Biomedical facts and social constructs: The relative attention paid to prenatal and postpartum periods in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, a well-organized system of maternal and child health services provides care to mothers and children. However, the services provided before delivery differ markedly from those following delivery, when most of the care and attention is bestowed on the newborn and not on the mother. This difference may be seen with regard to both the formal health delivery system and the general attention given to the mother by the family. Although the pregnant mother receives attention from the maternal health services, it is not for the mother herself, but rather because she is carrying the baby. This is not surprising in a society where a woman’s main role is childbearing and child-rearing — a role that the mothers themselves accept. But because of such attitudes, mothers do not receive the necessary care during the postpartum period from the formal health delivery system, their families or even from themselves.