Jewish perspectives on pregnancy and childbearing

There are approximately 6 million Jewish people in the United States today. They may be affiliated with the Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform streams of Jewish practice, or they may be secular and unaffiliated. Although religious practices and levels of observance among these streams of Judaism vary widely, nurses should become familiar with the religious traditions of Judaism in order to provide the most comprehensive care for a childbearing Jewish woman and her partner. This article describes the range of practices that may be observed, and offers information that may assist the nurse in providing culturally competent care. While it is important to tailor care to the individual needs of each childbearing couple, background knowledge of customs and traditions will help provide a basic context that can be used as a basis for understanding cultural variation and specific practices.