Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Public Health
• Anthropology

Background:

• Vulnerable populations, including indigenous women, often face unique challenges in accessing adequate prenatal care.
• Cultural perceptions of risk and daily practices significantly influence health behaviors during pregnancy.
• Understanding these practices is crucial for developing culturally sensitive maternal health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the daily practices of indigenous women for pregnancy care.
• To identify these practices as "everyday acts of resistance" against potential health risks.
• To understand how cultural context shapes maternal health behaviors in vulnerable communities.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative ethnomethodological study was conducted in Cuetzalan, Sierra Norte de Puebla, Mexico.
• Data collection involved 93 questionnaires and 67 semi-structured interviews with pregnant indigenous women.
• Critical discourse analysis was employed to interpret the findings.

Main Results:

• Three key everyday acts of resistance for pregnancy care were identified: community engagement, mobility for prenatal care, and traditional knowledge of pregnancy care.
• These collective actions represent preventive measures against morbidity, rooted in cultural risk perception.
• The findings highlight culturally-based preventive strategies within a socioeconomically vulnerable context.

Conclusions:

• The daily practices of indigenous women for pregnancy care should be recognized as immediate preventive actions for maternal health.
• These acts of resistance are vital for improving maternal health outcomes in marginalized communities.
• Healthcare providers and policymakers should acknowledge and integrate these cultural practices into maternal health strategies.