Menstruation stopped after conception. This was an early sign of pregnancy.  Other symptoms were dizziness, insomnia, and desire for sour foods. Nausea and vomiting began in the second month. The first to know about the new baby was the father, then the family. The mother that was interviewed had the use of a MD only twice in fourteen pregnancies.  These visits were due to prolonged nausea, vomiting, and weight loss during the first trimester of childbearing. Of the fourteen pregnancies, there were eleven live births, two miscarriages, and one death. At the M.D. visit,  stomach massage was done and medications for nausea/vomiting and weight loss were given. No changes in daily activities were practiced.  The woman continued her normal pattern, such as planting, harvesting rice, cooking and caring for the rest of the family.

There were no Sonograms available, but at the fifth month the mother could determine the sex of the baby. If she felt the elbow and arm touching the right side of her womb and the stomach was not round, the baby would be a boy. For a girl, she felt the elbow and arm touching the left side of the womb and the stomach was round.

The father was always present during the pregnancy. There were no restrictions on foods and activities during pregnancy.  During some pregnancies, the mother interviewed loved hot spicy foods. However, during third pregnancy she could not tolerate the smell of fresh red chilies. There was no special clothing used except for larger shirts and sarongs.

All of the fourteen births were at home (a thatch roofed building made of bamboo and set on stilts above the Mekong flood plain). When labor began all of the family members were present as well as a very old midwife. There were no medications given to lessen the pain. When the process of birth was ready to start, a rope was tied to the roof of the house and covered in soft cloth, then a nest was built under the rope. When the mother goes into labor she kneels down and grabs onto the rope. As labor progresses she pulls herself up the rope keeping the knees straddling the nest. In the second stage of labor the baby will drop into the nest. If the placenta did not come out in less than five minutes, the midwife took measures that forced her to gag so the placenta would come out.

During the first twenty eight days after delivery of the baby, there were some restrictions imposed by the midwife, including no exposure to cold, no intercourse for at least 60 days, diet is to be only roasted ginger, sticky rice, and roasted chicken. She was instructed to keep herself and the baby warm, This was done by letting the mother and infant lay down on a Bamboo bench built over a wood fire high enough so as not to burn them and ventilate the smoke. This was done for twenty four hours a day for twenty- eight postpartum days. She had to drink only plain hot water or teas made from roots and herbs. The tea color was dark red. This tea is supposed to prevent hemorrhage. During this period she was advised to keep her body dry, as it was believed this helped in the elimination of bad blood and body fluids. Right after birth she was set on a mound of warm salt; this helped to relieve pain and reduce the possibilities of edema in the perineal and anal areas. Also she had to take warm showers and baths. She would inhale vapors made with boiling water and selected herbs two to three times a day during this period. This was done to insure that all blood clots would be removed.