Table 2.
Description of types of support with examples of content
| Type of support | Content examples |
|---|---|
| Practical help with routine activities | Milked cows, prepared fishes |
| Cleaned and strained rice | |
| “Brought water from tubewell for cooking in big pots” | |
| Fed other children | |
| Washed clothes | |
| Went to market when husband not in the home | |
| Helped with heavy work during harvest season, husking paddy | |
| Made fire for cooking | |
| Information and advice | “Do not go to roof to hang clothes” |
| “When ill, take rest” | |
| “Give prayer five times a day” | |
| “Take food properly” | |
| “Do not work with cold water” | |
| “Do not stay in field at night because of evil spirits” | |
| “Keep a match with you when you go out at night” | |
| “Call husband to do heavy work” | |
| “Abide by father-in-law and mother-in-law, words they say” | |
| Emotional support and assurance | “Do not worry” “Chinta koro na” |
| Inquired about how she is feeling | |
| “Do not be tense” | |
| Gossiped | |
| “If you have a problem, I will go with you to facility” | |
| Talked with her when she feels unsure | |
| Massaged body with mustard oil | |
| Tell me if you have any physical problems, inform of discomfort or changes | |
| Monetary and material goods | Paid for urine test to confirm pregnancy |
| Bought and delivered medications | |
| Paid rickshaw fare to clinic | |
| Paid costs for antenatal care | |
| Paid kobiraj for amulets and rituals | |
| Saved money in case of complication | |
| Logistic communication | Went out to locate dai |
| Informed others in household of pregnancy and labour pains | |
| Phoned mother to come to marital home when labour started | |
| Went to find rickshaw-puller or country boatman | |
| Prayer and spiritual rituals | Gave holy blow and gave blessed water |
| Brought amulets from kobiraj | |
| Brought blessed molasses to increase labour pains | |
| Nutritional support | Gave milk and tea during labour pains |
| Brought special foods, such as grapes and guavas, from bazzar upon request | |
| Made foods she likes when sick | |
| Accompaniment | Accompanied and assisted with bathing in pond |
| Accompanied at night to latrine | |
| Accompanied to facility or met at facility | |
| Stayed at facility during labour |