Vietnamese postpartum practices. Implications for nursing in the hospital setting.

Twenty Vietnamese families in Salt Lake City, Utah, were interviewed concerning postpartum practices. Results show that special dietary and activity proscriptions are widely accepted for Vietnamese primiparae and less rigidly accepted for multiparae. Activity proscriptions relate to the avoidance of cold, including drafts and showers, and avoidance of sexual intercourse. Bed rest and limitation of activity were also important to the subjects. Implications for nursing practice in the inpatient obstetrical unit are presented.