Traditional care practices in the indigenous pregnancy-postpartum cycle in Latin America: an integrative review

Objective: To identify and analyze traditional care practices in the indigenous pregnancy-puerperium cycle in the Latin American context. Methodology: An integrative review was conducted in the MEDLINE, LILACS, and MOSAICO databases using the descriptors "Pregnancy," "Childbirth," "Postpartum Period," and "Indigenous Culture." Eligibility criteria were original articles published between 2020 and 2025, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, addressing traditional practices in the pregnancy-puerperium cycle. The final sample comprised 22 studies from nine Latin American countries. Results: The findings highlight the predominance of natural childbirth, the centrality of traditional midwives, the use of herbs, spiritual rituals, and specific dietary norms in the puerperium. The sacred dimension of the female body, the spirituality of birth, and community participation were identified as fundamental to care. Tensions persist between traditional knowledge and biomedical practices in public health services. Conclusion: Indigenous traditional practices constitute complex systems of maternal and child health care that transcend the biological body and reinforce community and spiritual bonds. The results support intercultural health training and guide public policies that recognize and integrate ancestral knowledge in a respectful and equitable manner.