In the cities, some women use birth control pills. During pregnancy and for childbirth, women seek help from a midwife and elders. The first month after childbirth is a time for a woman to regain her strength. She lies on a bamboo bed with a constant fire underneath, does not bathe, and drinks and eats only certain things. Other women care for the baby during this time.
Fresh herbs are hard to obtain, however.
Cupping, pinching and rubbing are practiced by many local Cambodians. Some will go to the Buddhist temple to get rid of bad spirits. Medical care and providers Some Cambodians in Seattle see Chinese doctors, since they use herbs as a treatment. Some see Vietnamese doctors, who, they say, require few tests and minimal physical examinations but will dispense medications freely, which is important to Cambodians. Many Cambodians are hesitant to let Western medical providers know that they are using other forms of health care because they think the provider will disapprove.