role in the health of the baby. Among several contributing factors, family structures play a pivotal
role in the well-being of a pregnant mother and her chances for a healthy pregnancy and a
normal baby. In the traditional society of Lao PDR, women have little independence to decide
their own future. For a pregnant mother to get medical support, she must wait for the decision
of her husband or other family members before consulting a medical doctor for a check-up of
her pregnancy status. The necessity of a nutritious diet and the extent of its availability is, except
in some rare situations, again dependent on the wishes of the family. Taken together, family
influence is the overriding factor on any woman’s decision making, even in pregnancy-related
issues.