Abstract
Maternal mortality in childbirth in developing countries is still high. The study describes the qualitative methods used to
examine the knowledge, attitude, beliefs and behaviour related to nutrition and nutritional supplementation of pregnant
women. The role of village midwives and cadres? in relation to nutrition education resulted in improving nutritional
behaviour of pregnant women to some extent, but poverty and culture restricted the ability of pregnant women to access
better food. The study shows that the position of pregnant woman is low within the hierarchy of both the health care
system and the power structures of the broader community. Husbands, mothers-in-law, village midwives, cadres and
village leaders all have more power in determining nutrition during pregnancy. However, some women tried to eat
better and more nutritious food in secret, thereby subverting culture and the authority of husbands and mothers-in-law.
