This community-based cross sectional study was carried out from MayAugustrn1997 in Adamitulu Woreda, East Shewa Zone, Oromiya Regional State.rnThe objective was to asses practices and beliefs during pregnancy and child birth,rnwith special emphasis to traditional practices, and to identify factors related withrnthem. Survey and focus group discussions were the techniques used to collectrndata. A total of 1023 women, 328 in Zeway town and 695 in the surroundingrnpeasant associations, were interviewed. The major harmful traditional practicesrnduring pregnancy were restriction of certain food items, and taking "kosso"rn(Hagenia abyssinica) for the treatment of Tape Worm infestation and for otherrnpurposes. During child birth, the major harmful traditional practices identifiedrnwere abdominal massage, and lubrication of birth canal with butter, usingrnunboiled materials to cut the umbilical cord, leaving the umbilical stump untied,rnapplication of materials (mud, soil, cow dung, butter) on the umbilical stump, andrngiving butter to the new born. The major harmful traditional practices afterrndelivery were delayed commencement of breast feeding, discarding colostrum,rnconfining the child from sun light, and application of hot metal to the child whenrnhe/she has abdominal cramp. The effects of sex during pregnancy, "Metaten"rnduring pregnancy, and drinking goat or sheep blood during delivery is not wellrnstudied that it is difficult to label them as useful, harmful or neutral.rnIn general, harmful traditional practices are highly prevalent in the area and - the effects of some of the traditional practices are ~~~Uill9~_n. _Ext!:!l.~".~rnhealth education towards the eradication of the identified harmful traditional -------....---.......---------rnpractices, further studies on the effects of traditional practices whose effect is notrnwell known, and similar studies in other areas is therefore recommended.