Home births still perceived as heroic despite risks

MWANZA: DESPITE the well-documented risks, some mothers in Magu District, Mwanza Region, continue to view home births as a symbol of strength and resilience, hindering efforts to reduce maternal mortality rates.

Many women in these situations delay seeking professional medical care, often leading to complications and unpredictable outcomes during childbirth.

Magu District’s Acting Public Health Education Coordinator, Mr Mussa Itembe, highlighted these challenges during a recent capacitybuilding seminar for health service providers and ward councillors, organised by the Humanity Amplify Organisation (HAO).

“Many mothers initially consult traditional midwives and healers for labour-inducing herbs, unaware of the harmful effects these can have on their uterus and unborn babies,” Mr Itembe explained.

“In numerous cases, the use of such herbs results in ruptured uteruses, causing heavy bleeding before, during or after delivery, which often lead to maternal deaths.”

He added that other contributing factors include short birth intervals, with some women having up to ten children in quick succession and poor clinic attendance.

“Instead of attending the recommended eight antenatal sessions, many women only visit the clinic once during their pregnancy,” he noted.

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Despite these challenges, Magu District has made progress in reducing maternal, unborn and newborn deaths, with numbers dropping from 120 in 2021/22 to 88 in 2023 and further to 71 by November last year.

Efforts include increasing public education on the importance of timely antenatal visits, delivering at health facilities and using family planning services.

HAO’s Evaluation and Statistics Officer, Ms Restistuta Jacob, stressed that addressing maternal deaths requires a collective effort from the entire community.

“This includes tackling early pregnancies, which contribute significantly to maternal deaths and addressing gender-based violence, particularly cases where girls are forced out of school into early marriages,” Ms Jacob said.

She outlined a joint strategic plan for public education aimed at preventing early marriages and pregnancies, raising awareness about reproductive health, and combating violence against victims.

Magu District Council’s Executive Director, Mr Mohamed Ramadhani, praised the initiative and urged the inclusion of men in these efforts.

“Men need to accompany their expectant wives to clinic sessions. Both parents must be informed about reproductive health to reduce the risk of maternal complications,” he advised