Doctors from the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) are worried about many pregnant women in the country choosing to give birth with untrained midwives instead of going to the hospital.
The doctors said this choice is dangerous for the women and can cause lifelong problems. They want everyone to know this is not a good idea.
Two doctors, Dr. Jonah Egbe and Dr. Ofem Ofem, talked about this on a radio show called Hello Doctor. They said only a few pregnant women who go to health centers for check-ups actually give birth there. Most of them end up at places run by untrained midwives or traditional birth attendants (TBAs).
Dr. Egbe said if 50 pregnant women register at a health center, less than ten will give birth there.
“Many women choose to give birth with untrained midwives at churches or traditional birth attendants,” he said. “This is not about hospital costs. Many women have wrong beliefs about the services at TBAs, told to them by older women. These untrained midwives often give wrong medicines that can cause serious problems.”
Dr. Egbe also mentioned that some trained health workers are trying to teach the TBAs because there are not enough trained doctors and nurses in hospitals.
“We really want pregnant women to go to the hospital and see trained doctors early,” he said. “Do not wait until it is too late and dangerous.”
He added that families should prepare early for the birth of a baby.
He warned people about fake doctors who are not registered and have fake clinics. People should stay away from these places.
