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Precious Manomano Herald Reporter
A Health expert has warned pregnant women to seek antenatal care services from formal health institutions, saying it is both dangerous and life threatening to acquire services from untrained people who cannot predict dangers that may arise during delivery.

In an interview, Gynaecologist Dr Thulani Magwali urged women not to deliver at home.

“There are many problems that can occur during pregnancy, for instance, the baby can die inside the womb or the mother can develop serious complications,” he said.

Dr Magwali said pregnant women needed monitoring even during labour so that maternal deaths were averted.

“Such cases should be avoided and I urge expecting mothers to register their pregnancies on time so that complications are dealt with accordingly,” he said. “We are saying no to maternal deaths and expecting women should register early and go for antenatal care.

“Women should seek antenatal care early so that complications are identified and interventions made at the correct time.”

Apostolic sects have been also urged to seek help from formal health institutions to reduce chances of maternal deaths.

Union for the Development of Apostolic Churches (UDACIZA) secretary general Reverend Edson Tsvakayi said they were concerned with the rising cases of deaths of women delivering in homes with the help of unskilled birth attendants.

He said apostolic sects were not equipped enough to offer safe labour services.

“This places both the mother and child at risk because these homes are unsafe for deliveries, moreover we are not equipped enough to offer safe labour services,” said Rev Tsvakayi.

“We are appealing to all apostolic members to seek health services because we are continuing to lose more members due to birth complications.”

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has also developed and distributed information, education and communication materials that encourage pregnant women to book early and deliver in health facilities.