Ntungamo Health Workers Warn Pregnant Mothers Against Herbal Medicines Over Complication Risks

Health workers in Ntungamo District have cautioned pregnant women against using traditional herbal medicines during pregnancy and labour, warning that the practice is linked to serious maternal and newborn complications, including ruptured uterus, infections and increased caesarean deliveries.

Health workers in Ntungamo District have warned pregnant mothers against the use of traditional herbal medicines, saying the practice is contributing to severe maternal and newborn complications and a rise in caesarean section deliveries in public health facilities.

Medical professionals say some expectant mothers continue to rely on unregulated herbal remedies during pregnancy and labour, a trend they link to preventable but life-threatening conditions such as ruptured uterus, heavy bleeding, infections and fetal distress.

“We don’t advise herbal medicine due to its effects on the mother and fetus,” said Rose Kanyesigye, a midwife at Rwashamaire Health Centre IV.

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“Herbal medicine brings strong contractions and in case the mother is not fully ready to push the baby, they are so dangerous because they can cause ruptured uterus, bleeding before and after delivery. Those herbal medicines are so dangerous.”

She added that babies are also at risk during labour when such substances are used.

“For the baby, they normally get fetal distress. When contractions are strong, the baby can be distressed and tired. These herbal medicines also bring infections especially on the baby,” she said.

Health workers report that complications linked to herbal use are increasingly contributing to surgical deliveries, as mothers often arrive at health facilities with advanced labour complications.

Dr Sebastian Mulumba, the in-charge of Kitwe Health Centre IV, said herbal medicine use is among the factors driving rising caesarean section cases, alongside previous uterine scars and teenage pregnancies.

“Use of herbal drugs by mothers from the community makes them develop complications and they end up getting operated,” Dr Mulumba said.

He noted that although maternity services are offered free of charge, many complications being managed at the facility are preventable.

“We deliver mothers at our health facilities, which is free of charge. Those who fail to deliver normally we operate them free of charge with exception of severe complications that we refer to Itojo,” he said.

Dr Mulumba also cautioned against reliance on traditional herbalists, saying lack of standard dosage increases risks to both mothers and babies.

“About these herbalists, they are not certain about the exact amount of dose to give. That’s why the government puts health centres 3 and 4 so that people are attended to medically,” he said.

He further explained that women with previous caesarean scars are often advised to undergo repeat surgical delivery due to increased risks.

“The moment someone has reached two scars, in subsequent pregnancies, it is mandatory those ones have to be operated,” he noted.

Health workers continue to urge pregnant women to attend antenatal care regularly and deliver in health facilities, warning that reliance on herbal medicines and traditional birth attendants exposes mothers and babies to avoidable and potentially fatal complications.