Despite readily available free maternal healthcare across public facilities in Edo State, a significant number of pregnant women continue to avoid formal antenatal services, opting instead for spiritual interventions and herbal treatments, according to a concerned midwife.
Mrs. Juliet Ede, an experienced midwife practicing in Benin City, raised the alarm during an interview, expressing worry over the persistent trend that puts both mothers and their unborn children at serious risk.
“Many expectant mothers still rely heavily on prayer houses for spiritual protection and turn to local herbs and remedies rather than seeking professional medical care at clinics,” Ede explained.
“They hold strong beliefs that prayers alone are sufficient. Unfortunately, by the time serious issues like severe bleeding or elevated blood pressure surface, the situation often becomes critical.”
She emphasized that regular antenatal visits play a vital role in identifying and addressing potential pregnancy complications early. These include conditions such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and placenta previa. Routine monitoring—such as regular blood pressure checks and urine analysis—allows healthcare providers to intervene promptly before problems escalate into emergencies.
In her own facility, Ede reported handling 20 deliveries in the previous month alone. Among these, five cases required referrals to higher-level care, while four were classified as near-miss incidents involving women who had received little to no antenatal monitoring.
“We had to dedicate considerable time and resources to stabilize these mothers,” she recalled. “Many of these complications could have been detected and managed much earlier with consistent check-ups.”
Beyond medical monitoring, antenatal clinics offer valuable support through health education sessions, advice on proper nutrition during pregnancy, and guidance on recognizing warning signs during both pregnancy and labor.
Ede particularly urged women with a history of pregnancy complications, hypertension, or diabetes to seek medical attention as soon as they confirm a pregnancy. She also strongly discouraged unassisted home births, noting that trained skilled birth attendants are equipped to handle unexpected emergencies during delivery.
Health professionals generally define antenatal care as a series of structured medical examinations, laboratory tests, and educational programs designed to safeguard the health of both the mother and baby throughout the pregnancy journey. Yet, in many parts of Edo State, late or complete non-registration for these services remains common, contributing to avoidable tragedies.
Several factors drive this low uptake, including misconceptions about costs, limited awareness, insufficient support from family members, and deeply rooted cultural or religious preferences. For instance, Mrs. Grace Ojo, a mother of three, admitted she postponed antenatal registration in her previous pregnancy because she assumed the services would be too expensive. Like many others facing financial pressures, she depended on suggestions from family and neighbors, only turning to hospitals when problems emerged.
However, Ede clarified that comprehensive maternal health services—including antenatal care, delivery support, postnatal follow-ups, and childhood immunizations—are provided free of charge at government Primary Health Care centers.
This is made possible through the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme’s Equity Plan, which is overseen by the Edo State Health Insurance Commission (EDHIC) under the leadership of its Director-General, Dr. Augusta Ikpea-Enaholo.
To address the gap, the midwife called for more robust public sensitization efforts to inform women about these free services and the importance of early registration. She appealed to various stakeholders—including government bodies, healthcare professionals, religious leaders, and traditional birth attendants—to collaborate in encouraging pregnant women to embrace professional care.
“Countless complications we encounter daily could be avoided if more women register early and maintain regular antenatal appointments,” Ede stressed. “Strengthening access to these services will go a long way in lowering rates of maternal and infant deaths across our communities.”