By Editor
A Nigerian healthcare professional, Dr. Zainab Suleiman Buhari, has issued a passionate appeal to expectant mothers, warning against the growing reliance on unverified home remedies, herbal mixtures and social media advice during pregnancy, saying such practices may contribute to avoidable stillbirths and maternal complications.
In a public message titled "She Was Kicking Minutes Ago," shared via her Facebook page the doctor recounted a recent experience in a hospital ward where a woman, who had arrived at 38 weeks of pregnancy with a seemingly healthy baby, tragically lost the child shortly before delivery.
According to her, the grieving husband repeatedly asked, "Mama was fine this morning. She was kicking. What happened?"—a question she described as a painful reminder of the silent tragedies occurring in maternity wards.
Dr. Buhari argued that many pregnant women are increasingly turning to advice from social media platforms, family members and traditional remedies in an attempt to induce or ease labour, often without medical supervision.
She warned that taking herbal concoctions, labour-inducing teas, roots or unapproved medications could overstimulate the uterus, causing contractions that are too strong and too frequent, a condition known medically as uterine hyperstimulation. According to her, this may reduce the baby's oxygen supply, increase the risk of placental complications and, in severe cases, result in stillbirth.
The doctor also cautioned that excessive stimulation before delivery may weaken the uterus, increasing the risk of heavy bleeding after childbirth, retained placenta and other life-threatening complications for mothers.
Beyond the use of unapproved substances, she highlighted other practices that could place pregnancies at risk, including skipping antenatal care (ANC), sleeping flat on the back during late pregnancy, hiding symptoms from healthcare workers and relying on internet advice instead of medical professionals.
Dr. Buhari stressed that reduced fetal movement, bleeding, severe headaches, swelling or the breaking of the water before labour should never be ignored or treated with online advice alone, urging expectant mothers to seek immediate medical attention.
She emphasized that antenatal care remains one of the most effective ways to detect complications early, noting that healthcare workers are better equipped to assess each pregnancy based on medical history, blood pressure, ultrasound findings and fetal growth.
As part of her recommendations, she advised pregnant women to register early for antenatal care, attend clinic appointments consistently, monitor their baby's movements from the third trimester, sleep on their left side where possible, avoid taking any labour-inducing substance without medical approval, and report to hospital promptly when labour begins or when warning signs appear.
While acknowledging the fears, pressures and anxiety many expectant mothers experience, Dr. Buhari appealed for greater trust in trained healthcare providers rather than unverified advice circulating online or through informal networks.
She concluded by urging families and communities to support pregnant women in seeking professional medical care, emphasizing that many pregnancy-related deaths and stillbirths can be prevented through timely intervention and adherence to established maternal healthcare guidelines.
The doctor's message has resonated widely on social media, sparking renewed conversations about maternal health, antenatal care and the need for stronger public awareness on safe pregnancy practices.