Myths deter pregnant mothers from antenatal

Some expectant mothers in Central Province delay to start anti0natal sessions due to a myth that their pregnancy could “disappear in thin air”. Principal Nursing Officer under mental child Health Clemmy Sooka said this unfounded myth was common in rural area.

She also said some women were afraid of embarrassment in case they had a miscarriage after publicising their pregnancies by starting antenatal visits early before the pregnancies were visible to everyone.

"Some expectant mothers fear to start antenatal early thinking that what if I have a miscarriage when I have already announced am pregnant, but all these are myths which are not medically proven," she said.

Ms Sooka, who was speaking in an interview with the Daily Nation during the provincial agriculture and commercial show in Chisamba, said starting antenatal early was beneficial to both the expectant mother and the unborn baby and also guaranteed safe and heathy delivery.

She said the provincial medical office had since engaged community health workers to demystify the unfounded beliefs surrounding early pregnancies and to encourage the expectant mothers to start antenatal early.

Traditional leaders had also been engaged to come up with by- laws compelling pregnant women to start antenatal visits early because subjects heed when chiefs spoke, she added.