Expectant mothers in Limuru have been advised to give birth in hospital instead of at home to avoid complications as the government had waived maternity fees.
Speaking at Limuru Health Centre on Tuesday , the deputy nursing officer Ms Agnetta Nduta, warned the mothers against home births saying it posed a risk to their health and that of the baby.
Nduta cited delivery complications like excessive bleeding which when occurs can only be properly contained in the hospital.
She said that if careful measures were not taken, home delivery risks the placenta being stuck on the wall of the uterus which in turn contributes to excessive bleeding.
She also said that when a mother who is infected with HIV/AIDS gives birth while at home, she was prone to infecting her newborn but if the delivery took place at a health centre, the baby would be protected against transmission during delivery.
Furthermore, the nursing officer noted that hygienic conditions at home do not meet required standards and could cause infections to the baby’s navel which would require the baby to be treated, therefore exposing the baby to drugs at a very early stage in life.
She stressed the need for expectant mothers to overlook challenges faced in reaching the health centre and instead prioritise their health and that of the baby.
“When probed why they did not go to hospital for treatment, most of them say they did not have money to be transported to the centre or it was raining or it was late in the night,” said Nduta.
She encouraged them to save enough money prior to delivery that will fund their transport costs, and enable them to go to hospital as soon as labour starts.
The nursing officer disclaimed the assumption that there may be charges placed for delivery, stating all services in public health centres were free.
Nduta said to ensure hospital delivery is achieved and proper care given during pregnancy, the center works with community health workers who follow up on expectant mothers coming for clinic visits.
The centre archives their personal details like name, residence, landmark feature and village which helps them trace the mothers before and after delivery.