Medicinal plants used to induce labour and traditional techniques used in determination of onset of labour in pregnant women in Malawi: A case study of Mulanje District

Abstract

Malawi has one of the worst maternal mortality rates in the world with 984 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Modern healthcare facilities are not readily accessible hence substantial child deliveries are home-based. The study investigated how labour onset is determined in a village set up, how labour is hastened and medicinal plants used to hasten labour. Focus group discussions, key informants, participant observations and questionnaire interviews were employed. Twenty-seven signs used in ascertaining labour onset were documented. Vaginal water discharge was the most commonly mentioned. 94% of the respondents mentioned of eating maize porridge to hasten labour while the rest stated of drinking tea. The commonly used traditional pitocin was a group of plants locally called Mwanamphepo in Vitaceae family. The group is diverse and comprise genera likeAmpelocissus, Cyphostemma and Cissus. The concoctions are put in porridge when the woman is due for delivery. Since labour-hastening is alleged to be one of the lead causes of maternal mortality in Malawi, detailed studies are required to investigate whether Mwanamphepo plants are dangerous to health. Other methods of hastening labour and their implications on pregnancy outcome should be investigated so as to help women make informed choices when deciding to use labour hastening techniques. Key words: Maternal/child health, home-based healthcare, pregnancy/ labour/delivery, traditional birth attendants