By Ruth Serwaa Asare
Principal Midwifery Officer Felicia Martey Dodoo has raised alarm over the dangers pregnant women face in Ghana due to widespread misconceptions and delays in seeking medical care.
Speaking on GTV’s Breakfast Show, she emphasised that cultural beliefs and misinformation often put both mothers and unborn babies at risk.
“In our part of the world, many still think swollen feet means you are carrying a baby boy. But that is not the case, it could be a sign of pre-eclampsia, which is life-threatening if ignored,” she explained.
Madam Felicia noted that many families dismiss dangerous symptoms as “normal pregnancy signs” and resort to local remedies, only reporting to hospitals when the situation has become critical.
“We see women vomiting persistently to the point of dehydration, yet relatives insist it’s just part of pregnancy and it will resolve on its own. By the time they arrive at the hospital, both mother and baby’s lives are hanging by a thread,” she stressed.
She also highlighted the role of spiritual and traditional leaders in delaying timely care, particularly in cases that require caesarean sections.
“Some spiritual leaders will tell women not to allow a knife to touch their body, discouraging them from life-saving surgery. Others advise them to wait at home during labour, claiming midwives will cause unnecessary pain. Unfortunately, when they finally come in, it is often too late,” she lamented.
On the critical danger signs, Madam Felicia urged women and families to treat persistent headaches, blurred vision, excessive swelling, severe abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, or reduced foetal movement as red flags requiring urgent medical attention.
“Pregnancy is delicate. What we don’t want is delay, delay in deciding to come to the hospital, delay in arriving, or delay in receiving care. Every minute matters because two lives are at stake,” she cautioned.
She added that reduced or excessive foetal movements could also signal distress. “If your baby kicks less than ten times a day after 28 weeks, or if movements suddenly become excessive, don’t wait, report immediately,” she advised.
Her call serves as a reminder that while pregnancy is natural, it is not without risks. Recognising early warning signs and seeking prompt care could save countless mothers and babies across Ghana and Africa.
