Applying cow dung into vaginas dangerous, gynaecologist warns pregnant women

A Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State, Dr. Labaran Aliyu has admonished pregnant women and newly-weds to desist from partaking in harmful traditional practice.

Aliyu was reacting to viral reports of women rubbing cow dung into vaginas during labour with the hope that it would ease the process of delivery.

The Professor of Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Bayero University, Kano, explained, “For example, the practice of putting cow dung in the vagina goes on in some communities in Kano State. Some women apply it to their private part with the belief that when labour becomes problematic, it will enable the baby to come out effortlessly.”

Continuing, Aliyu said that the practice is wrong and that it will rather expose the women to the risk of infection and tetanus.

The expert also frowned at the myth of flogging out evil spirit of eclampsia.

She also disclosed that when some pregnant women develop eclampsia [a condition in which one or more convulsions occur in a pregnant woman suffering from high blood pressure, often followed by coma and posing a threat to the health of mother and baby], concerned relations will prepare concoction and feed the woman, with the hope that it will relieve her.

“This is a bad practice actually,” Aliyu warned, adding, “They feel that eclampsia is caused by evil spirits, so, they invite a native doctor to come and make incantations.

“The native doctor will come with a cane and start beating the woman, thinking that by so doing, the evil spirit will leave her.”

The gynaecologist noted that these cultural beliefs and practices contribute to maternal and infant mortality in the country, warning that some of these practices do not allow the woman to access antenatal care.