Soaring costs and unsafe remedies threaten expectant mothers in Nigeria

By Oluwatoyin Hawal Momolosho –

Pregnancy in Nigeria is becoming a financial battle. For Biola Adetunji, an expectant mother based in Ibadan, pregnancy has become not only a journey of joy and anticipation but also one of serious financial strain. Like many Nigerian women today, Biola is grappling with the soaring cost of maternal healthcare.

“Pregnancy is not for the faint-hearted these days,” she tells Western Post. “It requires serious financial planning to ensure both mother and baby are comfortable.”

Biola, who is expecting to deliver in six months, describes how the cost of antenatal care has significantly increased. “Antenatal registration used to cost between ₦25,000 and ₦30,000, but I’ve already spent about ₦39,000 — that’s more than a ₦10,000 increase,” she laments.

Beyond the hospital bills, there are countless additional expenses. “There are essential items every pregnant woman needs to buy for delivery — underlays, cotton wool, sanitary pads, and several personal items. These are separate from what the hospital itself demands. It’s overwhelming,” Biola explains. “But despite the economy, procreation must go on.”

The rise of self-medication

Financial challenges have also pushed many expectant mothers towards self-medication — a practice that poses serious health risks but continues to thrive, especially in developing countries like Nigeria.

According to research published in the Frontiers online journal, pregnant women often turn to self-medication, particularly herbal remedies, due to their accessibility, affordability, and the perception that natural remedies are inherently safe. However, this assumption can be dangerously misleading.

The study reveals that globally, self-medication during pregnancy affects between 22% and 44% of women. In Africa, the numbers are even more alarming, ranging from 32% to as high as 85% in some areas. Specifically, Nigeria records a prevalence rate of 72.4%, the Democratic Republic of Congo 59.9%, and Tanzania 46.24%. In Southern Ethiopia’s Hossana Town, 73.1% of pregnant women admitted to using herbal medicine during pregnancy.

These practices are often fueled by advice from family, friends, or traditional healers. In Iran, for example, a systematic review of 33 studies found that 19.2% to 90.2% of pregnant women resort to herbal remedies to manage pregnancy discomforts.

Experts weigh in

Healthcare professionals are increasingly worried about this growing trend. Dr. Kingsley, who works with Geo Medical Center in Lagos, warns that many herbal remedies have not been scientifically tested for safety during pregnancy.

“Many women assume that because something is natural, it is harmless. But that’s a dangerous misconception,” Dr. Kingsley explains. “Some herbal preparations can lead to miscarriage, preterm labor, or even birth defects. They can also interact badly with prescribed medications.”

He emphasizes that more education is urgently needed to inform expectant mothers about the dangers of unsupervised drug use. “Every medication — whether conventional or herbal — should be cleared by a qualified healthcare provider during pregnancy.”

Nutritionist Mrs. Oluhuntobi highlights another driver behind self-medication: poverty. “When households face economic hardship, expectant mothers may prioritize other pressing family needs over medical appointments or prescribed drugs. Cheaper, readily available herbal options become the fallback, even if they are unsafe.”

A Call for Government Intervention

As the cost of living continues to rise in Nigeria, maternal healthcare becomes a growing concern. Experts stress the urgent need for government intervention to subsidize maternal services, regulate herbal medicine markets, and increase public awareness of the dangers of self-medication.

For women like Biola Adetunji, the hope remains simple: to deliver safely and raise a healthy child despite the challenges. But for countless others, the combination of financial strain and dangerous self-medication habits could turn pregnancy into a high-risk venture.