Lukman Abdulmalik
In the bustling community of Kumbosto Local Government Area of Kano State, childbirth traditions continue to shape women’s choices, with many expectant mothers opting for home delivery rather than delivering their babies in the care of an expert in a hospital facility.
While some cling to cultural beliefs, others are breaking away, embracing health facilities and reaping the benefits.
In the community of Yankusa, a section of Kumbotso Local Government Area, deeply rooted traditions and myths about childbirth continue to influence women’s choices.
For generations, cultural beliefs have framed childbirth as a natural event that does not require medical intervention.
Some women in the community believe in the myth that traditional herbs and prayers are enough to ensure safe delivery, while others of religious inclination forbid male doctors from attending to women in labour, so home delivery is safer.
Others believe that giving birth at home proves their strength and womanhood, while others fear that hospital delivery is only necessary for women who are “weak” or facing complications.
In many cases, family elders and traditional birth attendants strongly encourage home births, reinforcing these notions.
For 27-year-old Aisha Musa, her third home delivery nearly cost her life.
Surrounded by relatives and guided by a traditional birth attendant, she struggled through prolonged labor without access to medical equipment or emergency support.
“I was in pain for many hours,” she recalled, her voice heavy with regret.
“By the time they decided to rush me to the hospital, I had already lost too much blood.
“It is only by God’s grace I survived.”
Her husband, Musa Abdullahi, admits he discouraged her from seeking hospital care.
“Our mothers gave birth at home, and they survived,” he said firmly.
“I believe God is the one who protects women during childbirth, not doctors.
“Besides, going to the hospital is expensive and unnecessary.”
But not everyone in Kumbosto shares that sentiment.
As myths and traditions continue to clash with modern medical realities, communities like Kumbosto face a critical choice: whether to cling to customs that endanger lives or embrace healthcare practices that ensure safe motherhood.
These myths, combined with limited access to healthcare facilities and mistrust of medical interventions, keep many women away from hospitals, exposing them to preventable risks such as prolonged labour, excessive bleeding, or infections.
Zainab Haruna, 30, a mother of three, insists hospital deliveries saved her and her babies from complications.
“My second child was born with the umbilical cord around his neck,” she recounted.
“If not for the doctors and nurses at Akth Primary Health Centre Kumbotso, I could have lost him.”
Her husband, Haruna Bello, supports her decision.
“I used to think hospitals were a waste of money,” he admitted.
“But seeing how they handled my wife’s difficult delivery changed my mind.
“Now I encourage other men in the community to support their wives to go for antenatal care and deliver in a hospital.”
Still, traditional birth attendants (TBAs) remain influential in the community.
Hajiya Rabi, who has been attending to pregnant women for over two decades.
She described her role: “Women trust me because I know the herbs and techniques passed down from my grandmother.
“I massage the women, prepare them with traditional medicine, and assist them during labor.
“If things get too difficult, then I advise them to go to the hospital.”
Health experts, however, warn against the risks associated with home delivery.
Dr. Ibrahim Adamu, a maternal health specialist in Kano, explained: “The danger with home births is that complications like prolonged labor, hemorrhage, or eclampsia can arise suddenly, and without immediate medical intervention, both mother and child may die.
“Hospitals provide skilled health workers, equipment, and emergency care.
“This is why we encourage pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics and deliver in safe environments.”
He, however, warns that while cultural traditions are important, safe delivery under skilled medical supervision remains crucial to reducing maternal and infant deaths.
Dr. Adamu stresses that every pregnancy carries risks, even when it appears normal, and that trained health professionals are best equipped to handle emergencies.
As more awareness campaigns take root, women in Kumbotso and across Kano are beginning to question these long-standing beliefs, with a growing number seeking antenatal care and safe delivery options in hospitals.
But overcoming childbirth myths requires not only education but also sustained community engagement with traditional and religious leaders who remain highly influential in shaping maternal health choices.
Today, with increased awareness of dismantling myths associated with home delivery, Aisha Musa, who gave birth to her fourth child in a health facility, has found it to be the safest decision she has ever made.
After experiencing complications during labor at home, she was quickly rushed to AKTH Primary Health Centre Kumbotso and attended to by trained midwives, who provided the necessary medical support and ensured both she and her baby came out healthy.
“I cannot imagine what would have happened if I had stayed at home,” Aisha said, cradling her newborn with a smile.
“The nurses monitored me closely, and when the pain became unbearable, they knew exactly what to do. I felt safe every step of the way.”
Her husband, Musa Abdullahi, who once believed home delivery was the better option, admitted the hospital experience changed his perspective.
“I used to say our mothers gave birth at home and survived, but I now see the difference,” he confessed.
“At the hospital, they saved my wife from excessive bleeding, and our child is healthy. It was worth every naira we spent.”
In Kumbotso, where many women still rely on traditional birth attendants, Aisha’s story is a reminder that safe delivery in a health facility can prevent avoidable complications and save lives.
Experts say giving birth in a health facility provides several advantages, such as access to skilled professionals, a variety of pain management options, continuous monitoring of the mother and baby’s health, specialized care for high-risk pregnancies, and the availability of neonatal intensive care units when needed.
Every pregnancy deserves care, every birth deserves safety.
