Table 2 Patterns of prenatal use of TM within the study population
Intervention | Dosing regimen | Indication(s) |
|---|---|---|
Holy water | Drunk in 3rd trimester or throughout pregnancy in amounts which are at the patient’s discretion. | · For protection against evil spirits |
· For a safe and uneventful delivery | ||
Soil from burrowing mole | Soil is mixed with water and the supernatant is drunk in varying amounts in the 3rd trimester | For widening of birth canal to avoid perineal tearing |
Pouzolzia mixta (nhanzva) | Aqueous extract of root is applied intravaginally in 3rd trimester, usually with manual exercises to dilate the birth canal. | For widening of birth canal to avoid perineal tearing |
Elephant Dung | Dung is mixed with water and variable amounts of the supernatant are drunk during the 3rd trimester | For widening of birth canal to avoid perineal tearing |
Unknown herbs/concoctions | Unspecified amounts are taken during the 3rd trimester or even during labour | · For widening of birth canal |
· For labour induction | ||
Manual exercises | Performed by hand lubricated with oil, soap, warm water or Poulozozia mixta, in 3rd trimester | Dilation of birth canal to avoid tearing |
Abelmoschus esculuntus (Okra/derere) | Cooked and taken orally in the 3rd trimester. | · Nutrition |
· Widening of birth canal | ||
Hot water/steam baths | Taken inconsistently during the 3rd trimester | Birth canal dilatation |
Cannabis sativum (mbanje) | Aqueous extract is drunk as soon as labour commences | Labour induction to speed up the labour |
Dicerocaryum zanguebarium (ruredzo) | Administered both orally and intravaginally in the 3rd trimester | Widening of birth canal to avoid tearing |
Castor oil | 5 ml taken at night daily in 3rd trimester | For constipation and labour induction |
Rooibos Tea | Taken frequently throughout the pregnancy | For widening of birth canal to avoid tearing |
Other* | Varying methods | Widening of birth canal and labour induction |