Self-medication harmful during pregnancy, doctors warn

KABUL (Pajhwok): Obstetricians warn pregnant women against self-medication and say taking un-prescribed drugs can cause miscarriage, premature birth and malformations in babies.

According to doctors, the pregnancy period is nine months, the first trimester (three months) is sensitive and important due to the formation of the skeleton of the fetus, and the mother must be under special care.

Dr. Homa Niksir, an obstetrician and gynecologist in Qala-i-Naw City of Badghis province, told Pajhwok Afghan News that she had patients who suffered many problems during pregnancy due to arbitrary use of medicines and even some miscarried.

"The arbitrary use of drugs in pregnancy can cause many problems, including fetal growth restriction and premature births, and in some cases even lead to miscarriage," she added.

According to her, using medicines without a doctor's prescription can cause organ defects in the baby and can cause psychological problems as well.

Meanwhile, Dr. Sonita Bahram, an obstetrician and gynecologist at the Shafajo Health Center in Kabul's Wazir Akbar Khan locality, said the nine-month pregnancy period was divided into three stages, covering 37 weeks.

Calling this period as important, she advised mothers that besides refraining from arbitrarily taking drugs they should regularly walk during pregnancy, drink plenty of water and eat enough fruits, vegetables and nutritious foods.

He added: "Back pain, abdominal pain and pollen pain can subside by drinking 12 glasses of water.”

Pharmacies in Qala-i-Naw: Dozens buy medicines without prescription

Mohammad Yar, who sells medicines in Qala-i-Naw, said about two dozen people daily came to him to buy medicines without a prescription.

He added these people demand different medicines, including for headache, blood pressure, stomach pain, etc…

Sayed Aminullah, another medicine seller, said: “Many people come to us every day without having prescriptions they ask for painkiller, diarrhea, etc. but I do not sell medicine to anyone without a prescription; because every drug has its negative and side effects.”

Jahanshah, a resident of Badghis, who was in Qala-i-Naw to buy medicines from one of the farmacies, said he could not afford to see a doctor.

Mothers who use drugs arbitrarily during pregnancy

Bibi Gul, 45, is one of the mothers whose seven-year-old child has a neurological problem. She says t she used drugs arbitrarily during pregnancy and her child had a mental problem.

She added: "Doctors say I used drugs arbitrarily, which caused my son to have a mental retardation problem. I deeply regret using drugs arbitrarily”.”

Meanwhile, Halima, is another mother in Qala-i-Naw city who gave birth to a malformed daughter due to arbitrary use of drugs during pregnancy.

“One of my daughter's hands is crooked. The doctors say the use of drugs during pregnancy arbitrarily caused this problem.”

Dr. Ajab Khan Hamidi, deputy director of Badghis Public Health Department, told Pajhwok Afghan News that some families used medicines without consulting a doctor due to economic problems and low level of awareness.

He added they were constantly informing people through health teams at the Provincial Hospital and pharmacists had been instructed not to give medicines to anyone without a doctor's prescription.

He added the health teams of his department continuously monitored drug dealers and clinics in the center and districts of the province and deal the violators in accordance with the law.

sa/ma