There are inherent risks in pregnancy and birth. The death of an Indian woman following a home birth is raising questions about accountability.The death of a 28-year-old private school teacher is making headlines throughout India. On July 22nd, a woman identified as K. Krithiga from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu went into labor. The second-time mother already had a five-year-old daughter. According to The Times of India, Krithiga and her husband, Karthikeyan, had decided upon a home birth for their second child. Related: How Can We Decrease Maternal Mortality Rates? The News Minute reports that the couple had received guidance from their friends, a married couple who believed strongly in natural medicine. The couple, Praveen and Lavanya, had a previous home birth and suggested that home births were better than hospital births. According to reports, the family prepared for the birth by educating themselves on social media. The family allegedly watched YouTube videos and searched for “normal delivery” on their phones and computers. Krithiga began having contractions at approximately 2 pm, according to police reports. After the birth of her baby, she was brought to the hospital due to excessive bleeding. Unable to deliver the placenta, the new mother died of massive hemorrhage before arriving at the hospital. The chief health officer of Tiruppur, K. Boopathy said, “The woman lost a lot of blood during the delivery and went into a physiological shock. That is why she collapsed and died.” Related: India Passes Historic Maternity Bill The police have since arrested the woman's husband and his friend, Praveen. While the case was initially deemed a suspicious death, it has been altered under Section 304A indicating that negligence caused Krithiga's death. According to reports, the husband was arrested due to the fact that did not take his wife to visit a doctor during her pregnancy, as well as opting for a home birth without adequate knowledge. The police indicate that the deceased woman's father had advised the couple to visit a doctor. “My daughter and her husband decided to try the natural way of childbirth like in older days without going to the hospital. Though my wife and I pleaded with them not to take the risk, Kiruthika stood firm in her decision and also convinced us. They learnt delivery techniques by watching YouTube,” Kiruthika's father Rajendran said. The two men will need to present their case in the magistrate court. It's unclear why the female friend was not arrested in the case. Krithiga's pregnancy was allegedly not registered with the Urban Primary Healthcare Centre, a requirement by the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act of 1939. While the maternal mortality rate in India has dropped significantly, India still accounts for 17% of all maternal deaths internationally. The post Indian Woman Dies Following Home Birth and Husband Held Accountable appeared first on Mothering.
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