Tamil Nadu couple face probe after baby born at home dies

PUDUKOTTAI: A young couple landed in trouble following the death of a baby boy born to them at home in a village in Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu. The woman’s husband and her mother-in-law conducted a normal delivery at home watching some YouTube channels.

Abhirami, 27, and her husband Rajasekar faced action from the office of deputy director of health services (DDHS), Aranthangi health unit, Dr P Vijayakumar.

According to the investigation report, Abhirami, who was nine months pregnant with her second child, experienced labour pains and gave birth to a baby boy at her residence in Periya Sengeerai village on Dec 11.

The newborn initially cried and was breastfed, according to the couple's statements to health department officials during questioning.

The baby became unconscious within an hour, and its body temperature dropped. The couple found that the infant had died. They buried the newborn adjacent to the grave of their first child on their property. Their first child died at the age of three months.

Officials received information on Wednesday night. Based on DDHS Dr Vijayakumar's directives, a team comprising the block medical officer (BMO) of Ponpethi, medical officer (MO) and village health nurse (VHN) visited the couple's residence on Wednesday evening.

The couple told them that their first child had died of a neural tumour, after which they avoided allopathic medicine. Rajasekar, a BE graduate, researched home delivery processes online. Abhirami holds a BSc degree.

DDHS reported on Thursday that the couple had declined to register at the additional primary health centre (PHC), Karur, for antenatal care (ANC) monitoring. The woman had previously received public health department care throughout her first pregnancy and delivery.

Regarding the mother's post-delivery condition, officials reported that Abhirami retained the placenta. Doctors transferred her to government hospital (GH) in Aranthangi for necessary medical treatment, where she currently remains under care.

Meanwhile, BMO Ponpethi filed a complaint against the couple at the Aavudaiyarkovil police station.


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