Chennai Couple delivers baby at home using WhatsApp group advice, case filed
Chennai: A Chennai couple has come under scrutiny after they decided to deliver their baby at home with the help of a WhatsApp group, rather than seeking medical assistance at a hospital.
The couple identified a 36-year-old earthmover operator and his 32-year-old wife, and they already have two daughters, aged eight and four. Despite this being their third pregnancy, the couple chose this unconventional path.
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Their decision has sparked alarm among health authorities and raised serious concerns about the growing reliance on unverified online resources for critical health decisions. According to the reports, the couple sought guidance from a WhatsApp group called "Home Birth Experiences," a platform with over 1,000 members sharing tips, videos, and visual guides on natural childbirth. The couple chose to avoid routine pregnancy check-ups and maternity care, relying entirely on the guidance offered by the online group. When the woman went into labor on November 17, the couple decided to stay at home, with the husband assisting throughout the delivery process.
The husband was actively involved in the delivery process. Once the baby was delivered, the couple shared a photo of the newborn on social media, quickly gaining local health authorities' attention. Alarmed by the decision to forgo medical assistance, the Public Health Officer filed a police complaint, highlighting the severe risks posed by the couple's actions.
Speaking about deliveries the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Dr T S Selvavinayagam told TNIE that any birth could become an emergency even if a woman weren’t in the high-risk category. He explained that if emergency obstetric care within the needed time wasn’t provided, it could lead to more complications for both the mother and the child.
Dr Selvavinayagam highlighted the risks mothers face during childbirth, including obstructed labor, postpartum hemorrhage, and infections in the reproductive tract. For newborns, risks include asphyxia (lack of oxygen), physical injuries during the delivery process, and infections. These complications can be difficult to manage without the proper medical infrastructure, such as trained personnel and emergency obstetric care.
Selvavinayagam also pointed out the difference between natural birth and home birth stating that natural delivery can be promoted in institutions with suitable contingency plans to handle any emergencies.
Following the incident, local health authorities are taking steps to ensure that both the mother and baby receive proper medical care and their well-being is maintained. Health officials are considering how to better regulate and monitor online spaces to prevent them from endangering public health. Additionally, they are discussing potential legal actions to prevent similar situations in the future.
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As per the recent media report in TOI, in response to this incident, health officials are also planning to launch proper awareness campaigns to educate the public about the major dangers of depending and trusting on unverified medical advice on social media and other online platforms, such as this group. They emphasize that seeking professional guidance is not a non-negotiable during pregnancy and childbirth.
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