Chennai man helps wife deliver 3rd child at home using info from WhatsApp group
After his wife delivered a healthy baby boy, the man shared the details of the event in the WhatsApp group. The news of this however reached the health department and a complaint was filed against the man.
CHENNAI: A stir was caused near Kundrathur in Chennai where a man assisted his wife in delivering a baby at their home instead of taking her to the hospital. He reportedly used information about traditional childbirth methods from a WhatsApp group.
After his wife delivered a healthy baby boy, the man shared the details of the event in the WhatsApp group. The news of this however reached the health department and a complaint was filed against the man.
The man identified as Mahendran, a native of Tiruvannamalai, lives with his family in a rented house in Nandampakkam, near Kundrathur. He works as a Poclain machine driver in the same area. Mahendran is married to Suganya (32), and they have two daughters, aged 8 and 4.
When Suganya became pregnant for the third time, she did not undergo any medical checkup and went into labour and delivered a baby boy on the 17th of this month. It is reported that Mahendran did not take his wife to the hospital but instead helped her deliver the baby at home.
Mahendran also shared the details of the delivery in a WhatsApp group he was a part of. When the news of this reached the local health officials in Kundrathur, they initiated an investigation and reported the matter to the Kundrathur police station.
The police then questioned Mahendran and examined his phone. They discovered that he was part of a WhatsApp group titled 'Experiences of Home Births.' The group had 1,024 members, and several posts with information and images related to home birth. It was also found that Mahendran had used this information to assist in his wife's delivery.
Since Suganya and the newborn baby are healthy, police let Mahendran off with a warning and advised him on the risks involved in home births. The local medical officer who reported the case also advised Mahendran on the proper procedures for childbirth.
The health department added that it will ensure that necessary medical assistance is provided to the mother and child.
Authorities also issued a warning against engaging in such dangerous practices and reminded people not to attempt similar actions.