TN: Man prevents medical team from assisting daughter-in-law's delivery; arrested
A man was arrested in Tamil Nadu's Theni district after he and his family allegedly prevented a medical team from doing their duty as his daughter-in-law delivered a baby at home. Dhanushkodi, his wife Alagammal, and son Kannan (27) and other family members refused to allow a medical team and police personnel to extend any assistance and also threatened them during an argument.
Medical team not allowed entry into house
After learning that the family had opted for a domiciliary delivery, the medical team and police personnel went to the place on Thursday night and pleaded with Dhanushkodi and others to let them do their duty. Despite arguing with the family for a few hours, the medical team was not allowed entry. The family was warned about the dangers of performing delivery at home.
Family wanted only Siddha medical practitioners to provide treatment
Police said Dhanushkodi and other family members insisted that only practitioners of Siddha medicine would be allowed to give treatment. Later, a Siddha doctor removed the umbilical cord. "My wife agreed to deliver the baby at home. With her consent...the baby was delivered. In fact, most of the members in our family were born at home," Kannan said after Mahalakshmi delivered a boy.
Nobody died at home while delivering children: Husband
"Nobody died at home while delivering children. Mistakes can even occur in hospital. My wife, after the delivery, is working in the house without any tiredness," Kannan added. Dhanushkodi was arrested; a case was registered against Alagammal and Kannan for putting Mahalakshmi's life at risk.
Woman earlier died after giving birth to baby at home
Meanwhile, Deputy CM Panneerselvam said that the government would take steps to prevent such incidents. Earlier last month, a couple's planned delivery at home with the aid of social media videos went horribly wrong, leaving a 28-year-old woman dead after giving birth to a girl in Tirupur district. The woman died due to excessive bleeding after delivery assisted by her husband and two friends.
