Baby dies after woman delivers at home 

A newborn died at Melur, near Thrissur, on Wednesday evening after a woman from Odisha delivered at home. The baby, born to Gulimaji and Sinanthi, died allegedly due to excessive bleeding from umbilical cord, as Sinanthi herself cut it after delivery.

Despite advice from Asha workers to go to hospital, the couple, residing in Karuvappady, allegedly refused medical help.

This was Sinanthi’s second pregnancy. Two days prior, Asha workers had instructed the couple to contact them if she went into labour. However, it is reported that Sinanthi began experiencing pain when her husband was away at work on Wednesday evening.

At the time of delivery, only her three-year-old child was with her at home. Sinanthi herself managed the delivery and cut the umbilical cord. When her husband returned from work, he found the mother and child in a pool of blood and immediately alerted health workers.

Though both the mother and child were rushed to the hospital the baby could not be saved. Sinanthi is at present receiving treatment at the Chalakudy Taluk Hospital. The couple, both construction workers, had moved to Melur from Odisha six months ago. Saneesh Kumar Joseph, MLA, has called for an inquiry into the incident.