Kerala woman doctor moves HC against home births

Amidst ongoing heated debate over home births, a woman doctor approached the High Court seeking proper guidelines and legal provisions, including penal consequences, to regulate home births in Kerala.

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The petitioner, Dr Prathibha K, a medical officer from Malappuram, expressedherconcernsabout therights of newborns, emphasising that every child deserves proper medical care and legal recognition at birth. In her petition, she said the absence of proper medical assistance, complications can arise, endangering both the mother and child. Newborns face increased risks of survival issues, seizures, and nervous system disorders, while mothers are vulnerable to cardiac arrest, severe bleeding, infections, and complications such as retained placenta. Citing repeated incidents of home births leading to complications leading to fatalities for both mother and child, DrPrathibha approached the court under Article 296 of the Constitution, seeking judicial i