Man delivers baby at home with online help, ignites public outcry

Kundrathur (The Uttam Hindu): A 36-year-old man and his 32-year-old wife recently delivered their baby at home in Kundrathur, relying entirely on advice from a WhatsApp group with over 1,000 members. This decision has attracted significant attention online and raised concerns among health authorities, prompting a police investigation.

Manoharan, an earthmover operator from Tiruvannamalai, and his wife Sukanya, who live in a rented house in Nandambakkam near Kundrathur, already have two daughters aged 8 and 4. According to te reports, Manoharan was part of a WhatsApp group called ‘Home Birth Experiences,’ where members shared advice and illustrations related to home deliveries. When Sukanya became pregnant with their third child, she chose to forgo medical check-ups throughout the pregnancy.

On November 17, when Sukanya unexpectedly went into labor, Manoharan decided to assist in the delivery at home using the information he had gathered from the WhatsApp group, instead of taking her to the hospital. After the birth, the area’s Public Health Officer lodged a complaint with the Kundrathur police, accusing Manoharan of violating medical safety regulations. A police investigation revealed that Manoharan was a member of the WhatsApp group, which contained detailed instructions on conducting home births. Authorities have now launched a formal inquiry into the matter, raising concerns about the safety and legality of relying on online advice for such a crucial medical event.