Trippy Aneeta

  During my time at CMSK JCMB, the statement by Sheila Kitzinger in the foreword of the book Birth Reborn, “Birth is a political issue. It concerns every woman’s right to give birth in freedom and in a loving environment,” resonated with me. More than any other speciality, what happens during Antenatal Care, Intrapartum Period in a Labour Room, Postnatal Care, largely reflects how a community treats their women- how much freedom and autonomy the women have regarding their choice; to conceive, their diet, the so-called “need” for labour room violence (verbal and physical) for proper delivery, choice of place for checkups and delivery. On Tuesdays, when the ANM visits for vaccination and the office is open to sanction Birth Certificates, the OPDs would usually be flooded with Postnatal Care mothers and neonates. Some mothers presented with a burning sensation on passing urine, fatigue. When asked about their diet, the majority replied that they don’t eat or drink anything past 4-5 ...

During my first month at Chetna Mahila Swasthya Kendra (JCMB) at Koromtanr Bokaro, I got the opportunity to witness three twin deliveries. The first two sets of twins being boys, and the last set of twins being girls. I still remember the happiness and excitement in the air while the first set of twins were born, as they were term and no complications. The second set being preterm (30weeks), both being boys and extremely LBW, with one of the boys passing away 3 days later and the other still fighting at 700g, was indeed sad. I got the honour of being the companion of the third mother with expectant twins. We got acquainted the night before her labour and did the head engagement exercises (something I learnt after coming to CMSK, JCMB) together, sharing our interests, likes and dislikes. She was a 20-year-old primi, residing with her husband and his family as a joint family. Though she had studied till Grade 12, she did not pursue further studies and was soon married off into a joint ...