10 Children, 9 Home Births: How ASHA Workers Changed the Fate of a High-Risk Delivery in Damoh

Kusum Adivasi (38), a resident of Raneh village in the Hata block of Damoh district, has given birth to her tenth child. Both the mother and the newborn are healthy. The delivery took place at the Raneh Primary Health Centre (PHC) after health workers identified the pregnancy as high-risk.

According to health officials, Kusum had delivered her previous nine children at home. However, due to complications including anaemia and the risks associated with repeated home deliveries, ASHA workers advised institutional delivery. Acting on their recommendation, Kusum was admitted to the PHC, where she had a normal delivery on Thursday. The baby boy weighs 3.5 kg and is healthy.

Kusum’s husband, Nandram (43), a labourer, said the couple has been married for about 18 years. Their eldest child is 17 years old. The family now has three sons and seven daughters. Nandram stated that after the birth of their tenth child, they have decided not to have more children and have agreed to undergo a sterilisation procedure.

Devaki Kurmi, the nurse who conducted the delivery, said Kusum was categorised as a high-risk case. “She was brought to the hospital by an ASHA worker. Despite the risks, the delivery was normal, and both mother and child are completely safe,” she said.

Health officials said Kusum was initially reluctant to deliver at a hospital due to long-standing rural practices and a preference for home births. ASHA supervisor Kunti Chaurasia, along with ANM Kunti Chaurasia and ASHA worker Rajbai Lodhi, visited Kusum’s home regularly for nine months. They conducted health check-ups, provided nutritional guidance, explained the risks of home delivery, and reassured her about the safety of government health facilities.

Kusum said that without the repeated efforts of ASHA workers, she would have delivered at home again. “I now understand the benefits of hospital delivery. It ensured the safety of both me and my child,” she said, expressing gratitude to the health staff.

ASHA supervisor Kunti Chaurasia confirmed that convincing Kusum was challenging. “Her tenth pregnancy was risky, and she was not ready to come to the hospital. Continuous counselling helped, and finally she agreed. The delivery at Raneh PHC was safe,” she said.