Diya Krishna’s delivery: Why family support in hospital births a challenge for average Malayali women? Doctor explains

Reels on social media influencer Diya Krishna's recent childbirth, in the presence of her supportive family members, have been going viral on social media, attracting both supportive and critical comments. While conservative voices questioned many aspects, like the privacy of the woman to 'encashing' a birth for social media content, many were also quick to point out how the presence of her family would have been an immense consolation for Diya during her first delivery.

Women, who recounted their 'most horrible days ever' in their labour rooms due to rude staff who trivialised their experiences, also said on social media how they wished to have such a support system on their labour days. Various doctors on social media also highlighted how having a family can make a world of difference in a woman's birth story. According to Dr Raju Nair, Chief IVF Specialist at Mitera Hospital, Kottayam, while this isn't something to be glorified, we should view it as a necessity and understand the positives and negatives of a family's presence during childbirth. He explains: 

Is it safe?
A labour room or delivery suite is a sterile or semi-sterile room, and therefore, the presence of too many people can be risky, says Dr Raju. He explains, "In Mitera Hospital, for instance, we encourage the husband or the woman's mother to be with her for psychological support. At the same time, the presence of too many people in the room, while the woman's private parts are exposed or torn, may not be a good idea, especially in the final stage of the birth." He explains that while in Diya's birthing video, we see many people, it's likely that the stages shown in it are edited. "In the pre-labour stage, the presence of a woman's loved ones can be helpful. However, in the second stage of pregnancy, a doctor's comfort zone is also important as it's a risky process. Complications, such as the baby’s shoulder getting stuck, can occur during this stage. Too many bystanders can put doctors under pressure and make them panic," he explains.

Regardless, Dr Raju specifies that making labour rooms husband-friendly has many benefits. "Yes, there are complications. However, if the husband is given a proper briefing,  and the doctor is bold enough to handle the labour in a bystander's presence, it can help the woman going through childbirth immensely," he explains. 

Supportive labour rooms still a dream
Less than 10% of the labour rooms in our state can afford to be husband-friendly, due to the current lack of infrastructure, says the doctor. "Generally, there will be around three women in a labour room waiting for childbirth. In such a set-up, the presence of other bystanders might not be practical. Only in a one-to-one set-up can labour rooms be husband-friendly. In the present scenario, mostly private hospitals only can provide such facilities," Dr Raju explains. 

However, many people's attitudes towards childbirth are changing, he explains. "Unlike in the past, the younger generation, who typically have one or two children at most, wants to celebrate the occasion of childbirth. This is the reason why more boutique hospitals and premium labour delivery systems are getting popular. And therefore, it has a high pricing as well." That said, it's still a question of how many people can afford it, the doctor says. 

Labour room hygiene: How to stay sterile?
In Diya Krishna's birthing video, the family members are seen wearing their regular clothes. "I guess those shots might be added as part of editing. Ideally, the husband should wear everything a doctor wears, including gowns, aprons, and gloves. The woman in labour should also be in an operating theatre gown. Moreover, husbands need to be closer to their wives' faces for psychological support. They should be away from the part under the navel," explains the doctor.