Thrissur: A 37-year-old woman died nearly two months after delivering her baby at home in Edakkazhiyur near Chavakkad, allegedly without medical supervision. The delivery was conducted by her husband using an acupuncture-based method.

The deceased, Muhseena, originally a native of Ollukkara, had been in critical condition since the delivery in early January. Her family alleged that she was subjected to prolonged domestic abuse by her husband, Ibrahim, an acupuncturist.

According to relatives, Muhseena was not taken to a hospital despite being due for delivery. Instead, her husband took the delivery at home. The newborn, a baby girl, died a day later due to a lack of proper medical care.

Family members said Muhseena's health deteriorated significantly after the delivery. They alleged that Ibrahim did not allow her to contact anyone. 

However, five days ago, she called her family. "She contacted us four to five days ago. When her father and sister reached the house, she was bleeding and in a critical condition," said Anas, her relative.

Her family further alleged that Ibrahim initially prevented them from taking her to a hospital. After a struggle, they managed to shift her to a nearby private hospital. She was later shifted to Thrissur Medical College Hospital. She died while undergoing treatment on Thursday morning.

Relatives also claimed that Muhseena had been isolated from her family since her marriage. "He did not allow her to maintain contact with us. The first thing Ibrahim did after their marriage was to sever the ties with her family," Anas alleged.

Muhseena had eight pregnancies, with four surviving children. A three-year-old daughter died last year, reportedly due to a heart condition. One pregnancy ended in abortion and another in stillbirth. The eighth was the one who died in January.

Chavakkad police have registered a case of unnatural death.

The incident is among similar cases reported in the state in recent years. In April last year, a woman died at her home in Chattiparambu in Malappuram following a home delivery.

According to Health Department data, Kerala recorded 2,931 home deliveries between 2019-20 and September 2024. During this period, 18 neonatal deaths and two maternal deaths were reported in home births, as per an RTI response received by Kulathur Jaisingh.

Data for 2023 shows that deliveries attended by relatives, others, or traditional birth attendants accounted for just 0.95 per cent of total births in the state, compared to 0.87 per cent in 2022.