Clearing the billows of myths around prenatal healthcare in Bihar

Santila Devi (20), of Chainpur village in Khara Block of district Saharsa, hails from a Mahadalit community. Married for two years, she is in the first trimester of her first pregnancy, but totally oblivious of pre-natal care and the benefits under the ICDS programme delivered through Anganwadi centres. Santila’s husband, Badri Sada, cared equally less about the matter. However, the situation changed for Santila Devi, when she became a member of a Mother’s Collective under the SUPOSHAN programme of Caritas India in her village, implemented by Prayas Gramin Vikas Samiti. She participated in the meetings conducted by the SUPOSHAN Health and Nutrition workers in her hamlet. Santila Devi was perplexed learning about the healthcare requirements that she lacked, more so because she had not been enrolled with the Anganwadi centre. Having lots of myths and misunderstanding about prenatal medication and vaccinations, she was instructed by her mother-in-law against it, lest the baby is harmed.

Refusing to settle down, she continued the dialogue with her husband and won his support to help her get enrolled in the Anganwadi to be able to birth a healthy baby. Badri Sada, got in touch with the SUPOSHAN Health & Nutrition Worker to have Santila enrolled at the Anganwadi, even though they feared caste discrimination at the centre. The SUPOSHAN Health & Nutrition Worker accompanied both Santila Devi and Badri Sada to the Anganwadi centre whereby the Anganwadi worker promptly proceeded with the formality of registration. Santila Devi’s perseverance and decision to birth to a healthy baby, got her to prevail over the obstacles strewn in her way.

Through the detailed discussions, the billows of misinformation and superstition around prenatal vaccinations and iron and calcium supplements were cleared. The service seeking behaviour after becoming aware of her right and entitlements set an example for other women in her village. She now is a regular face in Mothers’ Collective meetings and at the Anganwadi centre, learning about healthcare, nutrition and child care. Today, she also is a change agent in her community, motivating other pregnant and lactating women to secure the healthcare services meant for them to have safe deliveries and healthy babies.