Motherhood may be a bliss, but for many women, who go into labour while descending from the highlands to escape the biting cold, delivering babies is a tortuous experience.

Abakati Thapa (Bhote) of Agaupani, Pandusen, is nine-month pregnant. Her family, has been living in Budhakot of Achham for the past five months. They travelled to the lowlands to escape the freezing cold of winter. Now she wants to return home for delivery, but is worried she might go into labour on the way back. Earlier, she had given birth twice while moving down to the plains, said a female health worker.

Thapa has never undergone health checkup during any of her pregnancies. Likewise, Tani Thapa of Agaupani had also given birth at Rapak of Budhiganga VDC, while descending to the plains in November. The newborn died after a few days due to unsafe delivery, cold and lack of sufficient nutrients.

The four of five children of Pakka Thapa, 45, of Martadi, were born on the same trail while migrating to lower altitudes. According to locals, it is common for Bhote women to give birth while travelling.

They don’t know that pregnant women need to consume iron pills regularly besides undergoing regular health checkup, they added. According to Nrip Thapa, Chairman of the Federation of Bhote Ethnic Nationalities, women of the mid and remote districts, including Bajura, Bajhang, Mugu, Humla and Jumla have been delivering babies while migrating to lower altitudes, which is very risky.

Meanwhile, Lachhu Bagati of Pandusen, said, they were compelled to deliver babies in the open due to poverty. “When we don’t have enough to eat, how can we afford medical check-up?” questioned Bagati. Madhu Shrestha, an ANM at Pandusen Health Post, said not a single Bhote woman had visited the health centre for parturition service in the last four years.”

Maternal as well as infant mortality rate has increased in the district due to lack of awareness about immunisation, regular health check-up and other medications. Two women died due to unsafe delivery in the district last year, Shrestha added.

Published on: 2 April 2014 | The Himalayan Times