Just like Shanti, all women of the village deliver their babies at home instead of visiting nearby health posts. The village is dependant on the two women, Parava Devi and Teitari Devi, for assistance on pregnancy related issues. Although they have not received the necessary training, they shoulder full responsibility for monitoring the welfare of pregnant women.Their mother-in-laws consider pregnant women these days to be very lucky. Not having to perform various household works and having enough food to eat are considered progress by them. "Pregnant women these days even receive bottled vitamins," said Shanti's mother-in-law, adding "we couldn't have imagined such facilities during our time."
Yet, Shanti's diet routine has not changed even after the childbirth. She was not informed she needs to take care of her diet. Her family also has not provided her with nutritious foods. Hence, she suffers from malnutrition. "I eat rice and potato curry, sometimes with lentils," she said.
According to Binda Devi, women's health worker in Amarpatti, Shanti's malnourished health resulted in the still birth of her first child. Her new born baby remains very weak because of her diet.
Parsa is one of the wealthier districts in the country as it holds significance economic and industrial importance ito Nepal. The district is known for its production of wheat, chicken, flour, vegetables, fish, and dairy products, among others commodities.
Even with this wealth, most families in the district do not provide nutritious diets for pregnant mothers. "Poverty and a lack of awareness about heath are the main cause of malnutrition in the district. Only a few families manage to provide nutritious food for pregnant women," said Sangita Panday, a local teacher. "The situations in underprivileged and dalit communities are even worse," she added.
Shanti's sister-in-law, Sunari Devi, 24, also lost a child to stillbirth as a result of malnutrition. Her mother, however, does not blame malnutrition as the cause of the death. She believes the death to be "God's will". According to her, only one of her four daughter-in-laws, Sonab Devi, gave birth in a hospital. However, both the mother and child died during the process.
The family does not consult doctors when a relative is pregnant. Her youngest daughter-in-law, eighteen-year-old Miniya Devi, is currently pregnant. Despite her pregnancy, Miniya receive the same diet as everyone else.
According to Raja Kuar Patel, chairman of Rural Information Centre of Parsa district, the situation is similar for almost all the families in the village.
Experts suggest that children born to malnourished mothers are themselves born weak. The child's mental and physical health is weakened, potentially stunting their development, said Dr. Shyam Sundar Das, nutrition expert.
Every village in the district has a health post to provide maternal consultation services. The government spends millions of rupees in the name of public health every year. However, the lack of awareness on issues of pregnancy, child birth and the availability of government facilities means those who need these services the most rarely get them.
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