Pregnant Chinese mum commits suicide at 41 weeks

She was more than 41 weeks pregnant when she decided to end her life.

According to the South China Morning Post, 26-year-old Ma Rongrong was told that vaginal delivery would be tough, considering the large head circumference of her baby. It seems, doctors at Yulin No 1 Hospital in Shaanxi Province, northern China, had recommended a C-section delivery instead.

However, Ma's family was against a C-section delivery. Under Chinese law, medical institutions must get consent from patients, and a signature from a family member before any medical surgery is carried out, based on a regulation released by the State Council, China's Cabinet.

In case of emergencies though, doctors can make decisions without consent.

Last Thursday, Ma was transferred to the delivery room, and she was in great pain.

According to the hospital, "The pregnant woman twice walked out of the ward to tell her family that she wanted a caesarean because she could no longer bear the pain, but the family continued to insist on a natural delivery.”

Hospital staff tried persuading the family as well, but they apparently insisted on natural birth.

Finally, at about 8 pm, Ma fell from the 5th floor of the hospital - to her death. Her baby died as well.

Initial investigations reveal that it was suicide.

Now, the family has disputed the hospital's statement.

Yan Zhuangzhuang, Ma's husband, has said in his statement that Ma had asked to have a C-section and he had agreed immediately. He also said that the doctor had checked Ma's condition and said she was going to give birth soon, and did not need a C-section.

Almost an hour later, he was informed by the nurse that Ma was not to be found. According to his statement, he later saw Ma's body being lifted from the ground and put onto a stretcher.

Whatever the case, the incident has sparked shock and outrage in China, and people have called for more rights for women, especially when it came to mums.

A popular sentiment was, "Apart from the pregnant woman, nobody else should have had a say.”

Gong Xiaoming, a gynaecologist at Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, feels that it is a pregnant woman's right whether to have a natural birth or C-section.

He has been quoted as China Daily as saying, "In reality, in many cases in China the decision to have a C-section is made by the patients' family members and doctors." 

(Source: SCMP, China Daily)

This article is republished with permission from theAsianparent.