By Wasim Shaikh, Program Coordinator, CYDA
Supported by – Plan International
In the tribal areas of Nandurbar district, Maharashtra, many pregnant women still live with fear, traditional beliefs, and limited access to information. These challenges are often greater in families with many children. As a result, several women miss critical care during pregnancy, putting both mother and child at risk.
Regular antenatal care and skilled medical support are essential to reduce maternal and newborn deaths. They also help improve nutrition and ensure safer childbirth. While access to antenatal care in India has improved, many women still do not make full use of these services. Missed or irregular check-ups, long distances to health centres, lack of awareness, and limited resources continue to create barriers. These gaps in care often lead to unnecessary health problems for mothers and babies that could have been avoided with better care.
This gap can be reduced through a strong and collaborative approach. With the support of CYDA and community outreach workers, Phulibai Sangi Padavi from Danel village (under PHC Manwada in Nandurbar district) was able to overcome challenges and access critical maternal health services.
Phulibai, a 34-year-old woman from Danel village in Nandurbar district, was pregnant for the sixth time in mid-2019. Despite having several pregnancies, she had never visited an Anganwadi Centre or taken any iron and folic acid tablets, injections, or other medicines. All her previous deliveries had taken place at home, and she had never been enrolled in any government maternal or child health programme. She had also never attended a Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Day (VHSND) session.
The main reason for this was fear and lack of awareness. Phulibai was afraid of injections and believed she did not need medical help, as all her earlier deliveries had gone well without it. Her family, including her husband, also had little knowledge about the services available at Anganwadi Centres or the importance of regular check-ups during pregnancy. They did not trust the system and saw no reason to change their ways.
Recognizing the risk, CYDA’s grassroots team began working closely with Phulibai through regular visits and counselling. Manisha, a Community Nutrition Worker, took the lead in supporting her. She visited Phulibai’s home many times, spending time in open conversations with both her and her husband. During these visits, she explained the importance of antenatal care, the possible risks during pregnancy, and how proper medical support could protect both mother and baby.
To make the sessions more interesting, Manisha used short videos and interactive tools like the “butterfly game,” which explained complex topics in a simple and engaging way. These activities gradually reduced Phulibai’s fear and built her trust. Manisha also made sure to involve Phulibai’s husband in all discussions, helping him understand his role in ensuring his wife’s safety and encouraging him to accompany her to health check-ups.
One of the key challenges was Phulibai’s fear of injections. Manisha addressed this directly by talking about why certain medicines and injections are necessary, what to expect during check-ups, and how these small steps prevent significant health problems. By answering her questions patiently and listening to her worries, she helped reduce Phulibai’s anxiety.
As trust grew, Manisha helped Phulibai enroll at the Anganwadi Centre and get her Maternal and Child Health (MCH) card. She also guided her to attend the VHSND sessions, where antenatal check-ups are conducted regularly. Through continued follow-up, the team ensured that she received all the care she needed.
Over time, change began to show. Phulibai completed two antenatal check-ups and took her first iron sucrose injection. She also started taking iron and folic acid tablets regularly. She attended the health video sessions and the butterfly game activities organized by CYDA’s outreach team. Most importantly, her husband and family became supportive, accompanying her for medical visits and reminding her to follow the doctor’s advice. Her story shows how patient counselling, community engagement, and emotional support can help women overcome fear and access the healthcare they deserve.
