Signing you in

During the consultation, the woman revealed that she already had five children, four daughters and one son, and had been married as a teenager in what she described as a child marriage. In the video, the doctor questioned the husband, “How old was she when she came to your house?” He replied, “She came to my house when she was 15-16 years old.”

According to the conversation, the family continued planning pregnancies partly because of the desire for more sons, with the husband reportedly saying that one son was “not enough” and that more children would mean more earning members in the future. The wife agreed that they want two sons instead of one.

Many users reacted to the video. One user wrote: “This is a cruel world for women.” Another mentioned: “Doctor ka patience level 👏 ek ladke se kuch nai hota ?? Kitne ladke chahye to sab kuch hoga pucho inseee (One son won’t be enough? How many sons do they need for things to happen, someone ask them).” A third person pointed out, “She became a mother before becoming an adult.”

The incident raises broader concerns not only about maternal health risks but also about the emotional burden women may experience when repeated pregnancies are shaped by family expectations, son preference, or limited reproductive autonomy.

She adds that frequent pregnancies are also associated with a higher risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight babies, pregnancy-related hypertension, and complications during delivery. From a maternal health perspective, appropriate birth spacing is critical for both the mother’s well-being and the baby’s outcomes.

According to Cadabam, meaningful change begins by shifting conversations from reproductive outcomes to reproductive rights and well-being. “Mental health professionals can help families understand that decisions around childbearing should be collaborative, informed, and respectful of a woman’s physical and emotional health. Community leaders, healthcare workers, and educators also play an important role in normalising discussions around consent, shared responsibility, and gender equity.”

Creating safe spaces where women can voice concerns without fear of judgment is essential. “When families recognise that a woman’s mental health is as important as her reproductive role, healthier and more supportive decision-making becomes possible,” concludes the expert.