Dad: I am not sure how I will manage

DHARNMATIE BEHARRY delivered three of her nine children in a wooden shack at Barrackpore which she called home. But the third time was to be her last, since on Friday morning she died shortly after self-delivering a baby boy. Police reports indicate that after Beharry delivered the infant, she cut the umbilical cord with an unsanitised scissors then tied the cord herself. But the moments after the birth of the child and the passing of the afterbirth will remain a mystery, since no one was with Beharry when the home delivery went drastically wrong. Police believe that Dharnmatie, 37, may have survived one hour after giving birth. Relatives suspect that she may have haemorrhaged to death. 

It is the second tragic death to strike the Beharry family this year, having to deal with the loss of the eldest boy, Randy, who died after being severely burnt in a canefield fire in March. Randy survived for three days in the Intensive Care Unit of the San Fernando General Hospital before succumbing to his injuries. Beharry’s husband, Nar-singh, now has to take on the role of father and mother to their children — Rodney, 17; Rajkumar, 15; Robert, 12; Wendy, 10; Richie, 7; Candace, nine; Rehanna, two and a half. Narsingh is yet to name the newest addition, but is considering “Randy” in his eldest son’s memory. The father provides for the family by planting a kitchen garden, and whatever little money he earns from selling goats, sheep. The 42-year-old man told Sunday Newsday is willing to take care of the children, but seems unsure of the road ahead. “I can’t say I am going to work and leave the children at home to see about themselves to go to school. I am not sure what I am going to do yet.”

On Friday, around 9am he left Dharnmatie, who was eight months pregnant, lying on the mattress, while he went out to attend to the animals. When Narsingh returned he found his wife had delivered the baby on her own, and their newborn son was at her side. Narsingh said the baby appeared in good health, but Dharnmatie was weak and “passing out.” Narsingh told Sunday Newsday: “She said her stomach was hurting, and asked for something to drink. We sent for a Lucozade and a Suppligen and she drank a little bit, but I felt like she going down.” Wendy, the oldest daughter, said she called a neighbour, and the two of them rushed to Dharnmatie’s side. “I was squeezing her foot and it was feeling cold,” the little girl said. Another neighbour telephoned the Emergency Health Services and were told an ambulance would be sent from San Fernando. When the ambulance arrived sometime after 1pm Dharnmatie was already dead. The paramedics examined the newborn baby boy and said he was in good health.
The child is warded at SFGH in stable condition. Barrackpore police are continuing investigations.