<p>Picture used for representational purpose<br></p>

TRICHY: A pregnant woman with approaching delivery date disappeared with her family members from a primary health centre (PHC) despite pleas from doctors for her immediate hospitalisation. The curious incident happened in Vethiyangudi near Aranthangi when the woman identified as Aarayi, 52, wife of Anandan, 56, learned that she was pregnant on being treated for low hemoglobin.

Already a mother-of-nine, Aarayi was unaware that she was carrying her tenth after 13 years as she visited the PHC at Singavanam after developing uneasiness. Doctors said that she disappeared when they suggested immediate hospitalization and a birth control measure after the delivery.

She has been living with her husband and five of her children in a 60sqft house in Vethiyangudi near Aranthangi for over five years now. The nomadic family moved from place to place and never stayed anywhere for far too long. While four of her children are married and living with their family, Aarayi fell pregnant and was unaware of her physical developments. She was under the impression that she has attained menopause and would never bear a child again.

According to local residents, Aarayi delivered all her nine children at home and didn't want to go to hospital for her tenth delivery due on August 18. She might want to avoid doctors as PHC workers were insisting on her to undergo family planning surgery. Aarayi came to PHC with extremely low haemoglobin about four months ago. She was then taken to Pudukkottai Medical College Hospital where she was given two units of blood. Since then she has been missing only to found a couple months ago, M Ayyappan, medical officer Singavanam PHC, told TOI. "We found her two of months ago and took her to Aranthangi hospital. She disappeared from there too and was found again 10 days ago. Her blood pressure was high and we asked her to get admitted to Pudukkottai government hospital. She has been missing since then," said Singavanam.

