By: Akanksha
On October 9, Dr. Hitarth Simaria uploaded a viral video about a case of an underweight infant in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) that sparked social media discussions about women’s health, repeated pregnancies, family planning and adoption.
The woman had undergone thirteen abortions and was pregnant for the fourteenth time, according to Dr. Simaria’s account. The patient’s medical history has not been independently verified. Dr. Simaria explained that he is posted in the NICU and came across a child who weighed only 1,000 grams.
He went on to express his concern about the mother’s physical and emotional well-being following repeated pregnancies and abortions.
He then urged the healthcare system to organize awareness programs about family planning and adoption.
Dr. Simaria posted this video on his Instagram account (@dr.hitarth_simaria). In the video, he said, “I’m currently posted in the NICU right now, and I just saw a G14, A13 patient’s child. The child is underweight, weighing around 1,000 grams.”
He explained the notation to the viewers by adding that the notation refers to the mother being pregnant for the fourteenth time and undergoing thirteen abortions.
Dr. Simaria then talked about the physical and emotional toll this series of pregnancies might have on the mother. He said, ‘I cannot begin to imagine the mental health of the mother, the amount of hormonal changes that a mother goes through, especially when an abortion occurs.’ He then emphasized that these repeated abortions can increase the risk of depression.
He emphasized the importance of increasing awareness about family planning. He added, ‘Let women live; it is not their sole purpose to bear children as if it is their job.’
He further noted the need to promote adoption and raise awareness about it. He concluded the video by saying that such cases can only happen in India and are deeply tragic.
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In the caption of the post, Dr. Simaria criticized the family’s attitude toward the mother’s health, writing, ‘Such a sickening mentality of Indian households. If a woman has undergone abortions THIRTEEN times, it's common sense to NOT make her undergo another pregnancy. So much awareness to spread in this country.”
Dr. Samaria further clarified the uncertainty surrounding about the mother’s intentions: ‘To prevent misinterpretation, it is not wise to assume here that the mother was not willing to try for a pregnancy for the 14th time. The decision could be hers as well; that remains unknown.’
The social media post sparked a strong emotional response online. One user commented that her soul dies a little when they sees a rural woman in labor rooms. While another remarked, ‘No one wants the mother, only the child.’
An abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by the removal of an embryo or fetus before viability. There are two main types of abortion:
Medical Abortions: Usually performed through ten weeks of pregnancy. It involves two drugs, mifepristone (blocks progesterone production), and misoprostol (induces contractions to expel the pregnancy).
Surgical abortions: Performed later in the first trimester or during the second pregnancy. It involves dilating the cervix and using suction or a tool called curette to remove pregnancy tissue from the uterus.
The World Health Organization's Abortion Care Guideline, second edition, published in October 2025, states that abortion is a safe healthcare intervention when an appropriate recommended method is used by someone with the necessary skills. Safe abortion should be distinguished from complications associated with unsafe abortion.3
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Uterine atony and Severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)
Placental previa (placenta overlying the internal cervical os), and placenta accreta spectrum (placenta invading deeply into or through the uterine myometrium)
Uterine rupture
Fetal malpresentations and obstructed labor
Maternal Depletion Syndrome : Severe iron-deficiency anemia, folate depletion, and bone demineralization.
Severe chronic anemia
Pelvic floor dysfunction and pelvic organ prolapse
Increased cardiovascular and endocrine strain.
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and Low Birth Weight
Preterm labor and delivery
Elevated perinatal mortality
The reported newborn weight of 1,000 grams would fall within the very low birth weight category if it refers to the weight at birth. The WHO defines low birth weight as less than 2,500 grams at birth. Gestational age and other clinical details are necessary to interpret the newborn's condition more fully.4
Reproductive coercion (RC) involves behaviors that interfere with a person's reproductive autonomy, including contraceptive sabotage, pressure to become pregnant or threats related to reproductive choices. Intimate partner violence can also affect a person's ability to make decisions about contraception and pregnancy. However, the circumstances of the woman in the viral NICU video are unknown, and reproductive coercion has not been established in this case.
A peer-reviewed study published in SSM - Population Health examined 1,770 married women aged 15–49 across 49 districts of Uttar Pradesh. Approximately 12% reported reproductive coercion by their husbands or in-laws.
Among women who experienced reproductive coercion, 36% reported that their most recent pregnancy was unintended. These findings provide regional evidence and should not be interpreted as a national prevalence estimate.1
India's National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), conducted in 2019–21, reported that the total unmet need for family planning among currently married women aged 15–49 was 9.4%. The findings highlight continuing gaps in family-planning needs and services.
The National Health Mission offers family-planning services that include contraceptive choices, birth spacing, postpartum contraception and post-abortion contraception. Access to these services can help women make informed decisions about whether and when to become pregnant. However, access to contraception alone may not be sufficient when a woman's reproductive choices are restricted by a partner or family member.
For women seeking to terminate a pregnancy, India's Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021, provides the legal framework governing abortion access. Adoption is a separate option for people considering parenthood and child welfare; it should not be presented as an alternative to contraception or abortion care.
In the case highlighted by Dr. Simaria, the mother's circumstances and intentions remain unknown. The broader issue is therefore not simply the number of pregnancies or abortions reported, but whether women have access to healthcare, accurate information and the freedom to make decisions about their reproductive lives.
References:
1. “Reproductive Coercion in Uttar Pradesh, India: Prevalence and Associations with Partner Violence and Reproductive Health.” SSM - Population Health 9 (2019): 100484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2019.100484
2. Press Information Bureau, Government of India. “Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021.” https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1787361&lang=2®=48
3. World Health Organization. Abortion Care Guideline. 2nd ed. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2025. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/B09573.
4. World Health Organization. “Low Birth Weight.” https://www.who.int/data/nutrition/nlis/info/low-birth-weight.
(Rh/APC/MSM)
