Bharatanatyam Artist Krupa Ravi Advocates for Respectful Maternal Care and Health Innovation
Childbirth is often described as nature's most profound miracle, a transformative experience bestowed upon women. Consequently, understanding the critical importance of maternal and neonatal healthcare is essential not only for women but also for their families and the broader community. Despite its significance, informed and supportive birthing practices remain under-discussed topics. In a dedicated effort to change this narrative, Krupa Ravi, a celebrated Bharatanatyam artist, strategy leader, and passionate advocate for respectful maternity care, is leading the charge.
Personal Journey Sparks Advocacy
In an exclusive interview, Krupa Ravi opened up about her personal experiences that fueled her advocacy. "My journey advocating for Respectful Maternal Care (RMC) and midwifery-led care stems from my personal experiences during the births of both my children," she explained. "Early in my first pregnancy, I visited several top doctors but, as a first-time mother, I was not informed about my choices. I didn't even know natural birthing was an option. I felt scared and uneasy with the doctors I consulted."
Her perspective shifted dramatically during the second trimester when she met Indie Kaur, a midwife, and Dr. Ragini Verma, an experienced obstetrician-gynecologist supportive of midwifery care. "I was introduced to Hypnobirthing at Fernandez Hospital in Hyderabad, which allowed me to involve my support system—my husband, brother, parents, and in-laws—in birthing classes. This built awareness and knowledge, turning them into my birth companions," Krupa shared. "After my positive RMC and natural birthing experiences, I vowed to advocate for this cause, ensuring all women receive RMC as a fundamental right."
Key Practices in Respectful Maternal Care
Krupa highlighted several evidence-based practices that are often overlooked but crucial for improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes:
- Birthing Positions: Allowing women to choose positions like all-fours, side-lying, or squatting instead of enforcing the lithotomy position for uneventful pregnancies.
- Post-Birth Practices: Emphasizing the golden hour, breast-crawl, Kangaroo Mother Care, and delayed cord-clamping.
- Newborn Care: Avoiding unnecessary episiotomies and immediate bathing to preserve microbiomes for the newborn.
- Support Systems: Promoting hypnobirthing and birth companionship to enhance the birthing experience.
"Awareness about supporting mothers during the postpartum phase is critical. A well-supported mother leads to a well-nourished baby," she emphasized, underscoring the need for community education on these practices.
Innovating Health Through Technology
Krupa's commitment extends to health-focused innovation through Argusoft, a technology engineering firm with a strong healthtech practice. "Argusoft has developed MEDplat, an open-source community health solution serving over 300 million people across eight geographies and used by more than 450,000 community health workers," she stated.
Her involvement in grassroots development began during high school, visiting remote villages in Gujarat with her mother. "This sparked my curiosity about access, equity, and opportunity in healthcare," Krupa recalled. After graduating from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and working at companies like Intel and Google, her personal experiences with pregnancy and birth reinforced her focus on caregiver deficits.
"For the past year, MEDplat by Argusoft has been working to enhance access and quality of preventive care through digital solutions tailored for low-resource environments, collaborating with ecosystem partners," she concluded, highlighting the role of technology in bridging healthcare gaps.
Krupa Ravi's multifaceted efforts—from personal advocacy to technological innovation—aim to transform maternal and neonatal healthcare, ensuring respectful and informed practices become the norm for women everywhere.
