BAHRAICH, Feb. 20 -- Unable to bear severe labour pains, a pregnant woman reportedly tried to rip open her abdomen with a sharp object at her home in Nandwal village under the Bondi police station area in Bahraich on Thursday. Despite grievous injuries, she later delivered a baby girl at the community health centre (CHC) in Fakharpur and was referred to Lucknow in critical condition.

According to neighbours, the 36-year-woman, a resident of the village, was alone at home when she experienced intense labour pains in the morning. Her husband had died of illness about six months ago and she had been living by herself since then. With no one present to assist her and unable to endure the pain, she reportedly used a sharp object in desperatio...