hospital” was usually referred to as “Gosha Hospital” because of its previous name as the Victoria Hospital for Caste and Gosha Women during the colonial era. The direct journey to Kasthurba Gandhi Hospital from Kaanathur-Reddikuppam by auto-rickshaw or van was approximately 20 km. and took about one hour. Many could not afford the expense of such private transportation (Rs. 150), however, and instead had to take two buses (costing a total of less than Rs. 10) to travel to Kasthurba Gandhi Hospital, thereby making the trip one-and-a-half-hours long. Some women from Kaanathur-Reddikuppam who were planning to deliver at Kasthurba Gandhi Hospital would go to the hospital in advance of their labor and, if there was room, stay in the prenatal ward until their labor began. Those who had female relatives (usually on their side of the family rather than their husband’s) living in Madras would go and stay with them prior to their due date so that they could reach the hospital immediately once labor pains began.
