Why Many Expectant Parents Are Seeking 'Muhurat Deliveries' This Week

Doctors in India are seeing a rising demand among expectant parents who are scheduling caesarean section deliveries to align with the Ram Mandir consecration on January 22. From UP to Karnataka, several parents from different regions of the country are seeking what is now being termed as 'muhurat deliveries' to celebrate the birth of their baby on the Ayodhya ceremony day. Parents have been sending written requests to hospital officials to block them a place in the surgery room, media reports stated. 

Parents are allegedly doing this so that their babies can be imbibed with the qualities of Lord Ram, they told the media. Doctors stated that the mounts of requests to have caesarean deliveries on that day are "concerning," as some expect them to overlook complications.

Doctors Bombarded With Muhurat Delivery Requests

According to Seema Dwivedi from the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Kanpur's Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, they have received requests for 12 to 14 caesarean deliveries in one labour room. She also told the Press Trust of India that arrangements are being made for 35 caesarean operations on January 22.

According to her, parents believe that delivering their baby on the auspicious day would bless their family with their very own Lord Ram. "The mothers believe that Lord Ram is the symbol of heroism, integrity and obedience, therefore babies born on the day of the 'pran pratishtha' (consecration) at the temple will also have the same qualities," Dwivedi said.

Down South too, the fever of Ram Mandir has pushed several expectant parents to request caesarean section deliveries for the day. A Bengaluru resident, Ankita Agarwal, has booked herself a slot for the auspicious day, according to Times of India. "It is indeed a blessing," she said, adding that they will be delivering the baby that afternoon. Doctors find it aggravating that so many parents expect caesarean deliveries on that day.

Dr N Sapna Lulla, lead consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, at a private Bengaluru hospital told Times of India, "Birthing is a natural process and it unfolds on its own. I think we should not disturb it. So, we do not recommend scheduling deliveries for any specific day or time." Meanwhile, Seema Dwivedi told PTI, "It is concerning that sometimes the family members even expect us to overlook complications that may arise for the mother and the child by doing so."