No rush for Jan 1 birth date this time: Docs

No rush for Jan 1 birth date this time: Docs 

Pearl.Dsouza@timesofindia.com 03.01.2025

Bengaluru : With awareness mounting about the risks of pushing pregnancy beyond a certain time or inducing it before due date, city doctors say fewer parents rushed for a Jan 1 delivery this time around. There were 14 babies born in Manipal Hospitals across the city on the first day of 2025 (as per data received up to Wednesday evening). Of these, eight were C section deliveries. The highest number of deliveries — five — was at the Whitefield branch. Dr Spurthy G Janney, consultant — obstetrics & gynaecology, Manipal Hospitals-Whitefield, said in the past, there we re requests for time-bound deliveries for Jan 1, but this year there were none. 

“Most of the pregnancies were indicated inductions, which means water was less around the baby. We wanted the mothers to keep the pregnancy till at least 38 weeks so the babies were term babies, and we tried to improve the water with medication and injections as it tends to redu ce around the baby with the advancement of pregnancy. However, this time, there was no one seeking a fancy date,” she said. Of the five deliveries there, two were C-sections. Dr Kavitha Kovi, head of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Aster Women and Children Hospital, Whitefield, said just two out of five pregnant women at her hospital were looking for a Jan 1 delivery, as more parents are now sensitised about the pitfalls of timed elective sections. “Which parent would want the baby to go to NICU? Nobody. They all want a healthy baby. All you have to tell them is that’s the most important thing, a healthy baby and healthy mother,” she said. 

However, Dr Aparna Jha, senior consultant, obstetrics & gynaecology and laparoscopic Surgeon, Apollo Cradle and Children’s Hospital, Brookefield, said the trend of having elective sections on auspicious days is actually increasing. Of the three techie couples that came to her on Jan 1 for delivery, two wanted an elective. “Nothing auspicious, but more a celebratory date. We had a similar number last year too, ”she added. 

Dr N Sapna Lulla, lead consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Aster CMI Hospital, agreed there were requests for elective delivery. “However, we recommend abstaining from C-sections... Women should be motivated to give labour a chance,” she explained