BENGALURU: Many expectant mothers are seeking to avoid delivering on February 29 because otherwise their child’s birthday comes only once in four years.
Doctors from the neonatal, obstetrics and gynaecology backgrounds said parents, especially techies, are keen on fancy dates and festivals for delivery.
Dr Arathi, consultant gynaecologist at Vasavi Hospital, says, “Two expectant mothers due on Tuesday have requested another date. One says she believes in astrology and the other says she wants to celebrate the child’s birthday every year rather than once in four years.”
Prashanth Urs, head of the department of neonatology, Apollo Hospital, says, “Such demands should not be encouraged. Instead of depending on astrology, parents should seek doctors’ advice which is better for both mother and child.”
Dr Asha Benakappa, Director, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, says, “Any forced delivery is risky. It could lead to complications.”
Only when a baby has completed 37 weeks in the womb is it considered fit for delivery. The couple can opt for a change in date only if the due date is close by, some doctors say.
Dr Hema Divakar, Medical Director from Divakar Specialty Hospitality, finds many couples stressed as an ‘amavasya’ is coming up, and coincides with Mahashivaratri this time.
“One father wants February 29 as he was also born on that day but he does not want it on Mahashivaratri as he considers it inauspicious. From the last three years, such demands have shot up and many give in to the advice of astrologers and elders. About 90 of 100 expectant mothers don’t want to have a baby on an amavasya,” she says.
Many are not aware of the short- and long-term impact of a forced delivery. “In the short term, it could lead to breathing problems because of a lung infection. In the long term, a child taken out early may suffer from to neurological conditions,” says Dr Divakar.
Dr Jayashree Murthy, consultant gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Koramangala, says if the baby measures at least 3.7 kilos and is not in an upside-down position, a Caesarean delivery may be considered.
Astrologer’s Take
Noted Astrologer S K Jain says parents should not tamper with the delivery date, even to get the stars right. “Many couples may advance or postpone the delivery to avoid February 29. But this is wrong. Even during amavasya, sankramana, eclipse or any such days considered inauspicious, many expectant mothers may not want to have a baby and may induce delivery. But one should not interfere with the laws of nature,” he says. “It could lead to complications.” The astrologer says such measures should be adopted only during emergencies. “If the baby is born on such a day, there are remedies and rituals,” he says.