Mahurat Delivery Craze | Auspicious Birth India

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Mahurat delivery is a growing trend in India.
People believe an auspicious birth time ensures a better future for the child.
Doctors prioritize gestational age and medical emergencies.
Unnecessary C-sections can pose risks to both mother and child.
Good health and medical care are more crucial for a child’s future.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

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In January 2024, as people were gearing up for the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, several expecting mothers lined up at hospitals to get their babies delivered on the same date – January 22. The reason? They wanted their babies’ births to coincide with the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. They had requested doctors in advance to accommodate their demand so that their child could be born at an “auspicious” time and date. And that, my friends, is Mahurat Delivery.

What is Mahurat Delivery?

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Now, from what it looks like, it was not just a one-time phenomenon – Mahurat deliveries, or auspiciously timed births, are on the rise across India. But why are hospitals and doctors receiving more and more similar requests? Some clinics have even gone to the extent of accommodating ‘Mahurat Delivery’ in their list of services. Is the craze for mahurat baby deliveries at an all-time high in India? If yes, then what’s the reason?

Defining Mahurat Delivery

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Dr Nirmala Chandrashekar, senior consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Bengaluru, explains, “Mahurat delivery refers to the practice where parents choose a specific day and time for their baby’s birth, often after consulting a priest or astrologer. However, doctors ensure that the gestational age is appropriate and that there are no medical emergencies before proceeding.”

The Rising Trend

According to doctors, the practice isn’t something new and with the increasing reliance on elective C-sections, this has been made more feasible. “Since many first-time mothers already opt for planned C-sections, the additional step of aligning the birth with an auspicious time seems logical to them,” she adds.

Influence of Beliefs

Childbirth cannot be fully controlled, and traditionally, since most deliveries happened naturally, due dates were merely rough estimates of when a child could be expected. However, with medical advancement, many parents now believe they can also influence their child’s fate by choosing an astrologically favorable moment which is generally determined in advance through consultations with a numerologist or a priest. Mahurat delivery is a growing trend today.

Pressure on Hospitals

Dr Manjula Anagani, clinical director at CARE Hospitals, Hyderabad, agrees that the demand for Mahurat Deliveries has increased in recent years. “More and more people are asking for it because they believe that, in an uncertain world, they can influence the fate of the baby – which is not exactly advisable. In our hospital, the provision exists in cases where it is already decided that the baby will be delivered via caesarean section,” she says. Hence, hospitals had to adapt to this rising trend, but with some restrictions.

Doctor’s Perspective

Some doctors claim they have time and again denied absurd requests from some parents-to-be. “Usually, we prefer to do it in the early hours, during the morning or daytime. If patients request a suitable time within that period, we are okay with it. However, we are not in favor of conducting deliveries in the middle of the night, at 10 pm or 1 am, when services are difficult to provide, and the outcomes for both the baby and the mother may not be optimal,” Dr Anagani adds.

Increase in C-Sections

Meanwhile, studies show a significant rise in C-section deliveries in India. Data from the National Family Health Surveys (NFHS) reveals an increase from 17.2% in 2015-2016 to 21.5% in 2019-2021. The survey also suggests that the practice is especially prominent in private hospitals, where nearly half of all deliveries are C-sections.

Risks Involved

Now, most people may suggest that if C-sections are happening rampantly in India for complications or otherwise, how can a well-planned delivery be a problem for the mother or child’s health? However, the truth is very different. Dr Anagani warns, “If parents insist on a mahurat when the baby isn’t full-term (less than 37 weeks), it can lead to neonatal complications, often requiring NICU care.”

Importance of Natural Labor

“Additionally, if contractions begin naturally, but parents refuse delivery on that specific day, it can create complications for both the baby and the mother. In some cases, people insist on a caesarean even when a vaginal delivery is possible, just to ensure the baby is born at a specific time. This is more detrimental, as unnecessary surgical procedures increase the risk of infections and morbidity for the mother while also having a medical impact on the foetus.”

Prioritizing Safety

Dr Chandrashekar emphasizes that as long as the delivery is safe and the baby is full-term, there are no major health risks. “Our primary focus is always the well-being of both mother and baby. If the timing is medically unsuitable, we advise against it,” she states. The decision for Mahurat delivery should be well-thought.

Conclusion

While Mahurat deliveries are at an all-time high, and you may be tempted to follow the advice of your revered priest or astrologer for the benefit of your child, we believe it’s best to stay clear of this. Dr. Manjula Anagani offers a similar suggestion: “Good health and proper medical care play a far bigger role in a child’s future than the exact moment of birth.”

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember