Akshaya Tritiya is going to be a busy day for some city gynecologists with pregnant women wanting to deliver their babies on the auspicious day on Friday.
“I am doing seven planned caesarean-sections and one normal delivery on Friday. As it is believed to be a very auspicious day, couples
are eager to have their children be born on this date,” said Dr Anita Soni, gynecologist, Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital, Powai.
However, it is not just deliveries that are keeping doctors busy. “Besides the planned caesarean sections, I received few requests for other surgeries such as hysterectomies as well,” said Dr Renuka Suchak, gynecologist, Punjab Kesari Trust Hospital, Vashi.
The trend of scheduling surgeries on auspicious days is not new, said doctors. “I have been practising for more than a decade and have been getting such requests,” said Dr Mahek Motwani, gynecologist, Aastha Hospital, Mulund. “One of my patient and her entire family was so desperate that she is getting labour induced almost two weeks before her due date,” Dr Motwani added.
Doctors said that such requests should not be agreed to at the cost of a child’s health. “In any case, the baby should be mature and caesarean section should be necessary,” said
Dr Nandita Palshetkar, fertility specialist, Lilavati Hospital.