As Gujarat prepares to celebrate Janmashtami with devotional chants of “Nand Gher Anand Bhayo, Jai Kanhaiyalal Ki” at midnight, hospitals across the state are also expected to witness the arrival of thousands of newborns.
More than 2,000 planned Caesarean sections (C-sections) are expected to be performed across Gujarat around Janmashtami this year. The demand is partly driven by families who want their child to be born on the auspicious occasion associated with the birth of Lord Krishna.
Families Seek a Double Celebration
For some families, the occasion holds special significance as they hope to celebrate Janmashtami along with the birth of their child. The association of the festival with Rohini Nakshatra, traditionally linked with Lord Krishna’s birth, further adds to the sentiment among some parents.
Private hospitals, in particular, are reportedly witnessing increased interest in planned deliveries around the festival.
Unlike a normal delivery, whose exact timing cannot be predicted, a C-section can be scheduled when the pregnancy has reached full term and the procedure is medically appropriate. In such cases, doctors may discuss the timing of delivery with the family, allowing some parents to express a preference for an auspicious date.
Medical Safety Remains the Priority
The trend is not limited to Ahmedabad, as families in several other cities of Gujarat are also reportedly showing interest in scheduling deliveries around Janmashtami.
However, medical experts caution that an auspicious date should not be the sole reason for opting for a C-section. The health of the mother and baby, gestational age and overall safety of the delivery should remain the primary factors in deciding both the timing and mode of delivery.