Gynaecologist narrates how family refused childbirth during blood moon Lunar Eclipse, took lot of convincing: ‘Grahan hai…aap aaj ke din rakhiye’

She, however, took a stand and said that it wasn’t possible to delay any further. “I told them that we could lose the child. It took a lot of convincing to let us deliver the baby. The baby is healthy. So, if your doctor is also telling you about such a critical decision, don’t ignore,” she shared.

Taking a cue from this case in point, we reached out to experts to understand why medical advice is important to adhere to.

Dr Tripti Raheja, director of obstetrics and gynaecology at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, concurred that, as a gynaecologist, she frequently encounters situations where patients’ cultural beliefs pose a risk to the safety of the mother or baby during childbirth.

“This case in particular highlights how deeply rooted traditions could have led to serious harm to the baby. The family’s hesitation in following the doctor’s advice for an urgent delivery indicates a worrying trend. As a gynecologist, I often see families influenced by cultural practices when it comes to childbirth, from refusing food or movement during an eclipse to delaying urgent procedures until the ‘inauspicious time’ has passed,” said Dr Raheja.

While respecting cultural sentiments is important, health decisions must never compromise evidence-based care, stressed Dr Raheja. “It’s important to understand that childbirth is something that we should not try to fit into a calendar or celestial events, and unnecessary delays of even a few hours can sometimes make the difference between a safe outcome and a complication,” said Dr Raheja.

It is important to ensure a safe delivery (representative image) (Photo: Freepik)

Dr Manish Machave, a consulting obstetrician, gynaecologist, and gynaecological endoscopic surgeon at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, stated that modern medicine and scientific evidence clearly demonstrate no link between lunar eclipses and risks to pregnancy or the unborn child.

 

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According to Dr Machave, pregnancy-related complications such as congenital anomalies, developmental delays, or miscarriages are caused by well-established biological and environmental factors. “These include genetic predispositions, metabolic or hormonal disorders, maternal infections during pregnancy, exposure to harmful chemicals, consumption of certain medications, or radiation exposure. None of these causes is in any way connected to natural astronomical phenomena like eclipses,” said Dr Machave.

“Pregnant women are often burdened by unnecessary anxiety due to traditional myths. This is where informed medical advisory and intervention play a crucial role,” explained Dr Machave.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.