MUSIC WHILE DELIVERY

THE ASIAN AGE (Sep 2003)

By Skimmy Gupta

A female delivers a baby listening to ‘Like a virgin’ song in the background. This is a frequent scenario in operation theaters and clinics of UK and Mumbai where Dr.Abhijit Das, a consultant gynecologist likes to switch on music during deliveries. In his medical career of over 15 years; over 1000 babies born under him have listened to all kinds of music from raga to pop while stepping into this world. He also advises patients to place a radio on their tummy/bumps during pregnancy for the baby and mother to enjoy the same music and beneficial for both individuals.

Dr.Abhijit Das, M.B.B.S., M.R.C.O.G. (London University) is a consultant doctor at Holy Spirit Hospital, Andheri (east) and Consultant Obstetrician and gynecologist at Andheri clinic. After practicing medicine in UK for 12 years, he returned to India few years ago and specializes in infertility, Laproscopy and related fields. He also mastered in psychosexual medicine, endoscopic surgery and infertility from Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Scotland, one of the premier medical institutes in the world.

Dr .Das is also a trained singer has performed both classical and light forms of music in India and abroad. A M.Music (Allahabad University – Violin), M.Music (Calcutta University – Vocal) and M.Phil (Music),he learnt singing from Pt. T. L. Rana and Amarnath Mukherjee for nearly 18 years. About playing music while operations, he told The Asian Age “Soft music has a great effect of minds and attitude of pregnant mothers who are already stressed, mentally and physically. They need relaxation; thus music helps in a big way. In the west, it is a popular practice. But in India, I am trying to emphasize on this kind of music –aided deliveries.”

From past 15 years; he also conducts courses on stress management and yoga and treats patients with simple yoga techniques. From a very young age, Dr.Das learnt yoga from Swami Mohanananda Brahmachari and Swami Bibhobanandaji; from the lineage of great yogi Yogiraj Balananda Brahmachari. As he says “I teach from first step of Astanga (eight steps) of yoga along with meditation techniques. I have also studied extensively on Indian philosophy, the occult and supernatural.” Using various yoga and meditation techniques; Dr.Das treated Kajori, a patient with a complicated medical history within two days through yoga. In another surprising medical case; Shivkumar with a severe paralytic attack tried many medicines but to no avail. Dr.Das held about 6-7 yoga sessions and Shivkumar’s condition improved by over 50 %.

“Yoga and music are sure way of having a pain free delivery. But many doctors do not advise these factors, also many people complaint about their doctor not being available during delivery. Breathing techniques, positive attitude and butterfly postures, if possible during pregnancy should be tried out. If yoga is gelled with music, it helps the mother and child in both pre-natal and post-natal stages.”adds Dr.Das

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