Patna: “To deliver or to wait” and “the first hour defines the future of the newborn” were among the key messages highlighted by experts during the scientific sessions of the 41st national conference of the Indian Society of Perinatology and Reproductive Biology (ISOPARB), which commenced on Saturday.Medical specialists emphasised that timely decision-making during pregnancy and proper care immediately after birth play a decisive role in determining a newborn’s long-term health. The conference, organised under the leadership of chairperson Dr Usha Sharma and secretary Dr Pragya Mishra Choudhary, brought together experts in prenatal and neonatal care from across the country.Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo, chief justice of the Patna High Court, formally inaugurated the scientific programme and exhibition.During one of the key sessions, Dr Meena Samant spoke in depth about the timing of delivery in different clinical situations. She highlighted a common obstetrical dilemma faced by doctors during complicated pregnancies: “to deliver or to wait”. She explained that the decision requires careful assessment of both the mother’s condition and the baby’s wellbeing.Dr Lalan Bhatia highlighted the importance of the crucial “golden hour” after birth. “The first hour defines the future of the newborn,” he said, outlining structured protocols that must be followed during this period to ensure the baby’s stability and survival.Guest of honour and keynote speaker Dr Purna Chandra Mahapatra delivered a lecture titled ‘Human Reproduction: Doctor versus Destiny’. Referring to several case studies, he said outcomes sometimes appear to defy medical expectations. “Reproduction is a combination of doctor and destiny,” he said, stressing the importance of patience and perseverance.During the event, the conference souvenir was released by Dr Mahapatra, the newsletter by Dr Pandey and Dr Konar, and the ISOPARB journal by editor-in-chief Dr Sukumar Barik. Dr Manju Geeta Mishra received the lifetime achievement award for her contribution to obstetrics and maternal health. The conference will continue on Sunday with sessions on infertility, maternal-foetal medicine and neonatal care.
