Pregnancy Care with Ayurveda

Parents planning for pregnancy can benefit immensely from Ayurvedic principles both throughout pregnancy and after their kid is delivered. Ayurvedic advice focuses on diet, behavior, hobbies, herbal suppliments, and remedies.

Within a span of nine months, a single sperm cell and a single egg combine and evolve into a human being, with fully functional body organs—isn’t it correct to say that health of fetus is also dependent on quality of sperm (father’s health) and ovum (mother’s health).

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According to Ayurveda, reproduction of a healthy offspring is determined by four factors ;

1.Ritu (meaning season, signifies right time/period for conception)

2. Kshetra (means area; the uterus and mother’s body should be healthy)

3.Ambu (signifies nutrients from the food)

4. Beej (the seed—the ovum and sperm must be healthy).  Shakur(semen) and artav (ovum) which is seventh Dhatu (constituent elements) and actually Shakur(semen) and artav (ovum) is the essence of all the six dhatus (constituent elements) and receives nourishment when all the six prior dhatus are well nourished.

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 Each dhatu is connected to the next. Good health begins with balanced digestion, nourishment, and healthy lifestyle. When the superficial dhatus are well cared for, the deeper layers have a better chance at attaining and maintaining optimal vitality.

Streeroga – Prasuthi Tantra (Gynaecology and Obstetrics) is a section of ayurveda devoted to mother’s health, including prenatal and postnatal care.

 Garbhini Paricharya (mother’s care to be taken during pregnancy) is taking care for safe motherhood and healthy offspring. Garbhini Paricharya refers to healthy plan for and prenatal treatment that includes Ahara (a specific nutritional regimen) and Vihara (activity for physical, mental and emotional well-being).

 

Pre-Pregnancy: Planning to Conceive with Garbha Sanskara (Guide for the Womb)

The beautiful practice of Garbh Sanskara takes care of these four factors and has a profound impact on the baby’s health and appearance. Garbh in Sanskrit means the fetus in the womb and Sanskara roughly translates to conditioning or impressions. This practice involves cleansing of the female’s body and womb, improving the quality of the ovum, improving the sperm quality and count in the male, and removing any imbalances of the doshas in addition to counseling the couple in order to create a congenial environment for conception.

It is recommended to start this practice at least three months prior to planning for conception in order to ensure that the couple is in a positive state of mind which is essential for a healthy progeny.

 

During Pregnancy AYURVEDIC APPROACH OF GARBHINI PARICHARYA (REGIMEN FOR PREGNANT WOMEN).

 

Ayurveda classifies pregnancy-related disorders as garbhopadravas: nausea, anorexia, vomiting, dry mouth, fever, oedema, anaemia, diarrhoea, and fluid retention. Following ayurvedic food and lifestyle guidelines can help to avoid these issues and keep the pregnancy healthy.

Ayurvedic lifestyle and diet plan for pregnant lady with pranayama, meditation and pregnancy yoga is helpful in maintaining mother’s & fetus health. Breathing practices increase oxygen flow to the fetus which is essential for its healthy growth in addition to improving hemoglobin levels in the mother’s body. A few minutes of regular meditation is a must—it provides the mother and baby with deep rest, and an emotional rebalancing. Pranayama and meditation also increase the secretion of feel-good hormones like oxytocin in the body. In addition, certain yogasanas that strengthen the pelvic floor muscle of the mother and increase elasticity of the muscles can be learned and practiced.

 

AYURVEDA POST PREGNANCY CARE

Soothika (woman after delivery) 45-90 days after delivery or till the start of the next menstrual cycle. Massage, baths, and food are essential components of soothika care. After delivery care for mother is done to improve physical and mental wellness, overall stamina, muscle strengthening and toning, muscle and joint pain relief, blood circulation, and milk production.

The first few months following delivery are critical for a mother because the uterus shrinks back to its usual size after swelling due to delivery. Furthermore, the uterine tendons, ligaments, and muscles begin to restore the power and strength lost during childbirth. Ayurveda places a strong emphasis on postnatal care. Depending on your symptoms and condition, an Ayurveda physician may normally prescribe a mix of several medicines.

This focus of this healing period is bringing vata dosha into balance, healing and rejuvenating the reproductive tissues (shukra dhatu), and promoting healthy breast and lactation channels (stanya vaha srota). These ensure the mother's health is cared for and fosters easy bonding between mother and child.