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→Monthly regimen to be adopted during normal pregnancy
In this verse, we shall explain the monthly regimen to be adopted in a steadily developing, normal pregnancy:
In this verse, we shall explain the monthly regimen to be adopted in a steadily developing, normal pregnancy:
*In the first month when pregnancy is suspected, cold and unmedicated milk (that has not been processed with any drug) should be taken in adequate quantity at regular intervals, and nourishing food should be eaten twice a day.
*In the second month of pregnancy, milk processed with sweet-tasting drugs should be taken, as needed.
*In the third month of pregnancy, milk along with honey and ghee should be given to drink.
*In the fourth month of pregnancy, milk along with one ''aksha'' (10 – 12 g) butter should be consumed.
*In the fifth month of pregnancy, milk along with ghee should be given.
*In the sixth month of pregnancy, milk with ghee processed with sweet-tasting drugs should be given to drink.
*In the seventh month of pregnancy, she should be given the same regimen as prescribed in the sixth month. Experienced women are of the opinion that during this period, the fetus develops scalp hair and it causes burning sensation in the mother. But this view is negated by Lord Atreya, who says that due to the pressure created by the fetus, the three ''doshas'' of the mother reach the chest region and cause burning sensation in her, causing itching which, in turn, causes ''kikkisa'' (stretch-marks or striae gravidarum -linea albicantes – the white abdominal lines seen during and after pregnancy on the abdomen). To manage this condition, she should regularly be given butter medicated with sweet-tasting drugs, the quantity of which she can hold in her single palm, along with a decoction of ''kola'' (Zizyphus jujube Lam). Her breasts and abdomen should be massaged with a paste of ''chandana'' (Santalumalbum Linn.), ''mrinala'' (stalk of lotus) or powder of ''shirisha'' (Albizia lebbeck Benth), ''dhataki'' (Woodfordiafruticosa Kurz), ''sarshapa'' (Mustard – Brassicanigra Koch), and ''madhuka'' (Glycyrrhizaglabra Linn.) or paste of ''kutaja'' (Holarrhenaantidysenterica Wall.), seed of ''arjaka'' (Ocimumgratissimum Linn.), ''musta'' (Cyperusrotundus Linn.), ''haridra'' (Curcumalonga Linn.) or paste of ''nimba'' (Azadirachtaindica A. Juss), ''kola'' (Zizyphusjujuba Lam.), ''surasa'' (Ocimumsanctum Linn.) and manjishta (Rubiacordifolia Linn.) or triphala (three pungent fruits – Terminaliachebula Linn., Terminaliabelerica Roxb. and Emblicaofficinalis Gaertn.) mixed with the blood of prishta (spotted deer), massage with oil prepared with leaf of karavira (Neriumindicum Mill.) and sprinkling with water processed with jati (Malati – Aganosma dichotoma K. Schum.) and madhuka (Glycyrrhizaglabra Linn.) plant. Thus, itching should be avoided to prevent stretch-mark on skin (and therefore, avoiding disfiguring the skin). If itching is too severe to tolerate then it should be overcome by an application of unmardana (anointing) and udgharshana (rubbing with pastes) procedures. During this period, she should eat sweet-tasting food that is vata alleviating in nature and is light on oil, fat and salt, and should drink less water immediately after the food.
• In the eighth month, she should take gruel prepared with milk and mixed with ghee in all her meals in their appropriate times. Bhadrakapya has opposing views on this and believes that it causes paingalya (tawny discolouration of the eyes of foetus) in the foetus, and hence should not be practiced. On this point, Lord Atreya believes that while the risk of paingalya may be there, it does not indicate in any way that the above regimen should not be applied. The woman following this regimen remains free from all disorders and gives birth to a child endowed with excellent health, strength, complexion, voice and compactness of body.
• In the eighth month, she should take gruel prepared with milk and mixed with ghee in all her meals in their appropriate times. Bhadrakapya has opposing views on this and believes that it causes paingalya (tawny discolouration of the eyes of foetus) in the foetus, and hence should not be practiced. On this point, Lord Atreya believes that while the risk of paingalya may be there, it does not indicate in any way that the above regimen should not be applied. The woman following this regimen remains free from all disorders and gives birth to a child endowed with excellent health, strength, complexion, voice and compactness of body.
• Finally, in the ninth month of pregnancy, she should be treated with unctuous enema prepared with sweet-tasting drugs. A cotton swab soaked in the same oil should be kept in her genital tract in order to lubricate the passage of the foetus.
• Finally, in the ninth month of pregnancy, she should be treated with unctuous enema prepared with sweet-tasting drugs. A cotton swab soaked in the same oil should be kept in her genital tract in order to lubricate the passage of the foetus.