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Prenatal Care in Ayurveda (Garbhini paricharya)

Prenatal Care in Ayurveda (Garbhini paricharya)

Prenatal care is known as “garbhini paricharya” in Ayurveda. ‘Garbhini’ means pregnant woman and ‘paricharya’ means ideal protocol. It includes the ideal dietary and lifestyle protocol followed by a pregnant woman to attain optimum health of progeny and prevent any complications.

Prenatal care is known as “garbhini paricharya” in Ayurveda. ‘Garbhini’ means pregnant woman and ‘paricharya’ means ideal protocol. It includes the ideal dietary and lifestyle protocol followed by a pregnant woman to attain optimum health of progeny and prevent any complications.

The guidelines for prenatal care start even before conception. The couple planning to have a progeny shall follow purification procedures (panchakarma), proper diet and life style modifications as part of preconception care. The prenatal care begins from the very first day when (usually due to missed menstrual cycle). [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 10/3].The conceived woman shall be treated with special care just like a pot filled with oil. As the slightest oscillation of such a pot causes spilling of the oil, similarly the slightest exertions or excitements to the pregnant woman can initiate adverse pregnancy outcomes. [Cha. Sa.Sharira Sthana 8/22]

The guidelines for prenatal care start even before conception. The couple planning to have a progeny shall follow purification procedures (panchakarma), proper diet and life style modifications as part of preconception care. The prenatal care begins from the very first day when (usually due to missed menstrual cycle). [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 10/3].

 

The conceived woman shall be treated with special care just like a pot filled with oil. As the slightest oscillation of such a pot causes spilling of the oil, similarly the slightest exertions or excitements to the pregnant woman can initiate adverse pregnancy outcomes. [Cha. Sa.Sharira Sthana 8/22]

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==General aspects of prenatal care in Ayurveda==

==General aspects of prenatal care in Ayurveda==

Fetus is dependent on mother in every aspect during intrauterine life.  So, the health of fetus is totally dependent upon the maternal health. The ultimate aim of preconception and prenatal care is healthy progeny.  

Fetus is dependent on mother in every aspect during intrauterine life.  So, the health of fetus is totally dependent upon the maternal health. The ultimate aim of preconception and prenatal care is healthy progeny.  

It includes:  

It includes:  

1. Physical dimension

1. Physical dimension

2. Psychological dimension

2. Psychological dimension

3. Spiritual dimension

3. Spiritual dimension

4. Social dimensions

4. Social dimensions

5. Diagnostic and therapeutic dimensions

5. Diagnostic and therapeutic dimensions

Apart from the general prenatal care, month-wise special care especially in the dietetics, is also advised. This monthly regimen is planned considering the intrauterine growth and developmental milestones of the fetus and nutritional requirements of mother. This makes a unique addition in prenatal care in Ayurveda.  

Apart from the general prenatal care, month-wise special care especially in the dietetics, is also advised. This monthly regimen is planned considering the intrauterine growth and developmental milestones of the fetus and nutritional requirements of mother. This makes a unique addition in prenatal care in Ayurveda.  

==Physical dimension of prenatal care==

==Physical dimension of prenatal care==

It includes both diet (ahara) and activities (vihara).

It includes both diet (ahara) and activities (vihara).

===Diet during pregnancy===

===Diet during pregnancy===

The diet (ahara) consumed by the pregnant woman gets transformed into the nutrient fluid (rasa) which is having a threefold action:

The diet (ahara) consumed by the pregnant woman gets transformed into the nutrient fluid (rasa) which is having a threefold action:

a) Nourishing the body elements of the mother

a) Nourishing the body elements of the mother

b) Providing nourishment to the growing fetus

b) Providing nourishment to the growing fetus

c) Helping the formation of breast milk. [Cha. Sa. Sharira Sthana 6/23]

c) Helping the formation of breast milk. [Cha. Sa. Sharira Sthana 6/23]

Whatever the diet consumed by the pregnant woman becomes congenial to the fetus. So, diet of a pregnant woman should be designed considering the place of living, time, season and digestive capacity. [Ka. Sa. Sutra Sthana 18/24,25]

Whatever the diet consumed by the pregnant woman becomes congenial to the fetus. So, diet of a pregnant woman should be designed considering the place of living, time, season and digestive capacity. [Ka. Sa. Sutra Sthana 18/24,25]

The diet prescribed for pregnant lady should satisfy the following criteria:

The diet prescribed for pregnant lady should satisfy the following criteria:

1. Palatable

1. Palatable

2. More liquid in nature

2. More liquid in nature

3. Predominantly sweet in taste

3. Predominantly sweet in taste

4. Unctuous

4. Unctuous

5. Processed with appetizing drugs [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 10/3]

5. Processed with appetizing drugs [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 10/3]

• She should always include butter, ghee and milk in her diet. [A.Hr.Sharira Sthana 1/43]  

 

• Use of hot water, milk and meat is emphasized by Acharya Kashyapa. Milk provides nourishment and stability to the fetus. Meat provides nutrients for nourishment to the fetus and suppresses the aggravated [[vata]]. Meat soup(mamsa rasa) is considered as the best preparation for a pregnant lady. Meat treated with milk or mixed with sour articles or salt is also beneficial. [ Ka.Sa. Khila Sthana 24/6,7,11,12]  

*She should always include butter, ghee and milk in her diet. [A.Hr.Sharira Sthana 1/43]  

• Yogaratnakara provides a list of recommended dietary items during pregnancy as mentioned below.

 

*Use of hot water, milk and meat is emphasized by Acharya Kashyapa. Milk provides nourishment and stability to the fetus. Meat provides nutrients for nourishment to the fetus and suppresses the aggravated [[vata]]. Meat soup(mamsa rasa) is considered as the best preparation for a pregnant lady. Meat treated with milk or mixed with sour articles or salt is also beneficial. [ Ka.Sa. Khila Sthana 24/6,7,11,12]

*Yogaratnakara provides a list of recommended dietary items during pregnancy as mentioned below.

 

*Two varieties of rice (Shali and Shashtika)

*Two varieties of rice (Shali and Shashtika)

*green gram(mudga)

*green gram(mudga)

*wheat (godhuma)

*wheat (godhuma)

*flour of parched rice (lajasaktu)

*flour of parched rice (lajasaktu)

*butter

*butter

*ghee  

*ghee  

*milk

*milk

*curd mixed with sugar and condiments

*curd mixed with sugar and condiments

*honey

*honey

*sugar

*sugar

*jackfruit

*jackfruit

*banana

*banana

*fruit of gooseberry (amalaki)

*fruit of gooseberry (amalaki)

*grapes (draksha)

*grapes (draksha)

*sour and sweet substances.

 

*sour and sweet substances.

*anabolic and gratifying edibles. [Y.R. Ksheeradosha Chikitsa]

*anabolic and gratifying edibles. [Y.R. Ksheeradosha Chikitsa]

==Table 1: Month wise dietary regimen for pregnant woman==

==Table 1: Month wise dietary regimen for pregnant woman==

Month Dietary regimen  

Month Dietary regimen  

1st Month • Milk frequently in desired quantity (considering the digestive power and strength)*

1st Month • Milk frequently in desired quantity (considering the digestive power and strength)*