A Guide to Pregnancy Care Tips in Ayurveda for Pregnancy & Childbirth

Pregnancy is the most important and critical part of every woman’s life. So, systematic examination and Pregnancy Care Tips, dietary and other advice are very important during this precious period of time. This systematic supervision is called Garbhini Paricharya (Antenatal Care) in Ayurveda. According to Garbhini Paricharya, the need for Garbhini (ANC Mother) food to be the best source of nourishment for the pregnant woman. It is divided into a nine-monthly diet that is singularly unique to Ayurveda. It changes according to the growth of the fetus in the womb and at the same time ensures the mother’s health.

As per the classical medical tradition, the Vaidyas followed a detailed and comprehensive diet plan. Pregnancy Care in Ayurveda provides a broad expanse of the month-wise diet. This diet may change according to the age, season, place, body constitution, and digestive fire of the pregnant woman. So, the Garbhini should follow a careful regimen of food and behavior during pregnancy for smooth and stress-free delivery.

Pregnancy Care Tips For Ayurvedic Diet Recommendation For Pregnant Women And Childbirth

According to ‘Charaka Samhita’, the pregnancy care Tips in Ayurveda changes every month which is dependent upon the growth pattern, which marks the growth of the fetus. Thus, in the 5th month, there is a predominant growth of Mamsa (flesh) and Rakta (blood) Dhatus. In the 6th month, Bala, Varna, Nails, Hair, Ligaments, Bones, etc. take shape.

Since every month of pregnancy is critical for the growth and development of both the mother and the fetus, Ayurveda curated a healthy pregnancy diet for every single month of the pregnancy. This diet recommendation will help you in taking care of the fetus and mother throughout the pregnancy period. Here are the pregnancy care tips for every month of pregnancy as per Ayurveda:

First Month Of Pregnancy

Diet: One should consume cold milk in small quantities but frequently. Also, mothers should consume Madhur (sweet), Sheeta (cooling to the body), and liquid diet in the 1st month to maintain the fetus.

Medicine: As per Pregnancy Care Tips in Ayurveda, you should consume Jeshthamadhu with white sandalwood powder or red sandalwood powder in cow’s milk is recommended for the first month of pregnancy.

SECOND MONTH OF PREGNANCY

Diet: In the second month of pregnancy, women should have cold milk in small quantities but frequently along with Madhur (sweet), Sheeta (cold) and liquid diet like Milk, Coconut water, Fruit juices, Peya, Kanji (not sour), etc. All these should be in small quantities but taken frequently. Fruits that you should avoid are Pineapple, Papaya, and Sugarcane.

Medicine: In the second month, women should take Ashmantaka (Apta), Til, Pippali (Piper longum), Manjishtha (Rubia cardifolia), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) in small quantities. Also, one should consume Kashaya (decoction) along with milk and sugar. You can also prefer Lotus stem, Nagkeshar milk, or Buttermilk, Lotus, Bell fruit, Camphor, and Goat milk to maintain good health.

THIRD MONTH OF PREGNANCY

Diet: In this month, you can consume rice with milk or ghee and honey (in unequal quantities) along with the same type of fruit juices as mentioned in the 2nd month.

Medicine: Ayurvedic medicines beneficial are Vrikshadani, Ksheerkakolki, Priyangu, Sariva, Sugar, and Nagkeshar milk. You can also consume Sandalwood powder, khus, lotus, and cold water with milk.

FOURTH MONTH OF PREGNANCY

Diet: In the fourth month, Butter taken out of milk, rice with curd, fruit juice, and Coconut water should be taken by pregnant women. Along with that, you can take Hridya Fruits viz. Mango, Watermelon, White pumpkin, Yellow pumpkin, Snake gourd (Chichinda), Berry (Badar), Pomegranate, and Amratak (Ambala) in this month.

Medicine: In this month you can consume Sariva, Rasna, Bharani, or Jeshthamadhu decoction. If a pregnant woman feel she should have thirst, burning, and pain in the abdomen, then milk boiled with banana root, lotus, and khusin the same quantity.

FIFTH MONTH OF PREGNANCY

Diet: In this month, you should consume rice, milk, ghee from butter, Mamsa Vardhak (foods which promote bulk in the fetus) such as meat soup, black gram, etc, and Rakta Vardhak (food items that increase the blood and its flow) such as Pomegranate, Chikoo, Apple, Spinach, Beetroot, amalaki, guava, etc.

Medicine – Medicines includes for this month are Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum), Laghu Kantakari (Gmelina Arborea), Plaksha powder with milk, ground blue lotus, Nagkeshar, and Pumpkin with water. You can also consume Ground pomegranate leaves, sandalwood paste mixed with curd and honey, leaves of Ksheeri trees, Banyan, and Udumbar (Ficus Glomerata).

SIXTH MONTH OF PREGNANCY

Diet: In the sixth month consume Ghee, Rice, Gokharu (Tribulus Terrestris), Siddha Ghee (processed Ghee), and Yavagu (Rice kanji). It nourishes the tissues of the child and keeps the mother healthy.

Medicine: The following medicines are beneficial in the sixth month as per Ayurveda:

1. Take Gairik (Geru Powder), or Rice Gruelmedicated with Gokshura and Ghirta prepared from milk medicated with Madhur drugs.
2. Prishniparni (Uraria Picta), Bala, Gokharu, Drum stick, Jeshthamadhu decoction.

Also Read: Herbal Remedies for Irregular Menstrual Cycles

SEVENTH MONTH OF PREGNANCY

In the 7th month, all organs of the fetus grow significantly due to which women usually face itching on their lower abdomen, thighs, or breasts. During this time, they should consume the same food as previous month.

Medicine: The following medications can helps to reduce itching:-

1. Berry Kashaya processed in sweet medicines and buttermilk
2. Kanheri Siddha oil massage
3. Parish of Jai, and Jeshthamadhu decoction
4. Avoid salt and a large quantity of water
5. Take Bala, Gokharu, Musta, Lajjalu, Nagkeshar powder, honey. Take water Chestnut (Trapa Bispinosa or commonly known as Singhara) lotus, grapes, Musta, sugar, and Jeshthamadhu decoction

EIGHTH MONTH OF PREGNANCY

Diet – This month is crucial because some women face extreme weakness in this month compared to the previous ones. So during this month, one should consume Yavagu (Solid rice and liquid portion) in milk to maintain the health of the child and mother.

Medicine: Medicines recommended during this month are:

1. Lodhra, Pippali powder with honey and milk.
2. Milk processed in Kapittha (Eeronia elephant), Laghu Kantakari, Snake Gourd, Bruhat Kantakari, and Cane Sugar.
3. Asthana Basti (decoction enema) prepared with Berry Kashaya, Bala, Atibala, milk, oil, salt, honey, and Ghee.
4. Take Anuvasana Basti (oil enema) of milk and Madhuraushadhi Siddha kashaya (decoction prepared with drugs of sweet taste) oil. So that pregnant women have the strength and soft vaginal passage to ensure an easy delivery.

NINTH MONTH OF PREGNANCY

Diet: As recommended in the previous month

Medicine: In the 8th and 9th month, there is a slight pain in the abdomen and sometimes bleeding through the vagina. So, one should use painkillers and Stambhana (a drug to stop bleeding) medicine. Along with that, one should consider Sariva, Jeshthamadha, Ksheerkakoli Kashaya medicines.

Note: If the pregnancy continues up to the 10th month, then only take – Shunthi, Ksheer Vidari Kashaya, or only Shunthi Siddha milk.

Pregnancy Harming Factors According To Ayurveda

Along with the diet, Ayurveda lists certain factors that can cause disturbances or harm to the pregnant woman and fetus. One should avoid these factors to ensure a smooth pregnancy and a healthy fetus. These factors are as follows:-

1. Travel on irregular roads and travel in speeding vehicles
2. Sitting on hard and irregular surface
3. Intercourse, smoking, narcotic drugs, wine, or sedatives
4. Sleeping in the supine position
5. Taking fish, Guru (heavy), Tikshna (spicy), Ushna (hot) food in large quantity
6. Holding of natural urges
7. Excessive exercise

Infographic For Pregnancy Care Tips

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Conclusion

Garbhini Paricharya was advised thousands of years ago in classical texts of Ayurveda for pregnant women. It can be proven on scientific parameters as well. In Garbhini Paricharya, normal daily activities, therapeutic procedures, and modifications in psychological behavior are advised. During the first trimester, by considering the physiology of pregnant women, the ancient Acharyas have emphasized using highly nutritious household milk products that are easy to assimilate.

In this period, the dietary regimen and treatment protocol is concentrated on providing nourishment and Vata Anulomana. In the 2nd trimester, Garbhini Paricharya helps stabilize Garbha. It is useful in meeting energy and protein requirements. In the 3rd trimester, drugs and practices which relieve Oedema, constipation, backache, etc, are employed. The pregnancy care in Ayurveda aims at excellence in the formation of the fetus, its development without anomalies, secure full-term delivery, and maintenance of the mother’s health. The regimen explained is specific to fetus and mother, helps in easy delivery, and helps in lactation; hence completely fulfills the objectives of prenatal care.