By Dr Raghuram Y. S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B. A. M. S
Comprehensive care of pregnant woman with respect to food, lifestyle, behaviour, medicines and treatments were carried out with utmost care. Monthly regimen for pregnant women explained in ancient Ayurvedic texts point towards wisdom of these authors and precision with which protocol for pregnancy care was drafted in olden days. Read – Diet And Lifestyle For Women In Ayurveda
Table of Contents
Garbhini = pregnant woman Masanumasika = every month Pathya = wholesome diet
As there is graduated growth and development of fetus in mother’s womb every month, requirement of different kinds of food and modulations which need to be brought in protocol seems sensible and mandatory.
Read –Importance Of Diet (Pathya) For Specific Diseases
Dietetic regimen for first month of pregnancy
Charaka’s opinion (Cha. Shaa. 8/32)
Read – How To Consume Ghee Based on Tridosha Imbalance?
Sushruta’s opinion (Su. Shaa. 10/4)
Vagbhata’s opinion (A. Sam. Shaa. 3/3)
Harita’s opinion (Haa. Sam. Tru. Stha. 49/1)
Read – Pregnancy Cravings – Reasons, Ayurvedic Explanation
Dietetic regimen for second month of pregnancy
Dietetic regimen for third month of pregnancy
Read – 15 Precautions And Benefits Of Massage In Pregnancy
Dietetic regimen for fourth month of pregnancy
Read –18 Back pain pregnancy tips – Ayurvedic Remedies
Dietetic regimen for fifth month of pregnancy
Read – Principles Of Making Herbal Ghee – Ghritham
Dietetic regimen for sixth month of pregnancy
Read – Brimhaneeya Gana Herbs: Review, Benefits, Formulations
Dietetic regimen for seventh month of pregnancy
Dietetic regimen for eighth month of pregnancy
Charaka’s opinion (Cha. Shaa. 8/32)
Bhadrakapya differs in opinion about gruel. He says that it should not be given because by consuming it, child to be born would become tawny in complexion (paingalya). Read – Jeevaneeya Gana Herbs of Charaka: Review, Medicines, Benefits
Atreya gives a similar opinion that by consuming mentioned gruel woman is going to give birth to a child who would become tawny in complexion. He also tells that benefits of this gruel cannot be ignored. On consuming this gruel, pregnant woman remains disease free and delivers a child possessing best health, energy, complexion, voice, compactness of body and much superior in virtues in comparison to other family members.
Chakrapani opines that in comparison to side effects of this gruel which are negligible, since benefits are much more it shall be used by pregnant woman.
Sushruta’s opinion (Su. Shaa. 10/4)
Read – Basti Chikitsa: Benefits, Routes, Types, Indications, Equipment
After administering asthapana and anuvasana vastis, vata moves in downward direction which is its normal course. Due to normal movement of vata, lady delivers without difficulty and will also be free from complications.
Body of woman thus treated with above mentioned measures becomes unctuous. She gains strength and delivers normally without any complications. Read – Classification Of Foods And Drinks – Charaka Sahmita Sutrasthana 27
Vagbhata’s opinion (A. Sam. Shaa. 3/11)
Read – Matra Basti: Indications, Benefits, Contra Indications
Vagbhata’s opinion (A. Hr. Shaa. 1/64, 65)
Harita’s opinion (Haa. Sam. Tr. Stha. 49/3)
Read – Hot water bath or cold water bath?
Dietetic regimen for ninth month of pregnancy
Read – Quality Of Foods – Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 6 – Annaswaroopa
Anuvasana vasti and yoni pichu – unctuous enema as advised in 8th month of pregnancy and vaginal tampon of same oil should be given. (A. Hr. Shaa. 1)
To woman having absence of unctuousness in body, anuvasana vasti should not be given for whole of 9th month. Unctuous enema should be given only after use of fat. (A. Hr. Shaa. 1)
Vividha annani – In 9th and 10th months of pregnancy, different varieties of rice or cereals should be used. (Haa. Sam. Tr. Sthaa. 49/3) Read – How To Make Ayurvedic Herbal Bath Powder At Home?
Benefits of monthly dietetic regimen used for pyregnant women
Woman remains healthy after consuming diet advised in monthly dietetic regimen for pregnant woman. She delivers a child possessing good health, energy, voice, compactness and would be superior to other family members. (Charaka)
When a pregnant woman consumes this dietetic regimen from first to ninth month,
Fetus will attain good growth, vata anulomana takes place properly, and woman becomes unctuous, strong and delivers child without complications. (Sushruta). Read – Your Child Does Not Eat Well? Causes, Ayurveda Solutions
Nutritive juices derived from pregnant woman’s diet serves –
Read – Breast Milk Detoxification Based On Dosha
Monthly dietetic regimen of pregnant woman – analysis
During first three months of pregnancy –
Most pregnant women would experience vomiting. They will not be able to take food properly. Therefore use of cold and sweet liquid diet and also milk will prevent dehydration, supply required nourishment and will check vomiting and nausea. Sweet tasting group of herbs is anabolic in nature. They will help in maintenance of proper health of mother and fetus. Read – How To Balance Vata Dosha? Line Of Treatment And Reasoning
Fourth month of pregnancy onwards –
There will be good muscular development of fetus. This will put in need of more proteins. Use of meat soup will serve this purpose, to supplement proteins to fetus and also enable its proper growth.
By end of second trimester (6 months of pregnancy) –
Most women will have edema of feet and other complications caused due to fluid accumulation in body. Tribulus terrestris is a good diuretic. Use of this herb in 6th month will prevent retention of water and also other complications. Read – Lifestyle Tips, Yoga And Home Remedies For Pedal Edema
Seventh month of pregnancy, use of vidarigandhadi group of herbs –
This group of herbs is diuretic, anabolic, relieves emaciation and suppresses pitta and kapha. Their regular use in 7th month of pregnancy helps in maintaining optimum health of mother and fetus.
Late pregnancy, 8th month, use of enemas –
Most women experience constipation in late pregnancy. Use of enema in 8th month will relieve constipation and regulates functions of myometrium during labour. Read – Constipation Causes, Ayurvedic Treatment, Home Remedies
Vaginal tampons may destroy pathogenic bacteria of vaginal canal and thus prevent puerperal sepsis. Tampon may also soften vaginal passage. This would help in normal labour. It will also help in softening perineum and help in its relaxation during delivery of child.
Milk and Sweet tasting group of herbs –
Milk and sweet tasting group of herbs have been advised to be taken by pregnant women during entire pregnancy period. Milk is a wholesome diet and a whole diet also. It is rasayana i. e. rejuvenator. Sweet tasting group of herbs is anabolic in nature. Use of these herbs during pregnancy will help in maintenance of proper health of mother and also will enable proper growth and development of fetus. Read – Human Breast Milk Benefits, Ways To Increase Production
Samanya Ahara Vihara – Normal diet and mode of life for pregnant woman
Charaka’s advices (Ch. Shaa. 8/21)
Pregnant woman desirous of begetting a healthy and good looking child should –
Read – Sadvritta In Ayurveda – Code Of Conduct For Healthy Life
Sushruta’s advices (Su. Shaa. 10/3)
Pregnant woman, right from first day of her pregnancy should follow below mentioned measures and follow them up to delivery –
Read – Herbs Useful For Maintenance Of Pregnancy
Vagbhata I’s advices (A. Sam. Shaa. 2/58)
Pregnant woman should use congenial diet and proper mode of life as her welfare is interrelated with her child.
She should avoid all those factors which are likely to harm fetus.
Brimhana therapy i. e. anabolic therapies should be used for pregnant woman.
Vagbhata II’s advices (A. Hr. Shaa. 1)
Jivaniya group of herbs should used
Husband of pregnant lady and servants attending her should be affectionate and have good behaviour towards her. This will help in healthy maintenance and progression of pregnancy.
Pregnant woman should always use butter, ghee and milk etc. They are said to be conducive to her. Read – How to make butter? – The Ayurvedic Method
Kashyapa’s advices (Ka. Sam. Shaa. 5/12-15)
Diet caution – Whatever food and drink pregnant woman consumes become congenial to fetus. Therefore diet should be taken cautiously taking into consideration the place of living and eating, time, season and digestive capacity. These things should never be neglected.
Choice of garments and ornaments – Pregnant women should carefully choose her garments and ornaments. They should be auspicious, pious, meritorious, new, un-torn and possess masculine names. Read – Impact of Cloth Colour And Material On Body And Mind
Materials possessing masculine names – Pregnant woman should only use things having masculine names.
Arrangements in her living place – living place of pregnant woman should be –
Read – Garbhadana Sukta: Hymn For Conception
Read – Dinacharya – Importance Of Healthy Daily Regimen As Per Ayurveda
Harita’s advices (Haa. Sam. Tri. Sth. 49)
Surana ( Elephant Yam ) and constipating articles along with their juice should be used.
All other congenial and beneficial diets and behavior should be used.
Pregnant woman should offer food to brahmanas and family members after performing auspicious rites, in 5th and 8th months of pregnancy.
Yogaratnakara’s advices (Yo. Ra. Kshiradosha Chikitsa) Read – Ayurveda Mahodadhi Dhanya Varga – Types Of Rice
Below mentioned articles are conducive for pregnant women –
Read – Travelling tips – How to keep Ayurveda Vata Dosha balance while travelling?
Snanartha Vishishta Jala – specific processed water for bathing in pregnancy (A. Sam. Shaa. 3/14, A. Hr. Shaa. 1/68)
Below mentioned processed medicated waters should be used for bathing by pregnant women –
Mani dharana – amulet for pregnant woman
According to Kshyapa, pregnant woman should wear amulet made of Trivrit (Operculina turpethum) in her waist (Ref – Ka. Sam. Khi. 10).
Masanumasika Pathya Prayoga – Month wise dietary regimen for pregnant woman
Ayurveda has specified use of different forms of diet in different months of pregnancy by pregnant woman.
Garbhini Varjya Ahara Vihara – Diet and mode of life contraindicated during pregnancy
Some types of foods and life activities are not suited during pregnancy. They may pose threat to life of expectant mother as well as fetus. They are called as factors likely to harm fetus.
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