PREGNANCY: WHERE THE UNIVERSAL POWER MEETS YOU IN THE WOMB

We are delighted to publish this article written by Dr Sonali Mukherjee from India. She completed her MD (Ayurveda Medicine) in 2015. She also has qualification in Counselling and Psychotherapy and Yoga.

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The period of nine months is a roller coaster ride in every woman’s life to achieve the eternal feeling of holding the child onto the hands.

Since ancient times prenatal care, antenatal care and post-delivery care have been measured in inches to provide utmost care and relieve to the expectant mother.

The scientific explanation of dietary habits have been mentioned by Acharyas in Vedic Samhitas for every month, to avoid misshapen like miscarriage, preterm delivery and so on.


The aim of this article is to briefly discuss the benefits of Ayurvedic form of dietary regimen for a safe and happy pregnancy period.

1st month of pregnancy:

3 to 4 cups of cow milk either taken at a time or divided into three to four times a day to give nourishment to the foetus. (1)


Daily use of cow ghee gives stability and prevents damaging of cell functions within the embryo. (2)

Singhada (Trapa natans) often known as water chestnut is one of the “garbhasathapana dravya ” which fixes the placenta. it can be taken in powder form daily 1-2 tablespoon. (3)

2nd month of pregnancy:

Wonderful herbs like Asperagus racemosus (asperagus) and Sida cordifolia (country mallow) powder are mixed with milk and given to the expected mothers to increase the strength of their own body and stability to the foetus.(4)

3rd month of pregnancy:

Milk (5) with honey and ghee (6) are advisable to be taken frequently in regular quantities as in this time foetus takes its form and requires nourishment and nutrients from dietary food.

Sandalwood powder may be added as a medicinal herb for its cooling properties in the body.

The 4th month of pregnancy:

The blood circulation of the foetus has taken place by this time. Amount of milk may exceed from 3 to 4 cups a day.

Yoghurt is to be added to regular food. (7)

Unsalted butter with sugar should be consumed this time. (8)

5th month of pregnancy:

In this month mental faculties of the foetus become active.

Again milk is a blessing at this time to develop the fine elements in the brain. Judicious intake of cow ghee, milk, (9) meat soup are advised for this month.

6th and 7th month of pregnancy:

Memory and power of perception develop within this month, therefore, rice and ghee (10) along with herbs like gokshur (Tribulus Terrestris) powder should be given to eat in the first part of the day. (11)

The 8th month of pregnancy: All the important components of the tiny human is already formed. Sweet gruel prepared with milk, rice, sooji, vermicelli. (12)

Herbs like ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) may be added.

It should be taken once a day for the strength and vigour of both the child and mother. (13)

The 9th month of pregnancy:

Rectal enema (Anuvasana Vasti) with selected herbs should be administered in the last month for the normal position of the baby and favourable normal delivery. (14)

Ayurvedic diet:

Cereals and pulses:

Rice, wheat, maize, ragi, green gram, black gram, red gram, and kidney beans.


Fruity vegetables:

Pumpkin, drumstick, rice gourd, bottle gourd, tomato.

Leafy vegetables:

Spinach lettuce cauliflower coriander, cabbage.

Other vegetables:

Carrot, radish, beans, garlic, ginger, onion, potato

Fruits:

Figs, pomegranate, banana, apple, soaked almond, Indian gooseberry (Amalaki), custard apple.

Other food:
Egg, fresh salad, roasted cress seeds (15)

The process of maintenance of diet for the 9 months determines the health of the child for the rest of the life. The guidance of ancient books and regular practice of ayurvedic regimen can lead to wonderful results to the expectant mothers.

Hope the small initiative taken in this article can benefit everyone seeking natural help in their beautiful journey of pregnancy.

                                         REFERENCES 


(1) http://www.ayurvedalive.in/ayurvedic-diet-in-pregnancy/

(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3336338/

(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3336338/

(4) http://www.ayurvedalive.in/ayurvedic-diet-in-pregnancy/

(5 ) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3336338/

(6) http://www.ayurvedalive.in/ayurvedic-diet-in-pregnancy/

(7) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3336338/

(8)http://www.ayurvedalive.in/ayurvedic-diet-in-pregnancy/

(9) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3336338/

(10) http://www.ayurvedalive.in/ayurvedic-diet-in-pregnancy/

(11) https://www.ijires.org

(12) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3336338/

(13) https://www.ijires.org

(14) http://www.ayurvedalive.in/ayurvedic-diet-in-pregnancy/

(15) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3336338/

(16) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3336338/

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