Ayurveda, a holistic way of living, discusses the details of pregnancy under Garbhini Vyakaran. Father to be s health too to be taken care as the reproductive tissues are to be nourished well and toxins are flushed out, so that an optimum fertilization can occur. Pregnant women has to be more careful during the first three months, as it is formative stage and after seventh month i.e, last stage of her pregnancy.
Foetus and mother are attached by a cord called rasvaha nadi (matenal part of the placenta) which helps in carrying the ahararasa virya (nutrition) from the mother to the foetus It gets nourished by rasa by the process of attracting moisture (upasneha) and osmosis (upasweda) The food intake gets refined until it is transformed to the nutritional eggs and sperms.
Doshas control the mensuration cycle, which should be 26 30 days cycle, 5 days, moderate flow and colour without any clots or discomfort.
Kapha phase is from the end of bleeding until the ovulation, and it builds the endometrium and also restore ths health to body and prepares it for conception.
Pitta phase is from ovulation till period starts. This prepares endometrium for implantation of the egg to be fertilsed and breasts to secrete milk. It is in this phase one under goes a high emotional overload.
Vata phase occurs throughout the period, is. apna vayu regulates the downward movements in the body and it helps in the flow during mensration and also helps during the delivery.
Above ayurvedic concepts clearly explains that if one has to ensure a fertility, then the doshas are to be balanced and normalised. Any imbalance in doshas will lead to problem in conceiving. It recommends yogic practice and a nutritious diet to calm the doshas thereby strengthening the body and relaxing the mother and thereby indirectly benefiting the baby.
Ayurveda, a science of life, advises that the health of the pregnant women to be taken care, so that she is able to withstand the strain of labour and also give birth to a healthy offspring.
It advises mother to be, to take certain herbs to be taken during each month of pregnancy. Milk decoction is one among them and it has to be drunk everyday before going to bed. It is prepared by mixing 15gms of the monthly advised herb/200mls milk/800mls water then boil it and reducing it to 1/4th the quantity.
First month
8 flg leaf buds boiled in milk and then strained for three consecutive days
For the rest of the month the milk decoction with Bala (Sida rhombifolia)
Guarantees a healthy child
Second month
Milk decoction with the herb Lakshmana (Ipomeoa sepiaria)
Sonitamrtam (tonic) is given
Provides energy
Third month
Milk decoction is with Solanum melenginum (Bruhati)
Fourth month
Milk decoction with Desmodium gangeticum (Shaliparni)
Prevents intrauterine growth retardation
Fifth month
Milk decoction with Amrita (Tinospora cordifolia)
Sixth month
Milk decoction is with Solanum xanthocarpum (Kantakari)
if there is water retention problem then Tribulus Terrestris may be given
Seventh month
Milk decoction along with Hordeum vulgare(yava)
Sukha prasava Ghee is given to pave a way for an easy delivery
Eight month
Maerua oblongiflia and milk is given
Dhanwantaram 101 or Ksheerabala 101 is taken
Lubricates the reproductive channels in preparation for childbirth
Ninth month
Milk decoction with Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) during this month
During pregnancy, women may undergo cramps, sleeplessness for which medicated oils like Dhanwantharam, Sahacharadi, Pinda tail are used. This ensures peripheral circulation too. To have a normal delivery medicated ghee like sukhaprasoothi ghrita is given.