Prenatal Health Care In Kerala Ayurveda Diet And Life Style

Introduction

Childbirth is one of the most important and happiest moments for the mother as she has been taking care of it for nine-month. Care during those nine months prefers the term Pre -Natal Health Care or Antenatal care.

As per Ayurveda Garbhini Paricharya refers to AnteNatal care with the recommendation of Aahara (specific dietary regimen), Vihara (normal daily activities and therapeutic procedure), and modifications in psychological behaviour. Having a healthy pregnancy is one of the best ways to promote a healthy birth. Getting early and regular prenatal care improves the chances of a healthy pregnancy.

Ayurvedic Principles Of Prenatal Health Care

Ayurveda is entirely dedicated to the health and welfare of mankind through the achievement of Dharma (righteous living), Artha (wealth), Kama (aspirations), and Moksha (salvation).

The growth and development of the Garbha (fetus) depend on the health, activities, mental status, and diet of the mother. Thus, the pregnant women desirous of the virtuous child should indulge in prescribed diet and regimen termed as Garbhiniparicharya or Garbhopakrama.

Ayurveda prescribes an action plan for pregnant ladies comprising congenial food, physical activities, balanced states of mind, and plant-based medicines for the maintenance of pregnancy (Garbhasthapaka Dravyas).

As per Ayurveda the Ahara (food) consumed by Garbhini (pregnant women) will transform into Rasa Dhatu, which has trifold action to nourish a woman’s body, to help in the formation of Stanya (breast milk), and to nourish the Garbha (fetus).

Principle Of Aharakrama (Food Regimen)

The general principle of Aharakrama (food regimen) advised for Garbhini (pregnant women) is as follows:

• Satmyabhojana (wholesome diet).
• Madhura Rasa (sweet substances).
• Sheethaguna (cooling nature).
• Sheethaveerya (cold potency).
• Dravaprayam (liquid diet).

Diet And Lifestyle In Pregnancy

Garbhini paricharya is essential for safe motherhood and healthy progeny. Garbhini ahara-vihara plays a very important role in Ayurveda. Modern medical science also believes that fetal growth is dependent on the appropriate diet and lifestyle of the pregnant mother.

Garbhini paricharya is divided into three categories such as Masanumasik Pathya ahara and Vihara (monthly dietary regimen and lifestyle), Garbhasthapak karma (diet and activities for maintenance of pregnancy and better progeny), and avoidance of Garbhopaghatakar Bhavas (diet and activities which are harmful to the fetus).

Month-wise Regime:

The requirement of mother nutrition varies according to the development of the fetus and changes month-wise.

• First month

  A pregnant woman should take natural supplements like grapes, dates, and sweet herbs with milk.

• Second month

  Have milk mixed with the above-mentioned natural supplements.

• Third month

  Have the same sweet natural supplements, but now mix them with milk, honey, and ghee.

• Fourth month

  Continue taking the same sweet supplements with milk. This time replace ghee with butter [12 – 15g] made from milk.

• Fifth month

  Continue the supplement regime of the fourth month. Oil application and gentle massage followed by a bath with lukewarm water are recommended. Continue this till delivery.

• Sixth month

  Continue the supplement regime of the fifth month.

• Seventh month

  Mothers-to-be may feel an itchy sensation on the breast and abdomen or a burning sensation in the chest or throat due to the increased size of the fetus. Eat food in smaller quantities, frequently, and a bite of sweet something with a little ghee or oil that is easy to digest. Ensure that your salt intake during this period is reduced to a minimum. Also, avoid drinking water immediately after a meal.

• Eighth month

  Eat rice prepared with milk in semi-solid or liquid form with ghee.

• Ninth month

  Follow the same diet as in the eighth month. Meat soup with cooked rice gruel with ghee.

Ayurveda advised that Garbhini (pregnant lady) should take a sweet, liquid, nutritive diet with a good quantity of milk, freshly cooked rice, meat or meat-soup, butter extracted from milk, milk cooked with Madura group of drugs, and other congenial diets.

Effect Of Mode Of Life On The Fetus

• Abode

  The abode of the pregnant woman should be regularly fumigated and be free from mosquitoes etc.

• Bath

  Pregnant women should take a daily bath with water boiled with specific drugs capable of suppressing Vata.

• Daily routine

  Garbhini (pregnant women) should get up in the morning, Follow a healthy routine including moving in the fresh air with deep breathing and light exercise in the sunlight.

• Behavior

  Garbhini (pregnant women) should be made to live in a harmonious, happy atmosphere; the behavior of everyone should be congenial and affectionate. The psychology of the mother influences the psychic development of the fetus.

Mode Of Life Which Is Harmful To The Fetus

Ayurveda believes that suppression of natural urges and use of a non-congenial diet may also be responsible for abnormalities such as weak (intrauterine growth retardation /low birth weight) and blind baby.

Garbhini (pregnant women) should not move in dirty, foul-smelling places; avoid wine and other intoxicants, smoking, and excessive exercise, etc.

Due to Ati-vyayama (physical activities or exercise in excess), Ati-Langan (excessive fasting), Ati-vyavaya (excessive sexual indulgence), Ati-karshana (Excessive emaciation because of the affliction of disease), Chinta Shoka Karshana (weakening due to excess stress, grief, and worries) day sleep, Prajagara (remaining awake at night in excess) and Vegavidharana (suppression of natural urges) affect the different organs or body parts in pregnant women by vitiating the relative dosha and that dosha will also affect the same body parts or organs of the fetus.

In Atulyagotriya Adhyaya of Charak Samhita, it has been mentioned that marriages between two similar ‘Gotras’ should be avoided, otherwise it leads to congenital deformities in children. Besides these, during delivery bearing down or straining in absence of labour pains is contraindicated as it may cause deafness, dumbness, jaw-dislocation, cranial injury, and other deformities.

Effect Of Non-fulfillment Of Dauhrida

Ayurveda describes that in the 4th month of pregnancy mother consider as Dauhrida (one sense organ of the mother and another of the fetus).

If a pregnant mother is not having fulfilled desires during this period it can cause – distorted eyes or no eyes, humpback, crooked arm and legs, mental retardation, dwarf, abnormality in the sense organ, congenital abnormality, and even death of the fetus.

Diseases Happening During Prenatal Period

Ayurveda describes nine diseases, which are caused because of the pregnant status of the woman. These diseases are peculiar to pregnancy and are called garbhopadravas. Some of them are,

• Nausea.
• Anorexia
• Vomiting.
• Dryness of mouth, fever, edema.
• Anemia.
• Diarrhea.
• Retention of urine.

Any disease occurring in a pregnant woman should be treated with drugs that are mild in action, compatible and safe to the fetus. Each of such situations should be carefully managed with safe medicines suggested by a qualified Ayurvedic doctor.

Precautions To Avoid Diseases

• Develop a plan for your reproductive life.
• Increase the daily intake of folic acid (one of the B vitamins) to at least 400 micrograms.
• Make sure your immunizations are up to date.
• Control diabetes and other medical conditions.
• Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs.
• Attain a healthy weight.

AyurvedicTechniques In Prenatal Health Care

Ayurvedic techniques include:

• Dietary changes.
• Herbal medicine, including combining herbs with metals, minerals, or gems (known as Rasha shastra medicines) that can take the form of pellets, tablets, and powders of various colors and scents).
• Acupuncture (practiced by some practitioners).
• Massage.
• Meditation.
• Breathing exercises.
• Panchakarma ('five actions')

  a specialized treatment consisting of five therapies including emesis (vomiting), enemas, and blood-letting, which are meant to detoxify the body and balance the doshas (in Ayurveda, the body’s three vital energies).

• Sound therapy, including the use of mantras.
• Yoga.

Ayurveda is a system of traditional medicine, which uses a range of treatments, including panchakarma ('five actions'), yoga, massage, acupuncture, and herbal medicine, to encourage health and wellbeing.

Tips To Stay Healthy During Prenatal Period

Ayurveda recommends few tips to stay healthy at the time of prenatal period,

• Eat right

  Eating a healthy diet is especially important for pregnant women. Eat plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, calcium-rich foods, and foods low in saturated fat.

• Get your vitamins

  Make sure to get plenty of folic acid and calcium. Spinach, oranges, broccoli, and kidney beans are rich in folic acid. Milk, yogurt, and spinach are packed with calcium. A daily prenatal multivitamin, however, can help ensure you get the right amount. Ask your doctor about taking a daily prenatal vitamin.

• Stay hydrated

  A pregnant woman’s body needs more water than normal. Aim for eight or more cups each day.

• Proper prenatal care

  Women should get regular prenatal care from a healthcare professional. Mothers who don’t get regular prenatal care are much more likely to have a child with low birth weight. If available, consider group prenatal care.

• Avoid certain foods

  There are certain foods that women should avoid eating while pregnant. Do not eat

  raw or rare meats, liver, sushi, raw eggs (also in mayonnaise), soft cheeses (feta, brie), and unpasteurized milk. Raw and unpasteurized animal products can cause food poisoning. Some fish, even when cooked, can be high in mercury.

• Don’t drink alcohol

  Women should not drink alcohol before and during their pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of having a baby with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). FASD can cause abnormal facial features, severe learning disabilities, and behavioral issues.
  
  Alcohol can impact a baby’s health in the earliest stages of pregnancy, before a woman may be aware she is pregnant. Therefore, women who may become pregnant also should not drink alcohol.

• Don’t smoke

  Smoking is unhealthy for you and your unborn child. It increases the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), premature births, miscarriages, and several other unhealthy outcomes.

• Get moving

  Daily exercise is great for most pregnant women. Check with your doctor to find out how much physical activity would be right for you.

• Get a flu shot

  The flu can make a pregnant woman very sick, so ask your doctor about getting a flu shot.

• Get plenty of sleep

  Ample sleep (7 to 9 hours) is important for you and your baby. Try to sleep on your left side to improve blood flow to you and your child.

• Reduce stress

  Reducing stress is crucial for improving birth outcomes. Pregnant women should avoid, as much as they can, stressful situations. Recruit your loved ones to help you with this.

Good care during pregnancy is important for the health of the mother and the development of the unborn baby. Pregnancy is a Crucial time to promote healthy behaviours and parenting skills.

Good AnteNatal Care can also play a critical role in preparing a woman and her family for birth by establishing confidence between the woman and her health care provider and by individualizing promotional health messages.

Conclusion

The above-mentioned information is collected from various Ayurvedic resources. The treatment rules may change based on a person's body nature. So always take the advice of an Ayurvedic practitioner before starting any Ayurvedic techniques and diet during the prenatal period.

References

• Ayurvedic textbooks prescribed by acharyas like Charaka, Sushruta, Vagbhata.
• Ashtanga Hridayam.