Ayurveda and pregnancy

BUILDING HEALTHY GENERATIONS
with the help of Ayurveda and Yoga
Dr.Pranita Sushil Deshmukh

Any disease occurring in a pregnant woman should be treated with drugs that are mild in action, compatible and safe to the fetus. Panchakarma (detoxifying procedures) should not be advocated, except basti (enema) in the eighth and ninth months of pregnancy.

Ayurved describes nine diseases, which are caused because of the pregnant status of the woman. These diseases are peculiar to pregnancy and are called garbhopadravas. They are: nausea, anorexia, vomiting, dryness of mouth, fever, edema, anemia, diarrhea and retention of urine. Their specific treatments are also elaborately described.

As far as possible, medication should be avoided during the first three months of pregnancy.We generally advice Pranayama and breathing exercises during first trimester( 3 months).

With these light exercises palpitation,sleep related problems and stress gets relieved.Only symptomatic treatment with very mild herbs and a suitable diet should be offered. The physician take into account the severity of the disease, the resistance power of the mother and the stage of the pregnancy, and choose the middle path so that the disease or the treatments do not result in complications for the mother or the foetus. Several substances are absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy such as vacha (calamus root), kumari (aloe), or myrrh and substances like garlic and strong spices are to be used with extreme caution if at all.

Different types of obstructed labor and their management with maneuvers, especially internal rotation, are also described in this section. However, if the physician realizes that the disease is going to endanger the life of the mother and there is no other remedy, the pregnancy should be terminated without delay.

As we can see from this article, the wealth of ancient Ayurvedic wisdom included the holistic principles of safe and healthy motherhood. Its goals were the same as our modern obstetric physicians: proper formation of the embryo, fetal development without anomalies, a comfortable full-term pregnancy, a timely and non-traumatic delivery, and maintenance of the health of the mother. Given the achievements of 21st century technological and medical sciences and a more detailed and sophisticated understanding of the physiological processes, modern medicine has made great strides in promoting healthy pregnancies. Today we can now recognize and treat many pathological conditions in the fetus or the mother. We also recognize the importance of regular antenatal check ups to detect any changes as early as possible and take appropriate medical interventions. Yet, although it lacks the technological sophistication of modern obstetrics, Ayurvedic wisdom can certainly contribute to this field in important and meaningful ways.