Moringa oleifera Lam is a very useful plant. Moringa leaf powder is one of the best vegetarian sources to fight against malnutrition. Moringa is referred to as superfood and can offer an abundance of nutrients that provide health benefits which specifically meet the needs for lactating women, soon to be the mother or a pregnant woman. Moringa leaves can be called a baby-making machine as it helps to enhance fertility in women and provide all the essential nutrients required for a healthy garbh sanskar. In lactating women, moringa leaves help in not only stimulating the production of breast milk but also enhance the production of breast milk. According to a scientific study it has been reported that women who consume moringa leaves after pregnancy produces twice the milk in comparison to the women who don’t consume moringa leaves. Find burniva product too which also helps with your wellness. 

       A study has been performed by health workers from the Church World Service and it is found that moringa leaves are highly nutritious means to cure and prevent malnutrition in lactating women, children, and pregnant women in comparison to expensive sources like vegetable oil, whole milk powder, sugar, and even peanut butter. In the case of infants, it took around 10 days to see improvement with moringa leaves while with other conventional sources it takes months to recover. Moringa leaves contain all amino acids. There are over 46 Antioxidants & 36 Anti-Inflammatory compounds present in the moringa plant leaves.

       Moringa Leaves are full of strength providing essential disease-preventing nutrients and helpful in garbh sanskar. It includes:

• Vitamin A, – it helps in shielding against eye disease, skin disease, heart ailments, diarrhoea, and many other diseases in pregnant women and infants.
• Vitamin C, – it is very necessary for pregnant women it helps in fighting a bulk of illnesses including colds and flu.
• Calcium, – moringa fulfils the requirement of calcium it helps to build strong bones and teeth and helps prevent osteoporosis in pregnant women and infants.
• Potassium, – it is mandatory in many biochemical reactions of the human body like glycogenesis, keeping the blood pressure normal and essential for the functioning of the brain and nerves for pregnant women it is a valuable gift from moringa leaves.
• Proteins, – moringa leaves keep the healthy protein level in pregnant women.
• Iron – moringa leaves are a rich source of iron. If women consume moringa leaves she doesn’t need an alternative source of iron in pregnancy.

  Table: nutrient value present in 100gm of moringa Leaves. 

Phytochemistry of moringa Leaves

Phytochemicals present in moringa are, rich in medicinal value. On examination of the photochemical present in moringa species, it is found that it contains a range of fairly unique secondary metabolites. It contains simple sugar called rhamnose, glucosinolates, and isothiocyanates. The anticancer and hypotensive compound present in moringa are niazimicin, pterygospermin, 4-(4′-O-acetyl-L-rhamnopyranosyl oxy) benzyl isothiocy-anate, benzyl isothiocyanate, 4-(a- L-rhamnopyranosyl tosyloxy) benzyl isothiocy-anate, and 4-(a-L-rhamnopyranosyl pyranosyl oxy) benzyl glucosinolate. Along with these unique compounds moringa is also a rich source of a-carotene or pro-vitamin A), minerals and other vitamins.

Note: it is recommended to pregnant women not consume moringa bark, roots and flowers as it consists of phytochemicals that have contracting activity in the body. It may lead to miscarriage. Please consult a doctor before taking the whole moringa as a food source while in pregnancy. In this article only the health benefits of moringa leaves in garbh sanskar has been discussed.

Diet of pregnant women: from Garbh Sanskar prospective 

Pregnancy brings many changes in women’s body. The formation of a baby in the womb is responsible for the decrease of nutrient in the mother’s blood because the nutrient as been taken from non-other then mother’s own body. Thus if proper diet is not been followed it will cause weakness in mothers body and so the fetus. To ensure the proper growth and development of the baby in the womb it is mandatory to consume a complete and healthy diet. One has to make sure the diet of pregnant women is consist of all the required nutrients and energy sources which are required by fetus and mother as well therefore in garbh Sanskar there was the practice of teaching about proper diet to pregnant women so that they prevent dehydration and malnutrition.

  The first trimester of pregnancy brings nausea and vomiting to many women, which interfere with their proper diet therefore in garbh Sanskar counselling of women they had been taught to take cold and sweet liquid diet and milk to prevent any dehydration and malnutrition. In Ayurveda, the herbs and food are divided according to their nature, in the first trimester the women pregnancy they are suggested to take food under the category of madhura. The food comes under this category are anabolic and helps to maintain the health of baby and mother. 

Fourth month onwards in pregnancy muscular tissue of baby starts to form thus the baby required more protein. The women’s of ancient India were aware of this fact because of the teachings of garbh Sanskar, therefore there was practice and still recommended to have protein diet by the fourth month. The women’s are suggested to have pulses, sprouts and curd and food with reach source of protein. By the end of 6th month, most of the women experience the edema of feet and other complication related to the accumulation of water that’s why it been practice to give herb Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris). This Ayurvedic herb prevent water accumulation and helps in the treatment of edema 

It is a practice in garbh Sanskar to give the herbs of Vidarigandhadi group by mixing them in a suitable solvent like milk and better according to their character and nature. It helps to prevent emaciation and suppress kapha and pitta. These herbs are diuretic and anabolic and their regular use in the third trimester helps in  maintain the health of mother and baby. It has been observed that most of the women suffer from constipation in late pregnancy because of progesterone and the pressure of grown uterus over the bowels. By 8th month therefore they are recommended to use enema it will not only relieve this constipation but also help in governing myometrium to regulate their function at the time of labour. 

Dietary regimen for pregnant women according to Ayurvedic literature of acharya Charak, and Kashyap.

1st month 

2nd month 

3rd month 

 4th month 

5th month 

6th month 

7th month 

Diet of 8th month

9th month 

In pregnancy, the placenta plays a very important role in the formation of hormones. These hormones are human chorionic gonadotropin, estrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic somatomammotropin. The first three hormones are very important for a normal pregnancy. It is an amazing fact that the secretion of all these hormones along with the hormones secreted by the pituitary gland and others strongly relates the ancient Indian science of Garbh Sanskar. In India, every newlywed couple were used to subject to the course of Garbh sanskar. This the course is consisting of Ayurveda along with the divine Mantra and Yagya together all three can regulate the secretion of these hormones and their functioning. The recent studies in pharmacology also suggested that the regulation of these hormones can be managed using Herbal medicines. Thus Garbh Sanskar is the key factor for the proper and excellent development of the fetus in the womb.

1. Human chorionic gonadotropin

As we are aware of the fact that menstruation cycle occurs in nonpregnant women about 14 days after ovulation. During menstruation, most of the endometrium wall of the uterus sloughs away from the uterine wall and is expelled to the exterior. If this happens to a pregnant woman then the implantation along with the endometrium wall will be expelled to the exterior, which results in termination of the pregnancy. To prevent the miscarriage in a pregnant woman this human chorionic gonadotropin hormone is secreted by the newly developing embryonic tissue, with the development of trophoblast cells from the early fertilized ovum. The secretion of this hormone can be measured in blood after 8 to 9 days after ovulation; the rate of secretion becomes rapidly high at

10 to 12 weeks after fertilization then further reduced to a lower value by 16 to 20 weeks.

Characterization of human gonadotropin hormone – it is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of about 39000.

Function –

• Persistence of the Corpus Leteum and prevents menstruation.
• It causes corpus Leteum to secrete more quantity of sex hormone which is progesterone and estrogens for the next few months.
• Promotes the growth of endometrium cell line so that a large quantity of food can be stored for the fetus.
• Under the influence of this hormone mother’s ovary grow about twice of its initial size.
• To involutes the corpus Leteum after the 13th to 17th week of pregnancy.

Role of human chorionic gonadotropin on the fetus

This hormone also exerts an interstitial cell stimulation effect which results in the production of testosterone in the male fetus. This small secretion of testosterone during gestation is what causes the fetus to grow to make sex organ instead of female organs.

2. Estrogen and progesterone

The placenta secretes both the estrogen and progesterone from syncytial trophoblast cells of the placenta. The secretion of estrogen is increased by 30 times from normal mother’s estrogen secretion at the end of the pregnancy. The estrogen secreted by the placenta is different from what secrets from the ovary. The estrogen in the placenta is formed by androgenic steroid compounds known as dehydroepiandrosterone and 16-hydroxy dehydroepiandrosterone.

Functions of estrogen and progesterone

• The main function of these hormones is towards the reproductive organ of the mother.
• Estrogen is responsible for the enlargement of the mother’s uterus, breast, and lactation.
• This hormone plays an important role in the enlargement of the mother’s female external genitalia.
• Estrogen relaxes the pelvic ligaments of the mother to allow easy passage to the fetus to go through the birth canal.
• Progesterone plays an important role in early nutrition of embryo by the development of the decidual cells.
• The major function of progesterone is to reduce the contractibility of the uterus to prevent spontaneous abortion.
• Estrogen and progesterone contribute to the reproduction of embryonic cells of the fetus.

3. Human chorionic somatomammotropin

This is the most recent discovered hormone of pregnancy. The human chorionic somatomammotropin is the highest secreted hormone by the placenta during the pregnancy period but its accurate functions are not known yet. The secretion of this hormone starts in the 5th week.

The function of human chorionic somatomammotropin

• It decreases the insulin sensitivity and glucose utilization in the mother and makes it available to the fetus for its proper growth.
• The structure of this hormone resembles the growth hormone but human chorionic somatomammotropin requires 100 times more for growth in comparison to the growth hormone.
• Provides the alternative source of energy by releasing free fatty acids from stored fatty acid in the mother’s body.

It is widely accepted that breastfeeding is the best nutrition an infant can have. Breast milk is an optimal food source for the infant in the almost first year of their birth. One of the aspects of garbh sanskar is Ayurveda, where the mother is properly taught about the physiology of pregnancy and how to opt the best result using Ayurvedic herbs. As we know lactation is the part of pregnancy where mothers body prepares itself for feeding the newborn. In the course of this preparation, the mother’s body goes through some changes. In this article, you will learn about these changes from the perceptive of Ayurveda.

Formation of breast milk (stanya)

Acharya of Ayurveda rishi Kashyapa mentioned that the stanya or breast milk is formed by rasa. This rasa is prashad bhag or bodily fluids, which include blood along with its all component of pregnant women. Now if look at the modern science the hormone estrogen and progesterone is secretion increases in a pregnant woman but it has the adverse effect of lactation it inhibits the actual secretion of milk. Conversely, the hormone prolactin has exactly the opposite effect on milk secretion by promoting it. Thus it can be concluded that in ancient India where garbh sanskar
was a regular practice they were aware of the fact that certain active compounds (hormones) which they called rasa and reflexes were responsible for the breast milk production and its secretion. In garbh sanskar, the lessons for the couple were not only for the duration of pregnancy but also for after the birth of the baby. As per the research is done so far each time the mother nurses the baby, nervous signals from nipples to the hypothalamus causes a 10 to 20 fold surges in prolactin secretion that lasted for 1 hour. In garbh sanskar the mother was taught how to feed the baby, the proper posture, food to eat during lactation, the psychological state of mind, the surrounding of baby and mother, which further enhance the quality and quantity of milk. They were even taught how to communicate with the baby so that baby’s body can absorb complete nutrition from the milk, probably that’s the reason our ancestors were physically and mentally more stable and strong.

Causes of milk ejection ( stanya Pravriti) and cessation (Apravriti).

Acharya Sushruta has clearly stated the factors which result in Stanya Pravriti; they are sight or touch of the child but affection for the child is most important. Scientific study has already proven that when the baby sucks at nipples it creates a reflex which stimulates the hypothalamus and result in milk ejection ( stanya Pravriti). Many psychogenic factors can inhibit the milk ejection to counter react that there is a practice of meditation in garbh sanskar. Thinking lovingly about your baby, the sound of baby, the sight of the baby these images relax the mother and enhance the level of Oxytocin which promotes the “milk ejection” in lactating women. The hindering factors of milk ejection are worried, stress, pain, and doubt therefore in garbh sanskar class there were lessons for whole family so that the new mother doesn’t counter with such emotions.

The merits of Breasts (Stana-Sampat)

According to Ayurveda acharyas, the breast ( stanya) which is comfortable for sucking is stated to be the perfect one. Acharya Charaka describes

The breast which is comfortable for sucking is said to be the merits of the breast ( stana- Sampat) which is not ATILAMBA, ATIKRISHNA, ATIURDHAWA and have appropriate nipple which is easy and approachable for baby to suck milk. If we talk about the abnormalities of the breast then it has been explained in detail by Acharya Sushruta. According to Acharya Sushruta due to feeding abnormal or imperfect breast as LAMBASTANA, URDHWA STANAmakes the child KARALA, URDHWASKSHA means upward-looking, if the baby has to look upward and cover the face and nose while feeding it may result in the death of the baby. Breast size has nothing to do with it but the way you feed your baby is that you have to consider. Therefore in garbh sanskar, proper posture for feeding is being taught to the new mother.

Breastfeeding very important for the infant as the mental and physical development
of the baby depends on it.

There is an ancient saying that a lady is reborn when a mother becomes. This rebirth brings changes in the female body as well. Among many apparent changes caused by the reaction of hormonal changes in the mother’s body or by the fetus is the enlargement of many sexual organs. For instance, the uterus of pregnant women increases from 50 gm to 1100 gm. Breasts become double in size, and at the same time vagina enlarges and the introituses open more widely. Apart from these specific changes hormones causes the marked changes in the body of mother by bringing changes in her appearance like edema, acne and acromegalic features. 

Weight gain in pregnancy –

The average weight gain during the pregnancy is up to 35 pounds and out it, most of this weight is gained in the last two trimesters. In this 35 pound, 8 pounds belong to the fetus and 4 pounds is of amniotic fluid, fetal membranes, and placenta. The increase in uterus size causes a change of 3 pounds in weight and enlargement of breast further enhance 2 pounds in this calculation. Still, the average weight increase of 8 to 18 pounds is because of extra fluid in the blood which contributes 5 pounds along with 3 to 13 pounds due to fat accumulation. During pregnancy, a woman often feels desire for food which is resulted from the cause of removal of food from the mother’s blood. If one doesn’t follow the prenatal diet the average weight gain can result into increase in 75 pounds. 

Metabolism during pregnancy –

The basal metabolism of pregnant women increased by 15 % in the latter half of the pregnancy. This is due to the effect of increased secretion of the number of hormones like thyroxin, adrenocortical and the sex hormones. As a consequence of the increased secretion of metabolic hormones, she becomes overheated and expends more energy for muscle activity. 

Nutrition during pregnancy –

The weight of the fetus becomes doubles in the last two months of the pregnancy. Ordinarily mother does not absorb sufficient amount of nutrition from a diet like calcium, magnesium, protein, iron and other to nourish the fetus; however, this requirement is fulfilled by the stored food in the placenta and other storage depots of the mother’s body. 

If the diet of pregnant women does not contain appropriate nutrition’s it may result in much maternal deficiency especially phosphate, calcium, iron, and vitamins. It is necessary for pregnant women to have the proper amount of vitamin D as the total quantity of calcium used by the fetus is small but mothers gastrointestinal track poorly absorb the calcium without vitamin D. Know about burniva which you may want after pregnancy.  

Changes in the maternal blood circulation system 

The blood flow through the placenta and maternal cardiac output increases by 625 ml in last month. This increased blood flow along with the increased metabolism increases the mother’s cardiac output up to 40% by the 27th week of pregnancy. 

During the pregnancy, the blood volume of the mother’s body also increases by 30 % above normal shortly before term.

Changes in maternal respiration 

As a consequence of the increased metabolic rate and the size of the mother’s body the respiration rate of pregnant women also increases. The total amount of oxygen used by pregnant women shortly before the birth of the baby is increased by 20%. 

It is believed that the high level of progesterone increases the minute ventilation which is maintained by the increases respiration rate. 

Changes in maternal kidney function.

As a result of increased production of salt and water retaining hormones, more specifically the steroid hormones secreted by the placenta and adrenal cortex the reabsorptive capacity for sodium and chloride and water increased by 50 % in the maternal kidney. 

During normal pregnancy, vasodilatation occurs in pregnant women which do increase renal blood flow and glomerular filtration by 50%. The normal pregnant women accumulate 5 pounds of extra water and salt.

You might wonder what exactly happens inside your womb that baby suddenly wants to come out. Just think about it the baby was happy in your womb for 9 months then what provokes him to come outside and see the worlds with their own eyes. In this article, you will learn the various factors responsible for the parturition. Parturition is the term used to define the birth of the baby. Towards the end of the pregnancy, the womb ( uterus) becomes so excited that it develop systematic rhythmical contraction, that finally expelled the baby outside the womb. There are two major reasons for such a change in uterine behaviour:

1.   Hormonal changes in pregnant women.
2.   Mechanical changes in the body of pregnant women. 

Hormonal changes in pregnant women

i) Increase in the ratio of estrogen and progestogen hormone – 

As we know pregnancy begins which the change in hormonal concentration and their ratio in the body of the pregnant women. With the pregnancy, there is an increase in the secretion of estrogen and progestogen.  The role of progestogen is to reduce or better word will be inhibiting the contraction in uterine which helps to prevent the expulsion of the fetus, while estrogen, on the other hand, increases the contraction. During the time of pregnancy, they both secrete in high quantity but from the seventh month onwards the secretion of estrogen increases further while progestogen remains constant. This ratio of estrogen and progestogen further enhance at 9th month which results in contraction of uterine. 

ii) The rise in the level of Oxytocin Hormone – there are strong reasons to believe that Oxytocin is responsible for the contraction of uterine. It has been observed that during the time of labor the level of Oxytocin is increased even the receptor of Oxytocin in uterine wall increases. The experiments on an animal show that the stretching of the uterine cervix, as occurs in pregnancy can cause neurogenic reflex which increases the secretion of Oxytocin. 

iii) Effect of fetal hormones on uterine- the fetus’s pituitary gland also secretes the number of hormones which results in contraction of uterine. These hormones are Oxytocin; Cortisol along with this fetal membrane also secretes the prostaglandins in high concentration which further excite the uterine wall. 

Mechanical changes in the body of pregnant women. 

 There is a number of mechanical changes along with the hormonal changes that found to play an important role in uterine contraction. 

i) Stretch of the uterine musculature – the fetal movement in the uterine causes the intermittent stretch in the smooth muscles of uterine musculature which results in contraction of uterine. It has been observed that the twins are born 19 days earlier than a single child; however, this fact explains the importance of stretch of uterine muscles because of fetal movements. 

ii) Stretch of the cervix – the exact mechanism of the stretch of the cervix is not known yet but it has been suggested that stretching of irritation cause of stretching of cervix or movement of baby’s head stimulate the reflexes to the uterine wall which results in contraction. 

iii) Labor contraction – throughout the pregnancy duration, the body goes with systematic rhythmic contraction. This periodic contraction is known as Braxton Hicks contraction. However, this contraction becomes stronger towards the end of pregnancy. Then this contraction suddenly becomes too strong that the baby is forced towards the birth canal. This sudden contraction in muscles is known as labor.

Have you ever wonder, how your baby inside your womb feed himself. The growth of baby starts from a single cell and later the same cell forms the complete body by feeding himself with protein, carbohydrates, lipids, and many more metabolites. These entire nutrients come from the mother’s body through the placenta that’s a well-known fact but does you know placenta starts providing nutrition from the 16th day of fertilization. (Fertilization is the process in which sperm penetrates the ovum and forms zygote. The zygote is the first cell of your baby which latter by the process of cell division forms the complete body of the baby. ) what happens before that? How baby feed himself before the formation of the placenta? Well in this article you will learn about

Early nutrition of the fetus

The function of the placenta

Early nutrition of the fetus

In the body of the mother a hormone named progesterone secreted in the latter half of the each monthly sexual cycle. This hormone has an effect on the uterus. The cell line of the uterus called uterine endometrium converts into swollen cells because of this hormone. Now when this cell is swollen they develop extra space in them which is filled by extra quantities of glycogen, protein, lipids and many more minerals necessary for the development of the conceptus. (The embryo and its adjacent parts of associated membranes are called conceptus). When the conceptus (baby) implants in the uterus, the continued secretion of the hormone progesterone further enhance the surface area of the uterine endometrium cells which results in even more storage of food inside the cells. A type of cell called trophoblast cells invades this uterine endometrium followed by the digestion and imbibing the same. This is the only way of nutrition for the embryo until the formation of the placenta. The amazing fact is that the baby keeps feeding some of the nutrition by this way up to 8 weeks of their growth.

Function of placenta

The transport of the nutrient and other substance through placenta take place by the process of diffusion that is the transfer of a substance from higher density to lower density. In the starting, the placental cells are not fully developed therefore the diffusion occurs at a very low rate. Conversely, in later months of pregnancy, the permeability of placental cell increases because of thinning of the placental membrane, as well as the surface area, also expands which result in the tremendous exchange of matter between mother and fetus. The function of the placenta is listed below

1. The major function of the placenta is to provide oxygen. You must know that the fetal haemoglobin can carry 20 to 50 per cent more oxygen than maternal haemoglobin. This is what makes the fetal blood alkaline.   
2. Diffusion of Carbon Dioxide from fetal blood to the mother’s blood. The only way of excreting the Carbon Dioxide in the fetus is through the placenta. The pressure of CO2 in fetal blood is 2 to 3 Hg higher then mother along with the extreme solubility of CO2 in the placental membrane allows the rapid diffusion of Carbon Dioxide. The diffusion of CO2 from fetal blood to mother’s blood is 20 % higher.
3. Transport of required nutrient through the placental membrane from mother to baby.
4. Excretions of waste products from fetal blood to the mother’s blood. These waste products include uric acid, urea, and creatinine.
5. Along with all these necessary antibodies also transported from mothers blood to the fetus.

It is a well-known fact that pregnancy brings changes in the body. Not only the mother body but the fetus also goes to many changes while the mother body is getting adjusted with pregnancy.
The organs of women body shift from their places to make space for the baby in the body but there are many other changes that aren’t visible at first glance. Here are surprising crazy facts about pregnancy.
1. Oral sex can make you pregnant, yup you read it correct. A girl from Lesotho who was born without the vagina becomes pregnant when she performed oral sex and got stabbed with a knife in the stomach.
2. The amniotic fluid is mostly sterile urine. In fact, the baby in the second trimester drinks their pee and then pee and drink it again.
3. The size of uterus increases and can expand up to 500 times from its original size.
4. The longest pregnancy occur to Penny Diana Hunter which was reported to be of 375
5. The shortest pregnancy recorded was of 21 weeks and four days.
6. The blood volume of pregnant women increases by 40- 50% to provide enough oxygen to the baby.
7. To pump the increased amount of blood in the body the size of the heart also increases while you are pregnant.
8. The voice of women does change during pregnancy because of hormonal changes in their body. These changes bring swelling of vocal cords.
9. The size of the feet increases.
10. You know a new mother and even pregnant women can actually lactate automatically when they hear a baby crying doesn’t matter the baby is their own or someone else. Motherhood.
11. Females born with all the eggs they will ever use in their life but boys develop sperm at the time of puberty
12. Pregnancy can induce and improve your sense of smell.
13. It’s an amazing fact to know that the baby can actually test the food in the womb which has been eaten by the mother.
14. The baby of about 18 weeks is able to hear their mother’s voice in the womb.
15. At about 25-26 weeks foetus becomes responsive to their mother’s voice.
16. Pregnancy can cause gestational diabetes.
17. Relaxin a hormone releases during pregnancy which loosens the joints during pregnancy.
18. Your skin colour changes during pregnancy.
19. There is a genetic syndrome known as Turner syndrome in which female is born with only one X chromosome which means she cannot reproduce.
20. Women with blood group A have a high rate of fertility and women with blood group O finds hard to conceive. Strange.
21. Women pregnant with the baby boy have more tendency of autoimmune disorder.
22. Foetus does actually cry in womb. Seriously.
23. Orgasm can be the reason for contraction.
24. The baby’s fingerprint develops at the first trimester.
25. Pregnant women develop 5% extra muscle, probably to manage extra weight.
26. Pregnancy boosts the metabolism rate in pregnant women.
27. Baby learns its mother tongue in the womb. Amazing, it means you can actually teach and form the thinking pattern of your baby’s brain right in the womb.
28. With the increase in age, the percentage of conceiving reduces. At the age of 30, the rate of conceiving reduces to 20 %, which further decreases to 5 % at the age of 40 years.
29. The amount of oestrogen produced in a day in the body of pregnant women is more to the amount of oestrogen production by the nonpregnant female in 3 years. Wow.
30. Pregnancy can turn your once white teeth to yellow, pregnancy can develop plaque in mother.
31. The food cravings in pregnancy are actually reasonable.
32. Well, this amazing not only women but your partner may develop the same experience or share some symptoms of pregnancy this is called couvades syndrome.
33. It’s not just the mother’s body which helps the baby to develop its organs but fetus stem cell also travels in the mother’s body and help to repair the mother’s body in return.
34. At the time of giving birth to the baby, pelvic bones may get separated and in some cases, they never come back to the same positions.
35. Pregnancy can induce the Carpal tunnel syndrome in mother.
36. During pregnancy, you will experience that you actually sweat more.
37. During childbirth, the placenta is 1/6th of the baby’s weight. That’s pretty heavy.
38. Pregnancy brings the glow in your skin and your hair get thicker and shinier. Well, that sounds good.

There is increasing evidence that environmental pollution has a hazardous effect on the health of pregnant women and the development of the child in uterus. In womb exposure to environmental chemical, toxins have an adverse effect on both childhood and adult. The effect of pollutant has been liked to diseases, including autism, high blood pressure, ADHD, mental disorders, heart disease, and many more.
The pesticides used in agriculture contain oestrogenic endocrine-disrupting chemicals or EDCs which mimic mammalian sex hormone oestradiol and interfere with the development of the baby in the uterus. EDCs advances puberty in humans and alter their reproductive functioning by a genital abnormality in boys and early sexual maturation in girls.
The literature on human health categorizes the most studied environmental toxicant are heavy metals, mercury, air pollutant, water pollutant, pesticides, and arsenic. These environmental toxicants may adversely affect the birth weight of an unborn child by resulting in low birth weight, preterm birth, birth defects, and intrauterine growth restriction. There are growing works of literature on the effect of chemicals such as bisphenyl A, phalates and perchlorates about their ubiquitous nature and endocrine disruptors. Consuming fish in pregnancy may increase the risk of exposure to mercury which is potentially hazardous at any stage of developing a fetus. According to the scientific studies done so far on the effect of exposure to environmental toxicant to pregnant women are listed below.
1. Exposure to Environmental toxicant such as air pollutant in pregnant women may increase the risk of preterm delivery or low birth weight.
2. Children of 0- 5 years old have more chances of being asthmatic who has encounter perinatal exposure to air pollution.
3. Harvard school of public health conducted a study and found that there is a connection between exposure to an environmental toxicant in pregnant women and autism.
4. Air pollution can also induce the behavior like OCD obsessive compulsive disorder and ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder etc in the child when women had one through exposure to air pollutant during pregnancy.
5. There are sever cases in which environmental toxins can lead to sudden infant death syndrome SIDS or stillbirths.
6. Toxicant such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PAH’s can also adversely affect the intelligence of baby right from the womb

The question arises to us is how to fight or reduce the adverse effect of environmental toxicant in pregnant women. Giving thought to the reduction of exposure to the environmental toxicant three general approaches can be helpful to us.
1. The source of toxicant should be targeted and strategies should be prepared to reduce exposure of targeted sites to pregnant women.
2. Identification of environmental toxicant present in our communities should be considered as the second approach.
3. The third approach is communication with the pregnant women present in our communities and discussing the effect of environmental toxicant on both their fetus and themselves.