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
| Milk |
| Sweet liquid diet |
| Honey with herbs.( the details of herbs used can be obtained by registering in the course of garbh Sanskar) |
2nd month
| Milk with honey |
| Milk with honey and kakoli. |
3rd month
| Milk with butter of A2 type milk and honey |
| Milk with herbs. ( the details of herbs used can be obtained by registering in the course of garbh Sanskar) |
4th month
| Milk with herbs.( the details of herbs used can be obtained by registering in the course of garbh Sanskar) |
| Curd with Satvik cereals |
| Medicated butter of A2 type milk. .( the details of medicines used can be obtained by registering in the course of garbh Sanskar) |
5th month
| Butter of A2 type milk prepared with solution of herbs extract and milk. .( the procedure to make and details of herbs used can be obtained by registering in the course of garbh Sanskar) |
| Cooked frumenty, porridge with butter |
| Sweet curd |
6th month
| Milk prepared with herbs.( the details of herbs used can be obtained by registering in the course of garbh Sanskar) |
| Honey with curd |
| Barley with butter of A2 type milk and herbs |
7th month
| Diet of 6th month |
| Butter of A2 type milk prepared with Prathakparnyadi gana |
Diet of 8th month
| Milk with rice and butter of A2 type milk |
| Herbs – ASTHAPANA BASTI with BADARA KWATH |
| Barley-gruel with milk |
9th month
| Oil prepared with herbs. ( the procedure and details of herbs used can be obtained by registering in the course of garbh Sanskar) |
| Butter with barley- gruel till delivery |
| Different varieties of cereals. |