Pregnancy is considered to be one of the most beautiful experiences of a woman’s life. It is a time when everything the pregnant mother experiences should be nourishing to the mother and child.
Ayurveda, the holistic system of medicine teaches that pregnancy is sacred and must be carefully planned and prepared. There are specific recommendations in Ayurveda to bring about a state of balance in the consciousness, mind, body, behavior, and environment of the pregnant woman.
For Healthy Pregnancy, Ayurveda Recommends:
- Sattvic Diet:
The main aim during pregnancy is to balance vata, the energy of the nervous system. This can be best done with a diet of sattvic food. When considering foods to eat during pregnancy “sattvic” is the key word which means: pure, easily digested foods that nourish the dhatus (tissues) of the mother and the unborn child, and are filled with purity and life-force energy. This includes seasonal fruits, green leafy vegetables, Milk, Ghee (clarified butter) and grains. - Foods to Avoid:
Ayurveda recommends limiting foods that are highly stimulating, for example- sugars, caffeine or highly spiced dishes. Foods that are fried, canned, fermented or leftovers should be avoided during pregnancy. - Enjoy all the Tastes:
During pregnancy much of the diet should be in a liquid or semi-liquid form, moist, nourishing, and enriched with all the six rasas (Tastes), namely : sweet, salty, sour, bitter, astringent and pungent. - Warm Milk :
Milk is an ideal source of calcium since it contains both lactose, butter fat and moderate amount of protein and has anabolic property, so it gives strength to a woman. Beside it acts as a laxative and is sufficient to cure constipative tendency of mother-to-be. The intake of warm milk decoctions medicated with sweet herbs like Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Yasthimadhu (Glycyrrhizaglabra), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri); all of which are jivaneeya (life-supporting) and garbhasthapak (helping maintain implantation) are recommended. To an expecting mother, milk, honey and ghee is appreciated in all the three trimesters. - Life Style:
The mental state of the mother and her thoughts has a significant bearing on the psychological traits of the fetus. The mental state of the mother during the pregnancy is to a great extent responsible in shaping the child’s personality. She should remain happy and positive during the gestation period and avoid negative thoughts like anger, anxiety or stress. The expectant mother should follow a healthy routine with a mixture of religious activities and meditation. The pregnant mother should regularly follow an exercise and yoga regime. The exercise and yoga are important because they prepare the abdomen, sacral area and the spine for delivery.
Wishing you all a Happy Mother’s Day !!
