Review Article: Scope of Ayurveda in Antenatal Care WSR to Garbhini Paricharya

Abstract

The aim of reproductive and child health program of government of India is to get a healthy child from a healthy mother. The woman is considered as one of the most essential factors for the continuity of the human race. Garbhini paricharya (Antenatal Care) means all round care of the pregnant women. According to modern science, antenatal care is a systemic supervision of the pregnant women. It should be started from confirmation of pregnancy to the delivery. During Garbhavastha (pregnancy), she experiences lots of anatomical as well as physiological changes at the level of Dosha (body humors), Dhatu (Body tissues) and Mala (body waste products). During pregnancy women experiences features like edema, pallor, heartburn, vomiting, constipation, weakness, increase in weight and abdominal fundal height, etc such changes though physiological may turn in to pathology, so prevention of these must so she has to take a range of medicine. These changes are nothing but maternal adaptation to the increasing demand of the growing foetus. The Growth and development of foetus requires more nutrition from mother. This causes increased workload on the maternal Dhatus (Body tissues), so she needs extra nutrition during Garbhavastha (Pregnancy). Now a days due to change in life style i.e. sedentary and increased stress, strain due to this has increased incidence of pregnancy complications, abnormal labor that leads to surgical incidence in conducting delivery. Aim of Garbhini paricharya (Antenatal care) is to develop all the Dhatus (Body tissues) of the pregnant women and foetus and decreases adverse outcome of pregnancy. Ancient Indian physicians were very much aware of this fact and various diet recipes and regimens have elaborately mentioned in our Samhitas (Ayurvedic Texts) under the heading of Garbhini paricharya (Anti natal care). According to all acharyas the commonly used drugs in garbhini paricharya (Antenatal care) are brumhana (nourishing), Madhura (sweet), Snigdha (unctuous) these drugs help in achieving the good health, energy, strength, complexion of the child. Ayurveda has suggested a very good protocol Masanumasika Garbhini Paricharya (month wise antenatal care) i.e. Ahara (diet), Vihara (lifestyle), Vichara (psychological aspect) to be followed during pregnancy with respect to each month. This article describes an Ayurveda perspective of Ahara- Vihara (Diet and Regimen) W.S.R to Masanumasika Garbini Paricharya (month wise antenatal care).