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Line 178: − + − * Harsh or violent activities [Cha.Sa. Sharira Sthana 4/18] − + + + + + + + + + + + − * Coitus [Su.Sa. Sharira Sthana 10/3]+ + − + + − * Sleeping in day time [Su.Sa.Sharira Sthana 10/3]+ − * Awakening in night [Su.Sa. Sharira Sthana 10/3]+ + − + + + + + + + + − * Suppression of natural urges [Su.Sa. Sharira Sthana 10/3]+ − + − * Prolonged stay in hot sun or near fire[A.S. Sharira Sthana 2/60] − − * Fasting [A.S. Sharira Sthana 2/60] − − * Lifting heavy weight [A.Hr. Sharira Sthana 1/44] − − * Eating clay[Ha. Sa. Tritiya Sthana 49] − − − − * The pregnant woman is advised to wear amulet made of Operculina turpethum (trivrit ) in her waist during pregnancy. After delivery she is advised to wear it over her head. [Ka.Sa. Khila Sthana 10/181] − − * For prevention of abortion, intrauterine death of fetus, premature delivery etc. a protection band (varana bandha) is also recommended which is to be done before 8th month. A special spiritual strategy called ‘matangi vidya” is recommended for such rituals by acharya Kashyapa. [Ka. Sa. Kalpa Sthana 6/80] − In current clinical settings, these practices are not followed. However, the scientific studies on these practices may provide newer insights in preventive antenatal care.+ − − − The pregnant woman shall be well behaved with everyone. Respecting and treating the elders, priests etc. in good manner is recommended. [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 10/3], [ Ka. Sa. Sharira Sthana 5/15]. − '''Behavior of husband and attendants:'''+ − Affectionate and gentle behavior of husband and servants towards the pregnant woman helps in maintaining the healthy status of pregnancy. She should be pleased with things of her desire and those which are wholesome. [A. Hr. Sharira Sthana 1/43]+ + − + − Her sleeping and sitting place should be covered with soft cushion or mattress. They should not be very high and should possess elevated upper portion for head rest to make it perfect and very comfortable. [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 10/3]+ + − The abode should be fumigated with fragrant drugs and it should be free from insects like mosquito etc. Vedic hymns should be recited by the people well versed in it and vocal and instrumental music should be played by the musicians. [Ka.Sa. Sharira Sthana 5/14]+ + − + + + + + + + − +
Pre-natal Samskaras (जन्मात्पूर्वसंस्काराः) (view source)
Revision as of 18:18, 6 May 2022
, 18:18, 6 May 2022no edit summary
=== Diet to be avoided ===
=== Diet to be avoided ===
Following diet should be avoided by an expectant mother to ensure the well-being of mother and baby. <ref>Charaka Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 4 Sutra 18)</ref> <ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 10 Sutra 3)</ref> <ref>Ashtanga Hrudaya (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutra 44 )</ref>
Following diet should be avoided by an expectant mother to ensure the well-being of mother and baby. <ref name=":2">Charaka Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 4 Sutra 18)</ref> <ref name=":3">Sushruta Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 10 Sutra 3)</ref> <ref name=":4">Ashtanga Hrudaya (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutra 43-44 )</ref>
* अतिगुरुउष्णतीक्ष्ण - Excessive heavy to digest, hot and pungent substances
* अतिगुरुउष्णतीक्ष्ण - Excessive heavy to digest, hot and pungent substances
=== Activities to be avoided ===
=== Activities to be avoided ===
Along with the diet mentioned in previous section, following activities of a pregnant woman can also prove potentially harmful for her health as well as baby's health. Thus following activities should be avoided for best pregnancy outcomes.
Along with the diet mentioned in previous section, following activities of a pregnant woman can also prove potentially harmful for her health as well as baby's health. Thus following activities should be avoided for best pregnancy outcomes. <ref name=":2" /> <ref name=":3" /> <ref name=":4" /> <ref>Ashtanga Samgraha (Sharira Sthana Adhyaya 2 Sutra 60)</ref>
* Ride over vehicle running on uneven path [Cha.Sa. Sharira Sthana 4/18]
* Heavy exercises
* Sleeping during day time and keeping awake at late night.
* Squatting posture for long time (In older times people in Bharata used to sit on the floor in this position for a long time. It can be seen in rural parts of India even in today's time.)
* Coitus
* Continuous exposure to heat, fire and sun.
* Fasting
* Suppression of [[Vega (वेगाः)|vegas]] or natural urges like flatus, feces, urine, sneeze, hunger, thirst etc.
* Lifting heavy weights.
* Activities like walking on uneven path, riding over vehicle which can give jerks, violent activities
* Wearing cloths of red color is prohibited and she is advised to wear as much whites as possible.
* Traditionally it is said that a pregnant woman should watch pictures of white bull or horse daily. These 2 are the symbols of strength, appropriate physical body and charm.
=== Amulet for pregnant woman ===
Kashyapa samhita offers knowledge of some methods that are beyond a regular pharmaceutical method of management. These methods are suggested to protect a pregnant mother and baby from evil forces that are beyond understanding of a normal human being but those can trouble the mother & baby and may lead to either premature birth or intra uterine death of a baby. For this few measures have been suggested by Acharya Kashyapa that include following things,
* Exercise [Su.Sa. Sharira Sthana 10/3]
* '''Varana Bandha''' (Protection band)- A protection band known as Varana bandha is recommended for pergnant ladies before 8th month of pregnancy. This is done by specialists who have learned and practice a form of vidya (knowledge system) known as '''Matangi vidya'''.<ref>Kashyapa Samhita (Kalpasthanam Adhyaya 6 Sutra 80)</ref> Matangi vidya is one of the mahavidyas known to the yogis who are expert in Tantra.
* Amulet: Use of an amulet made from a medicinal herb Trivrut (Operculina terpethum) is also recommended for pregnant woman by Acharya Kashyapa before and after pregnancy. Before pregnancy the amulet should be tied to the waist while after delivery it is to be worn over the head by mother. <ref>Kashyapa Samhita (Khilasthanam Adhyaya 10 Sutra 181)</ref>
Such practices are known as Daivavyapashraya [[Chikitsa (चिकित्सा)|Chikitsa]] (a type of treatment measure that includes use of gems, sacred threads, chanting mantras etc). Such practices although described in ancient scriptures are not practiced widely in today's time. It could be because of development of western medical science, lack of experts in specific tantras required to practice such traditions and disbelief in occult practices rampant as culture in ancient bharata. However newer insights in preventive antenatal care can be obtained if clinical studies are conducted on these methods.
== Psychological dimensions of prenatal care (Mental health of a pregnant woman) ==
Ayurveda acharyas have deeply discussed about the mind set of a pregnant woman, her emotions, desires and their effect on her pregnancy and baby. They have put forward their findings and opinions about how a pregnant woman should carry herself psychologically in this delicate phase of pregnancy. The ultimate well-being of mother and child is dependent on mother's psyche, emotins, thoughts and behavior. Thus she is advised to try to maintain her overall attitude and behavior in a particular manner so as to get the best pregnancy outcomes. The guidelines are as below,<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 10 Sutra 3)</ref>
* Squatting posture of sitting(utkatakasanam) [Su.Sa. Sharira Sthana 10/3]
* A pregnant woman should try to be in happy mood and mindset throughout the pregnancy.
* She should offer prayers and pay respect to devatas, guru, brahmanas. Respecting and treating elders in good manner is recommended.
* She should always indulge into peaceful and pious activities.
* It is best to avoid anger by a pregnant woman.
* Activities that lead to generations of grief or scare should be avoided.
* Talking very loudly should also be best avoided.
* She should avoid engaging into the conversations or listening/watching something that excites, irritates or disturbs her.
* She should be well behaved with everyone.
== Social dimensions of prenatal care ==
Social dimensions of prenatal care include how an interaction or communication between a pregnant woman and people around her should be in order to get the best pregnancy outcomes. Ayurveda acharyas have also intricately discussed about structure of the room for the pregnant woman. <ref name=":3" /> <ref name=":4" /> <ref>Kashyapa Samhita (Sharirasthana Adhyaya 5 Sutra 14)</ref>
=== Amulet for pregnant woman ===
=== Behavior of a pregnant woman ===
== Social dimensions of prenatal care ==
* She should offer prayers and pay respect to devatas, guru, brahmanas. Respecting and treating elders in good manner is recommended.
* She should avoid engaging into the conversations or listening/watching something that excites, irritates or disturbs her.
* She should be well behaved with everyone.
'''Room settings:'''
=== '''Behavior of husband and attendants:''' ===
* The husband, family members and servants should have an affectionate and gentle behavior towards a pregnant woman. They should avoid talks that generate anger, fear or stress in a pregnant woman.
* The desires of a pregnant woman which are valid and wholesome should be fulfilled by her husband and other members.
=== '''Room settings''' ===
A pregnant woman is advised to follow certain rules related to her daily activities which includes avoiding certain places and some restrictions on her physical activities. Considering these (already discussed in previous sections) the room of a pregnant woman should have certain elements deliberately employed taking into account the pregnancy state. These elements are as below,
Effect of music on maternal psychology and fetal well being is a well explored area of research.
* Any objects that generate fear, stress, anxiety in her should be placed in her room.
* The place should be free from insects like lizard, mosquitoes etc.
* Pictures of or actual site of white horse or white bull (indicating superior physical attributes) should be easily available or visible to her which she can focus daily.
* Sources that generate odor should be cleared away and pleasing fragrances should be sprinkled in the room making the atmosphere peaceful and positive.
* Soft cushions and mattresses should be arranged in her sleeping and sitting place.
* The place to sit and sleep should not be on very high level where she would have to climb or may find difficulty to get down. The sitting or sleeping place should be made comfortable by making
* Music like instrumental music and Vedic mantras to be played or recited by artists and vedic scholar respectively so as to add more positivity to the environment. Effect of music on maternal psychology and fetal well being is a well explored area of research.
== The Medical Basis ==
== The Medical Basis ==
The rules laid down for the health of the pregnant woman are based on the medical knowledge of the ancient people. Sushruta prescribes similar precautions. “From the time of pregnancy she should avoid coition, over-exertion, sleeping in the day, keeping awake in the night, mounting a carriage, fear, sitting like a cock, purgative, phlebotomy and untimely postponement of natural flow of excretion, urine etc.” Thus every possible care was taken to preserve the physical and mental health of the pregnant woman.<ref name=":13" />
The rules laid down for the health of the pregnant woman are based on the medical knowledge of the ancient people.<ref name=":13" /> Most of the do's and dont's can be seen having some background related to the pregnancy physiology discussed in Ayurveda. Interestingly Ayurveda has discussed in depth about not just physical but also psychological and social dimensions of pregnancy and advised a set of rules to be followed or avoid by a pregnant woman in order to get the best pregnancy outcomes. This holistic view about pregnancy care described in Ayurveda empowers the Vaidyas, pregnant ladies and their family to plan, follow or implement the pregnancy regime carefully. Pregnancy regime discussed here in terms of managing physical, mental and social health of a pregnant woman along with the prenatal samskaras discussed earlier when followed religiously can ensure safe mother hood, delivery and healthy progeny. Thus every possible care was taken to preserve the health of the pregnant woman and the baby in womb.
== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />
[[Category:Samskaras]]
[[Category:Samskaras]]