1,214
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 1:
Line 1: − + − + Line 21:
Line 21: − + − Location+ − Measurements + − Materials used for construction+ − Walls+ − Temperature+ − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − Herbal medicines to be stored in Sutikagara+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − Foods − Tools+ − People allowed and their qualities+
no edit summary
Sutikagara refers to the the specially designed labour room for a pregnant woman who is about to deliver a baby or has just delivered a baby. This room is the place for residence of a woman a few days before labour , during labour and few days after labour till she needs specific attention and care. Ayurveda scholars have paid detail attention to it
Sutikagara refers to the the specially designed labour room for a woman who is about to deliver a baby in few months or has just delivered a baby. This room is a place for residence of a woman a few days before labour , during labour and few days after labour till she needs specific attention and care. Ayurveda scholars have paid detail attention to its structure, arrangements, facilities and all other relevant details.
== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
Today we see that the pregnant women get admitted to the hospital once the labour pains begin or a day before their planned day for caesarian section. Institutional deliveries have started in recent times in world after the rise of western medicine. However before that, the women used to deliver babies at home under the guidance and assistance of a skilled, experienced midwifes. Ayurveda scholars had deeply studied and understood the need of implementing special safety measures during labor so as to ensure safety and wellbeing of woman in labour and the newly born baby. For that Ayurveda recommends construction of a place named as 'Sutikagara' which is specially designed for delivery. Thus Sutikagara helps a medical person or vaidya to make preparation for labour and management of complications that might arise during or post labobur. It isolates mother and newly born baby from rest of the family and friends so as to ensure their safety and wellbeing during and post labor when their immune function is weak and they are susceptible for infections.
Today we see that the pregnant women get admitted to the hospital once the labour pains begin or a day before their planned day for caesarian section. Institutional deliveries have started in recent times in world after the rise of western medicine. However before that, the women used to deliver babies at home under the guidance and assistance of a skilled, experienced midwifes. Ayurveda scholars had thoroughly studied and understood the need of implementing special safety measures during labor so as to ensure safety and wellbeing of woman in labour and the newly born baby. For that, Ayurveda recommends construction of a place named as 'Sutikagara' which is specially designed room for delivery. Thus Sutikagara helps a medical person or a [[Vaidya (वैद्यः)|vaidya]] to make arrangements for labour procedure and management of complications that might arise during or post labour. The separate room of Sutikagara isolates mother and newly born baby from rest of the family and friends so as to ensure their safety and wellbeing during and post labor when their immune function is weak and they are susceptible for infections. Some relate Sutikagara with modern day accouchment ward.
== Etymology ==
== Etymology ==
== Structure of sutikagara ==
== Structure of sutikagara ==
Sutikagara is a temporarily made structure for delivery of a woman. It is not multipurpose nor is used for more than one woman. Thus it has be built specifically for one woman and then dismantled once the purpose is served.
Sutikagara is a temporarily made structure. It is not multipurpose nor it is used for more than one woman. Thus it has be built specifically for one woman and then dismantled once the purpose is served. The structure of sutikagara should be as described below, <ref>Charaka Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/ecaraka/?mod=read&h=sUtikAgAr Sharirasthanama Adhyaya 8 Sutra 33)]</ref> <ref>Sushruta Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read&h=sUtikAgAr Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 10 Sutra 5])</ref>
When to build ?- It is advised to build the sutikagara well in advance before delivery and ideally before the starting of the 9th month. The auspicious day is selected for starting the construction of the sutikagara.
Location - The land for the sutikagara should be carefully selected. It should be free from stones, sand, gravel, earthen pot pieces (and any waste products dumped onto it). It should be thoroughly cleaned before construction. The place should also not have any smell or odours and unpleasant site.
Measurements - Acharya Sushruta has suggested that, the land should be approximately 12 feet long and 6 feet wide. It should be covered on the top properly.
Direction- It should be east or north facing.
Materials used for construction - The structure is wooden. Thus the woods of specific plants have been suggested to build it. Woods of medicinal plants like Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Tinduka (Diospyrus malbarica), Inguda (Balanites aegyptica), Khadira ( Acacia catechu) or Bhallataka (Semicarpus anacardium) are suggested for use. One can use other woods with the help of experts of [[Atharvaveda (अथर्ववेदः)|Atharvaveda]], when these woods are not available in the vicinity.
Specifications according to varnashramadharma
Walls - The walls should be smeared well with the help of cow dung.
Temperature - The construction should be comfortable for any season or the season in which the delivery will be conducted.
Facilities- Separate places for cooking, water storage, medicine preparation (mortar & pestle), latrine and bathroom should be created at appropriate place as suggested by the Vastuvidyakushala (architect).
Safety- As a part of traditionally practiced safety measures, it is advised that upon construction, appropriate rakshavidhi (offering prayers, sacrifices, auspicious chanting) should be conducted.
Specifications according to [[Varnashrama Dharma (वर्णाश्रमधर्मः)|Varnashrama Dharma]] - Acharya Sushruta has interestingly described a customized sutikagara construction based on Varnashramas. The selection of a type of land, wood for construction is different for each varnashrama as below,
{| class="wikitable"
|+Customized approach to build Sutikagara based on Varnashrama
!Varnashrama
!Colour of the soil or Land selected for Sutikagara construction
!Wood used in construction
|-
|Brahmana
|White
|Bilva (Aegle marmelos)
|-
|Kshatriya
|Red
|Nyagrodha (Ficus bengalhensis)
|-
|Vaishya
|Yellow
|Tinduka (Diospyros malabarica)
|-
|Shudra
|Black
|Bhallataka (Semicarpus anacardium)
|}
It is needed to explore the properties of each of the different types of land and woods to understand their specific health benefits for a woman having peculiarities associated with certain Varnashrama to which she belongs.
== Arrangements in sutikagara ==
== Arrangements in sutikagara ==
Along with the facilities to fulfill daily needs of a woman Sutikagara should be well equipped with all the necessary herbs, medicines and other tools to facilitate smooth delivery and post partum period after that. Following things should be made available in Sutikagara according to Ayurveda scholars.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Medicines and Herbs
!Food items
!Beverages and fermented drinks
!Other tools
|-
| rowspan="7" |Various herbs like- Vidanga, Shunthi, Pippali, Marich, Pippalimoola, Langali, vacha, ela, atasi, Chavya, chitraka etc.
|Ghruta (Ghee)
|Sura (A specific type of liquor or wine)
|2 pieces of stones
|-
|Tailam (Oil)
|Asava (Fermented herbal liquid medicinal formulations)
|Instruments made up of iron
|-
|Madhu (Honey)
|Maireya (A type of an intoxicating drink useful as medicine in certain situaitons)
|Gold or silver made needles
|-
|Different types of Lavana (medicinal salts )
|
|Mortar and Pestle
|-
|Lashuna (Garlic)
|
|2 wooden Beds
|-
|Sarshapa (Mustard)
|
|Firewoods
|-
|YAwagu (Rice gruel)
|
|Other instruments or tools advised by experienced old ladies or midwives etc.
|}
Along with the above mentioned items who can be present or who should be available easily near Sutikagara has also been mentioned in Ayurveda samhitas. According t o
स्त्रियश्च बह्व्यो बहुशः प्रजाताः सौहार्दयुक्ताः सततमनुरक्ताः प्रदक्षिणाचाराः प्रतिपत्तिकुशलाः प्रकृतिवत्सलास्त्यक्तविषादाः क्लेशसहिन्योऽभिमताः, ब्राह्मणाश्चाथर्ववेदविदः; यच्चान्यदपि तत्र समर्थं मन्येत, यच्चान्यच्च ब्राह्मणा ब्रूयुः स्त्रियश्च वृद्धास्तत् कार्यम्
== Process of entering the sutikagara ==
== Process of entering the sutikagara ==