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Ayurveda points out the diet and lifestyle of a pregnant woman which can prove harmful for her health as well as baby's health if she adopts it during pregnancy. These factors are known as Garbhopaghatakara bhavas. (Garbha-baby in womb, Upaghatakara-harmful/damaging, bhavas-factors) It can be seen that such faulty practices can not just cause harm to the health of baby and mother but also have potential to cause abortions, premature births and even intra-uterine deaths.

Ayurveda points out the diet and lifestyle of a pregnant woman which can prove harmful for her health as well as baby's health if she adopts it during pregnancy. These factors are known as Garbhopaghatakara bhavas. (Garbha-baby in womb, Upaghatakara-harmful/damaging, bhavas-factors) It can be seen that such faulty practices can not just cause harm to the health of baby and mother but also have potential to cause abortions, premature births and even intra-uterine deaths.

=== प्रतिषिद्धः आहारः॥ Diet to be avoided ===

==== प्रतिषिद्धः आहारः॥ Diet to be avoided ====

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>

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  

* Food items that cause burning sensation or substances that are sour in taste, garlic, onion, yam (surana) pulses etc can cause gastric disturbances in a pregnant woman and thus can lead to ill health in some pregnant ladies. Hence these should be consumed cautiously and best avoided when the intolerance or allergy to these substances in known.

* Food items that cause burning sensation or substances that are sour in taste, garlic, onion, yam (surana) pulses etc can cause gastric disturbances in a pregnant woman and thus can lead to ill health in some pregnant ladies. Hence these should be consumed cautiously and best avoided when the intolerance or allergy to these substances in known.

=== प्रतिषिद्धः विहारः॥ Activities to be avoided ===

==== प्रतिषिद्धः विहारः॥ 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. <ref name=":2" /> <ref name=":3" /> <ref name=":4" /> <ref>Ashtanga Samgraha (Sharira Sthana Adhyaya 2 Sutra 60)</ref>  

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>  

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.  

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.  

== गर्भिण्यां मानसस्वास्थ्यम्॥ Psychological dimensions of prenatal care (Mental health of a pregnant woman) ==

=== गर्भिण्यां मानसस्वास्थ्यम्॥ 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>

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>

* She should be well behaved with everyone.

* She should be well behaved with everyone.

== Social dimensions of prenatal care ==

=== 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>

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>

=== गर्भिणीधर्मः॥ Behavior of a pregnant woman ===

==== गर्भिणीधर्मः॥ Behavior of a pregnant woman ====

* She should offer prayers and pay respect to devatas, guru, brahmanas. Respecting and treating elders in good manner is recommended.

* She should offer prayers and pay respect to devatas, guru, brahmanas. Respecting and treating elders in good manner is recommended.

* She should be well behaved with everyone.

* She should be well behaved with everyone.

=== गर्भिणीपतिधर्माः ॥ Behavior of husband and attendants ===

==== गर्भिणीपतिधर्माः ॥ 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 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.  

* The desires of a pregnant woman which are valid and wholesome should be fulfilled by her husband and other members.  

=== गर्भिणीगृहरचना॥ Room settings ===

==== गर्भिणीगृहरचना॥ 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,

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,