Concept of Pregnancy in Ayurveda

Ayurved describes the general management of pregnancy under Garbhini Vyakaran. Ayurveda discusses the diseases in pregnancy and their treatment and so on. Rules concerning diet, activities, behavior and mental activity (ahar, vihar, achar and vichar respectively) are also laid down. Special care is taken during the time of pregnancy. From the moment the pregnancy is confirmed, the woman is advised to follow certain rules and guidelines. Delivery is not complete unless the placenta is delivered. If the delivery is not normal, says this ancient science; the woman is likely to be affected by one or the other of a list of 64 ailments, which are described in detail in Garbhini Vyakaran.
According to Ayurveda there are four stages of labour. They are as follows:

The development of the foetus in the uterus is described under Garbhavakranti, and special regimens are prescribed for each month under Garbhini Paricharya. The general rule is to take greater care during the first three months of pregnancy and after the completion of the seventh month. Any disease occurring in a pregnant woman should be treated with drugs that are mild in action, compatible and safe to the foetus. Panchakarma (detoxifying procedures) should not be advocated, except basti (enema) and pichu (tampon) in the eighth and ninth months of pregnancy. Ayurved also describes certain diseases, which are caused because of the pregnant status of the woman. These diseases are peculiar to pregnancy and are called garbhopadravas. They are: nausea, anorexia, vomiting, fever, oedema, anaemia, diarrhoea and retention of urine. Each of the diseases has their specific treatments mentioned elaborately in Ayurveda.

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