Ancient medicinal systems suggest woman to avoid * too much talking * too much walking * sleeping late at
night * traveling etc. These indiscretions/unwise actions can bring on labor
prematurely.
In the early months of pregnancy, cooling and nutritive herbs and fluids
are suggested. In the later pregnancy, herbs that are heating, nutritive and
that stimulate the womb are recommended.
Ayurveda suggests that during the last month of pregnancy it is
good to eat eat freshly
prepared foods which are creamy and soft, fat-containing, warm, sweet in
taste and fluid. Some of the typical recipes are
1. Gruel of rice or dalia (broken wheat)
2. Semolina or rava cooked
in milk
3. Rice mixed with Yogurt or curd
4. Wheat tortillas or roti mashed with milk
5. Rice with milk and ghee.
These foods helps digestion, avoid constipation and retention of
urine and gives strength and promotes lubrication and
elasticity in the body. This helps in easy delivery of the baby.
Ayurveda recommends that to facilitate normal functioning of vaayu , one should eat
pungent foods and spices, like black pepper, asafoetida (hing), fenugreeek (methi)
, Bishop weed seeds, garlic, brinjal (egg plant).
It is good to eat frequently
and enough and avoid eating foods which stir up vaayu (gas) like stale, fried
and fermented foods.
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Massage before child birth |
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In ayurveda, massage of the belly and womb of a woman during pregnancy,
child-birth and afterwards is described, with a caution: use light, circular
movements during pregnancy and after child-birth.
Massage of the belly and womb: As pregnancy advances, gentle
abhayanga (massage but without oil) relieves a woman's discomfort while her
body adjusts to the enlarging womb. Massage helps the child to find its
natural position.
In the ninth month, occasional light massage on the belly, thighs, flanks
and lower back helps to relieve tiredness and relaxes and strengthens
the muscles, too.
According to ayurvedic principles, yoga, activities like walking,
diet and herbs are advised for normal labor.
Oil soaked swab in vagina (yoni pichu): In the last month when the
child moves downwards and the time for child-birth approaches, a cotton swab
soaked in medicated oil is placed in the woman's vagina, once a day.
This strengthens the vaginal muscles, prevents sepsis and lubricates the
birth passage. The oils (taila) prescribed are either * neem oil (Azadirachta
indica) or ksheera-baladi taila or plain eranda (castor) oil.
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