Ayurveda . Female Health

Ayurveda tips during pregnancy and postpartum

On January 3, 2023 by margheviviani

I would like to talk about recommendations of Ayurveda during pregnancy. So you can learn also another point of view, not only medical. During pregnancy, a woman should avoid that which causes an increase in the Vata dosha in the body or the lower modes of passion and ignorance. Vata dosha is made up of the planets Mars, Saturn, Mercury and the elements of air and ether. Therefore, especially before childbirth, the body must be protected from drying out. If the body is too dry or tight, then childbirth will be more difficult for both the baby and the mother. Therefore, any signs of dryness should be corrected immediately. Some signs of internal dryness can be identified by dryness of the skin or lips. Constipation, hemorrhoids are also signs of internal dryness.

Against dryness, you need a diet that increases Kapha dosha, i.e. drink plenty of fluids, milk, yogurt, more fruits and vegetables rich in fiber, oily foods, prunes, raisins, vitamins A, E, etc.

If there are no special medical contraindications (threat of miscarriage, etc.), it is advisable for pregnant women to move more. Movement increases circulation and metabolism. For pregnant women, blood circulation in the pelvic area is especially important. It is advisable to take small, hourly walks in nature or fresh air every day. This will improve blood circulation and saturate the blood with oxygen necessary for your baby.

It is very useful to do a light oil massage daily. Special attention is paid to the feet, legs, abdomen, back, neck and shoulders, especially if there is a feeling of pain or heaviness in these places. The oil is absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream and soothes internal dryness. Oil microclysters are also good for this purpose, especially in the last month of pregnancy.

A pregnant woman should follow a dosha-balancing diet. Nutrition should be fractional – often, but a small amount of food, so that there is no feeling of heaviness, bloating and tension. Canned foods should be avoided. Meals should include whole wheat flour products, brown rice, moong dal, fresh fruits, high fiber vegetables, dairy products and more healthy drinks.

Boiled milk with cinnamon, butter and honey should be eaten more often. This should be done in the evening before bed or in the morning for breakfast. And don’t forget calcium and magnesium.

READ ALSO WHAT IS AYURVEDA?

During pregnancy, the change in hormones in the mother’s body affects her appearance, psychology, behavior and consciousness. It should be noted that usually the emotions of a pregnant woman manifest themselves more strongly. Therefore, sometimes they do not control their feelings, and cry at the slightest provocation. There is no need to suppress it, as this is the normal state. Thus, the body throws out toxins and gets rid of negative psychological programs. The husband and those around him must be patient. Tell her more often about how you love her, how beautiful she is and how dear she is. A pregnant woman should be treated in the same way as a crystal vessel full of precious elixir, being afraid to break and spill at least one drop, i.e. carefully. In order for her mind to be peaceful, one must try to satisfy all her desires.

However, this does not mean that all nine months are serene inactivity. If the mother only lies and sleeps, the child will be lazy. All actions and reactions of the mother strongly influence the child, and the formation of his psychotype. If the mother is naturally active, as usual before pregnancy, then it is better for the child than inactivity. But mother can not lift weights, walk fast, jump, overstrain, get nervous and tired. Work should be joyful and preferably creative. You need to decide wisely how much to rest, especially at the end of pregnancy.

If a woman did yoga before giving birth, she not only can, but simply must do it if she wants the birth to go without complications and she has a beautiful and healthy baby.

* But doing yoga should follow the recommendations for pregnant women in accordance with the trimesters. You need to follow the class schedule and carefully follow all the recommendations of the master. Then you can practice up to the 9th month. But yoga itself is a deep and complex science and it is not worth experimenting on your own, especially in such a special state, it is better to do it under the guidance of a qualified and responsible mentor.

We know how many contraindications there are during pregnancy. And this is another list of what to avoid during pregnancy, following the Vedic tradition:

• Strong drugs, tk. they harm the health of the child.
• An overabundance of vitamins, tk. the baby will be too big, the chance of a caesarean section will increase.
• Too much sleep and inactivity. The child will be stupid and lazy.
• Uncomfortable sitting, suppression of natural needs (not only urination, bowel movements, but also sneezing, yawning, etc.). This will cause vata diseases in the child.
• Difficult exercise, too much eating, too many sweets. The child will have weak kidneys.
• Too much salt. The baby’s hair will turn gray early.
• Too much spicy. The child will be weak.
• Too much sour. The child will have weak blood vessels, frequent bleeding and poorly healing wounds.
• Too much bitter. The child will be thin.
• Too much binder. The child will be constipated.
• Avoid looking into a deep well, scary movies, dramas, tragedies, horrors, inexplicable frightening phenomena, encounters with criminals, immoral, people or black magicians, jerking in a car and airplane, listening to unpleasant sounds, sleeping on the ground and in an open area or on the floor be present at the death of animals and people. Evil spirits can move in, or the child will be mentally ill, possessed.
• Sleep not on your back. The umbilical cord may be twisted and the baby will not get enough nutrition.
• Offends, scandals, screams, reprimands, beatings and physical attacks. The child may become epileptic.
• Sex. Because then the boy will be completely dependent on women, and the girl will not have shame and conscience.
• Sorrow and grief. The child will experience unreasonable fear.
• Think badly about others, criticize. The child will be unsociable, aloof, hostile to others and envious.
• Steal. The child will be lazy and angry.
• Anger. The child will be cruel, cunning, deceitful, envious and jealous.
• Alcohol. The child will be fickle, feeble-minded, and always thirsty.
• Any meat, fish, poultry and eggs – suppress and defile the body and consciousness, close the chakras in the body. According to the Vedas, carrion is not food for a civilized person (we are what we eat).
• Onions and garlic – excite and then suppress the body and mind. Close the chakras. It is advisable to limit their amount in your diet and use only as medicines.
• Cigarettes, non-herbal tea, coffee, and cocoa all contain the mild drug caffeine. The child will be prone to taking intoxications.
• Chatter, meaningless materialistic talk is like a drug, it excites and then suppresses both body and mind. Increased waste of energy, weakening both mother and child, develops a materialistic mindset in the child.
• The mother must be careful with food. Food should be clean, healthy, light and nutritious. And never go hungry. It is necessary to wear natural environmentally friendly clothes.
• Also, the mother should avoid any overload, overeating and uncomfortable postures.

In modern medicine, there are no reliable studies confirming or refuting these recommendations, but Ayurveda has centuries of experience in giving such advice to pregnant women.

It is good for the mother before delivery to use ghee with a little chili powder (red pepper). During childbirth, it is desirable that prayers, mantras, spiritual hymns, beautiful music sound, as they create a favorable atmosphere during childbirth. The lower back and abdomen are constantly massaged to relieve discomfort, and in order to reduce pain, a hot mint compress is used.

• When the baby arrives, everyone loudly expresses their joy and this helps the woman regain her strength.

• Immediately after childbirth, there is a danger of Vata imbalance in the mother due to the large opening in her body. If a mixture of ghee and chili is rubbed into her belly, it will counteract the increase in Vata.

• The first thing she needs to eat after giving birth to neutralize Vata is ghee with a little ginger. After that, she can start eating normally.

• If the milk is poorly excreted, then she should drink a lot of tea with milk, adding cumin, fennel, cinnamon.

The allocation of mother’s milk largely depends on food, pleasant emotions and peace of mind. It happens that milk disappears from frustration, stress and bad mood. Therefore, the father must vigilantly ensure that no one offends or upsets the nursing mother.

Subscribe to a Newsletter or follow my Instagram.

With love,

Marghe

28 comments