Prevention is always better than cure. We find that, more often pregnancy is either unplanned or accidental. Recently, importance of pre – conceptional counselling is highlighted by modern science. Generally prescribing folic acid tablets & performing investigations to rule out abnormalities are the only steps done as pre conceptional care. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science has got much more than these things during pre natal period. Actually speaking pre conceptional measures are very important to prevent most of the problems during pregnancy & in fetus.
These are the measures to be taken before conception by both the partners.
- Ahara shuddhi (Special / specific diet plan)
- Vihara shuddhi (Special / specific routine plan)
- Deha / Shareera shuddhi (Body detoxification / purification)
- Nadi shuddhi (Internal channel cleansing)
- Paryavarana shuddhi (Environment cleansing)
1) Ahara shuddhi (Special diet plan)
During pre-conceptional period, both male and female partners should follow some specific diet pattern which helps them for the best quality of Shukra (Sperm) and Artava (Ovum) respectively.
Male – Proper usage of food items like Milk, Butter, Ghee, Rice, Wheat or some of the sweet items prepared out of these will lead to good quality of Sperm (in a healthy person).
Female – Proper usage of sesame (tila), oils (like sesame, ground nut etc), black gram etc cause good quality of Ovum (in a healthy lady).
Also one has to be cautious about general rules of diet like raw materials used for food preparation, consumption method, food quantity, usage of water etc.
Another important factor is one should be very cautious about VIRUDDHAAHAARA (incompatible food) which is very common now a days, which leads to various problems in the Dhatu (tissues) level which in-turn leads to qualitatively poor Shukra (Sperm) or Artava (Ovum).
2) Vihara shuddhi (Special routine plan)
After explaining about food, Ayurveda Acharyas have given importance to activities / Vihara.
Vihara includes routine plan. Ayurveda explains in detail the DINACHARYA (daily routine) one has to follow to maintain health. It starts with the time we need to get up & covers even aspects of sleep.
Ayurveda emphasizes 3 main factors responsible for health maintenance called as 3 pillars of life – TRAYOPASTAMBHAS,
- Aahara – Food
- Nidra – Sleep &
- Brahmacharya – Regulated sexual conduct.
Especially when the couples are planning for conception, special attention has to be given to these 3 aspects. Because – Food is important for physical constitution; sleep is needed for sensory, motor functions & soothing mind and Brahmacharya or moderate / controlled sex is responsible for both physical & spiritual well being.
- Daily when to sleep?
- Duration of sleep?
- Where to sleep?
- At what time one has to wake up? etc.
- Suitable age for indulging in sex
- With whom & whom not to indulge in sex
- Time of sexual contact w.r.t day & night
- Frequency during different seasons
- Where & where not to do / Places where one may indulge in sex
- Regimens to be followed before and after sexual act etc.
All the 3 Samhitas (Charaka, Sushruta, Vagbhta / Ashtanga Hrudaya) have elaborated these things in detail. For more knowledge, one can go through the text – “KAMASUTRA” by Vatsayana.
Methods, indications, contra – indications, benefits etc. of the above aspects when properly followed & problems when improperly done are dealt in detail in Ayurveda classics.
3) Deha / Shareera shuddhi – Panchakarma ( Cellular purification)
In general, shareera shuddhi refers to detoxification of the body or cleansing the body from impurities.
Ayurveda is the only medical science which has got unique ways for body cleansing called – “PANCHAKARMA”.
Benefits of Panchakarma
- Removes cellular waste and toxic byproducts
- Protects cell structure from toxin-induced damage
- Repairs cell structures
(Article – About role & importance of Panchakarma in Garbha Samskara)
4) Nadi shuddhi (Pranayama & Yoga) – internal cleansing
Nadi shuddhi can be attained with proper practice of Yoga & Pranayama.
(Article about role & importance of Nadi shuddhi in Garbha Samskara will be published soon.)
5) Paryavarana shuddhi (Dhoopa, Agnihotra)
It can be done with measures like special Dhoopa (fumigation), Agnihotra etc.
Agnihotra is a special type of Homa therapy through which the environment can be purified & filled with positive energy. It is performed by chanting specific mantras using copper vessel, cow dung cakes, rice & ghee at specific timings of sunrise & sunset. Regular practice of Agnihotra makes the mind free from anxiety, stress & brings about positive thoughts. It is very beneficial during pregnancy too.
Note : Most of these explanations are inspired by the session done by Dr.Karishma Narvani, the director of Garbha Samskara Kendra, Jamnagar, expert in Ayurvedic Garbha Samkara, Ayurvedic infertility treatment & Ayurvedic antenatal care.
She is chief physician at Prabhaben Arogya Kendra, Jamnagar. She is director of CRUPA- Clinical Research Unit of Panchagavya Ayurveda. She is honorary physician & consultant for Samarth Bharat – Project of Vidyabharathi at Surat & Gandhidham. She is also consultant in Rashtra Sevika Medical Centre at Ahmedabad. She is working as honorary faculty in Gujarat Ayurveda University Training Center for Infertility & Gynecology.
Special thanks to her & her whole team.
(Author : Dr. Shilpa S. N, Senior Consultant, Sriranga Ayurveda Chikitsa Mandira, Healthcare unit of Prakruthi Ayurveda Prathistana ®, Mysore – 23)