A happy and healthy pregnancy is possible with Ayurveda. During pregnancy your vata, pitta and kapha are imbalanced and ayurvedic pregnancy care focuses and managing and restoring balance. How? The harmony of the doshas can be brought through nutrition, lifestyle, massage, and many more. This helps reduce stress and have a peaceful and healthy pregnancy. This blog will provide you with an overview of how Ayurveda can be included in your pregnancy journey the natural way? Let’s start with the basics.  

Common Pregnancy Care Tips  

• A balanced diet that includes whole grains, beans, fresh fruits and vegetables is important  

• Stay hydrated, add a squeeze of lemon for nourishment.  

• Favour your cravings but be mindful of what you eat. 

• Light physical activity like walking or gentle yoga enhances circulation. 

• Get ayurvedic oil massages that relax the mind and body.  

• Meditation helps in reducing stress  

• Add spices like cumin, turmeric and ginger to your food as it has nourishing properties.  

• Listen to your body, rest as much as possible in the later months.  

Things To Avoid During Pregnancy 

• Smoking or any form of tobacco  

• Consuming alcohol and carbonated drinks  

• Lifting heavy objects  

• Heavy physical activity  

• Not addressing your cravings  

• Eating food made with hydrogenated fat 

Ayurvedic Therapies Recommended During Pregnancy  

These therapies are specially designed to support both the mother and the baby.  

Abhyanga: Oil massages done with coconut oil can help relax muscles and relieve stress. This can be done from the 7th month.  

Pichu: This is done by placing oil-soaked cotton pads in the external vaginal orifice and lower abdomen.  This loosens the vaginal and abdominal muscles making labor easy. This should be done in the 9th month.  

Sana (Herbal bath): This therapy can be done after the 7th month where the water is boiled with leaves of vilwa, neem, eranda leaves, sandal and vetiver and is cooled down for bath. 

Matra Vasti (Enema): Should be done only after 8th months which helps in curing constipation and helps in easing labor.  

Yoga: Yoga asana like,  

• Cat-cow 

• Bridge  

• Seated twists  

Are considered safe and help in improving flexibility and strength. Meditation and breathing exercises calm our mind and help relax.  

Ayurvedic Medicines, Herbs And Foods To Be Avoided During Pregnancy  

Raw papaya: Why? Raw papaya contains an enzyme called papain which might induce contractions leading to an abortion.  

Aloe vera: Yes, it is the best source of antioxidants, but like papaya, it contains aloin which has the potential to induce labor.  

Fennel and fenugreek: These are okay to use in minimal amount as spices, but a lot of studies say that they increase the risk of congenital abnormalities. 

High mercury fish: Tuna, sharks, swordfish and mackerel are fishes which have high levels of mercury which can interfere and affect fetal brain development. 

Street food: These are unhygienic and can cause a lot of infections if consumed.  

Undercooked or Raw eggs: The bacteria found in raw eggs can pose a danger during pregnancy.  

Alcohol: Even limited intake causes congenital disabilities  

Caffeine: Too much coffee can lead to premature birth or low birth weight. 

Ayurvedic Remedies For Common Pregnancy Symptoms 

Nausea: One effective way to settle the stomach and reduce nausea is to drink a mixture of ginger, lemon juice and a pinch of black salt. 

Anorexia: Loss of appetite is a common symptom which can be overcome by adding spices like cumin, ginger and fennels in your meals or sipping herbal teas like mint, chamomile or lemon balm can also help.  

Vomiting: Consume smaller meals throughout the day to manage or minimize this symptom.  

Headache: Dehydration is the main reason behind the development of this symptom, stay hydrated. Deep breathing exercise and a good sleep routine helps us avoid headaches during pregnancy. 

Dry mouth: Stay hydrated and oil pulling with sesame oil is considered as the best remedy for this symptom.  

Back pain: Ayurvedic massages or applying herbal oils in the area of pain helps in relaxing the muscles which provides relief from the symptom.  

Leg cramps: Intake of foods rich in calcium and oil massage with sahacharadi tailam helps in managing and preventing this symptom.  

Diarrhea: Consuming cooked rice with a pinch of ginger powder and yogurt can help in resolving this issue. 

Constipation: Herbal tea like dandelion root and Tripala root work as gentle laxatives which help in softening stools and ease bowel movements.  

Edema: Swelling during pregnancy can be managed by elevating your legs while sitting to increase circulation. Take short walks and avoid standing or sitting for a long duration. Compression stockings might also help!  

With this basic overview you might get an idea of the dos and don’ts of pregnancy that will help you through your pregnancy journey the ayurvedic way. Consult with your doctor before intake of medication or any doubts and clarifications regarding pregnancy. This will give you a clear idea and help in avoiding complications.