Month-wise Antenatal Care (Garbhini Paricharya)

 Introduction

In Ayurveda, Garbhini Paricharya refers to systematic antenatal care described for the health of the mother and fetus. It emphasizes month-wise dietary regimen, medicinal support, and lifestyle guidance. This holistic approach ensures nourishment, mental well-being, and smooth delivery. Modern science supports these practices with evidence of nutritional, hormonal, and psychological benefits.

1st Month

Diet

Madhura (sweet), Drava (liquid) and Sheeta (cold)diet consumption

Light, easily digestible liquid diet. Milk with small amounts of ghee. Avoid spicy, heavy food.

Ayurvedic Medicines

Siddha milk (Ksheerapaka), Phalaghrita in small doses.

Yogasanas

Gentle breathing (Anulom Vilom), relaxation. Avoid strenuous postures.

2nd Month

Diet

Milk with medicated herbs (Shatavari, Yashtimadhu). Sweet, unctuous, cooling foods (madhura, sheeta, drava).

Ayurvedic Medicines

Shatavari kalpa, Yashtimadhu with milk.

Yogasanas

Mild stretching, Vajrasana, gentle pranayama.

3rd Month

Diet

Milk with honey and ghee. Rice with milk. Fruits like pomegranate, dates.

Ayurvedic Medicines

Phalaghrita, Draksharishta (if digestion permits).

Yogasanas

Baddha Konasana (bound angle pose), simple meditation.

4th Month

Diet

Solid + liquid diet. Rice, milk, butter. Nourishing soups. Navanita (fresh butter) in the quantity of one aksha (10g) (11) Cooked sasti rice with curd, Pleasant food mixed with milk & butter or mixed with meat soup (jangala mamsa rasa) must be given.

Ayurvedic Medicines

Ghrita preparations like Phalaghrita.

Yogasanas

Cat-cow stretch (Marjariasana), gentle side stretches.

5th Month

Diet

Milk with ghee, rice, butter. Light nourishing food with more liquids.

Ayurvedic Medicines

Milk processed with herbs (e.g., Shatavari).

Yogasanas

Simple seated postures, supported Vajrasana.

6th Month

Diet

Grains, rice with milk, ghee. Green leafy vegetables.

Ayurvedic Medicines

Gokshuradi preparations (for urinary system support).

Yogasanas

Supported Baddha Konasana, meditation, pranayama.

7th Month

Diet

Light but strengthening food: milk, ghee, butter, rice, fruits.

Ayurvedic Medicines

Snehapana (unctuous substances like ghee in small doses).

Yogasanas

Pelvic opening asanas (Malasana support), breathing exercises.

8th Month

Diet

Yusha (light soups), milk with ghee, rice gruel with medicated ghrita.

Ayurvedic Medicines

Asthapana and Anuvasana Basti (under supervision).

Yogasanas

Gentle walking, supported squats, relaxation practices.

9th Month

Diet

Light, easily digestible gruels, ghee, milk, herbal decoctions.

Ayurvedic Medicines

Snehana and Swedana, Yoni Pichu (medicated oil tampon, under vaidya supervision).

Yogasanas

Deep relaxation, meditation, walking. Avoid major postures.

Trimester Summary

• First Trimester (1-3 months): Focus on stabilizing pregnancy, avoiding exertion. Light, nourishing, and sweet foods. Gentle breathing exercises.
• Second Trimester (4-6 months): Emphasis on nourishment and fetal growth. More unctuous food, milk, ghee, strengthening yoga postures.
• Third Trimester (7-9 months): Focus on preparing the body for delivery. Unctuous food, basti therapies (under vaidya supervision), pelvic opening yoga postures.

General Precautions

• Avoid heavy, spicy, and very hot foods.
• Avoid excessive physical exertion, stress, and late-night waking.
• Practice meditation, positivity, and calm environment.
• Follow guidance of physician/vaidya especially for medicines and Panchakarma.
• Modern view: Ensure adequate protein, calcium, iron, and hydration. Yoga should always be done under professional guidance to avoid strain.

Additional Classical References (Charaka, Kashyapa, Ashtanga Hridaya)

Ayurvedic Samhitas provide month-wise and trimester-wise recommendations for pregnant women:

• Charaka Samhita: Emphasizes Ksheerapaka (herbal milk preparations) with Madhura dravyas such as Shatavari, Yashtimadhu. Recommends Phalaghrita from early months, Yavagu (rice gruel) in later months, and unctuous food throughout.

• Kashyapa Samhita: Strongly advocates Phalaghrita for fetal growth, Ikshurasa (sugarcane juice), Draksha rasa (raisin decoction), and milk with herbs during 1st and 2nd trimester. In the last trimester, recommends basti (Anuvasana, Asthapana) and Yoni Pichu.

• Ashtanga Hridaya: Suggests month-wise ghrita use, Snehana (internal oleation), Swedana (sudation), and Yoni Pichu during 9th month to aid in easy and smooth delivery.

• Sushruta: Mentions ghritas and milk processed with strengthening herbs, avoidance of vata-provoking diet and activities.

Expanded Yogasana Guidelines (Trimester-wise)

• First Trimester (1-3 months): Focus on stability and relaxation. Vajrasana, Sukhasana, gentle Baddha Konasana, and mild breathing (Anulom-Vilom, Nadi Shodhana). Avoid strenuous movements and abdominal compression.

• Second Trimester (4-6 months): Emphasis on strength and nourishment. Recommended are Cat-Cow stretch (Marjariasana), Supported Baddha Konasana, Ardha Titli Asana (half butterfly), gentle side stretches, and supported forward bends. These open pelvic region and improve digestion.

• Third Trimester (7-9 months): Preparing for labor. Gentle supported squats (Malasana), pelvic tilts, Supta Baddha Konasana (reclining bound angle pose), relaxation in left lateral position, guided meditation and pranayama. Avoid inversions, deep twists, lying flat on the back for prolonged periods.

• General: Yoga should always be guided by an expert, especially during pregnancy. Modern science agrees that yoga improves flexibility, calms the mind, enhances blood circulation, and prepares pelvic muscles for delivery.

Regional Diet Recommendations (Telugu States)

To complement the classical Ayurvedic diet guidelines, the following foods commonly available in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana can be included according to trimester needs. These are selected based on their Ayurvedic properties, nutritional value, and easy local availability.

First Trimester (1-3 months)

• Light, easily digestible food is best. Ganji (rice gruel) with ghee is highly recommended.
• Pesara pappu dal (green gram dal) with rice.
• Fruits like banana (arati), pomegranate (danima), grapes, and sweet sapota (chikku).
• Milk with small amounts of ghee.
• Avoid very spicy curries, excess tamarind, and heavy fried food.

Second Trimester (4-6 months)

• Ragi java (ragi malt) prepared with milk and jaggery for strength and calcium.
• Ghee rice (neyyi annam), Navara rice, or soft idlis/dosas.
• Seasonal vegetables: sorakaya (bottle gourd), beerakaya (ridge gourd), palakura (spinach), thotakura (amaranth leaves).
• Fruits: mango (ripe), guava, banana, grapes, dates.
• Fresh coconut (kobbari) used in chutneys and curries.
• Milk, butter (navaneetam), and curd (in daytime).

Third Trimester (7-9 months)

• Ganji (rice gruel) with ghee or milk, very nourishing and light.
• Rice with soft dal (pesara pappu, kandipappu) and ghee.
• Kobbari-based curries and chutneys for strength and lubrication.
• Jaggery (bellam) based preparations in moderation for iron support.
• Soft idlis, dosas with mild chutneys.
• Warm milk with ghee at night to aid sleep and preparation for delivery.
• Avoid gas-forming foods like excess black gram (minappappu) or spicy pickles.

Concept by

Dr.Fawaz Sunkesula

2nd Year PG Scholar

Department of Prasuti & Stree Roga

Dr. BRKR Government Ayurvedic College, Hyderabad