Can Ayurveda be practiced during pregnancy?

Pregnancy is one of the most important and filled with happiness periods of the life of every woman. But this very important moment can be quite difficult and challenging. Each cell of the future mother’s body changes during the pregnancy. As the mother’s body goes through many changes to provide an optimal environment for the nascent life in her, certain discomforts may occur during the pregnancy. But they can easily be overcome with the help of tested natural healing methods.

The ancient Indian Medicine Ayurveda provides effective and environmentally friendly methods to deal with the common conditions of discomfort during pregnancy. Ayurveda medicine provides support for the physical, mental and even spiritual condition of the mother and the baby. If you are planning to have a child or you are about to, then this article will provide you with some useful advices.

How Ayurveda helps pregnant women?

Ayurveda offers a healthy basis for a trouble-free pregnancy. Ayurveda medicine gives one effective solution to all problems related to the pregnancy period that is in harmony with the natural laws of nature.

The Ayurvedic program during pregnancy includes special Ayurvedic nutrition, practicing healthy daily habits, as well yoga asanas, meditation, breathing techniques, therapy with Indian herbs.

The Ayurvedic methods of healing are based on the natural cycles of nature and they include only natural ingredients. The healing therpies of Ayurveda can be applied individually or in addition to the traditional medical care that is provided by doctors during the pregnancy period.

Here are 4 reasons why Ayurveda should be practiced during pregnancy:

Prevents complications in pregnancy

Complications during pregnancy are possible even if the organism of the future mother is totally healthy.  With the help of Ayurvedic therapies and massages, the risk of complications is significantly reduced.

Reduces stress and anxiety

The Ayurvedic therapies have proven to relieve stress associated with the forthcoming birth, as they prepare us psychologically for what is about to happen. The yoga exercising, meditation, techniques for deep and correct breathing – all this calms the nervous system and makes us more balanced and focused.

Ayurveda advises that if we want to improve our digestion during the pregnancy, it is better to replace cold drinks and food with hotter ones. Thus the body does not need to work so hard to decompose the food eaten, as the process of digestion is facilitated.

Prepares the body for the pregnancy and for the period after it

The Ayurvedic procedures practiced during pregnancy help the easy passage of the baby through the birth canal during delivery. This is due to the fact that they make the tissues softer and balance the energies of the entire body, required for the trouble-free delivery.

Better digestion

In Ayurveda, good digestion is a main goal. When our digestion system is not working properly, this will affect the process of growth and development of our baby in the womb, as well the way of the delivery.  

Our digestive fire “Agni” is one of the main engines of our body. By the proper digestion of food our body gets energized and each organ, tissue and molecule of our body is supplied with all required important nutrients. The Ayurvedic nutrition is based on easily digestible foods that give us energy without the sensation of heaviness.

Top 8 Ayurveda tips to perform during pregnancy

Do not suppress your desire for food

it is recommended for every future mother to follow her natural appetite during the pregnancy. It is desirable to have one balanced diet regime, containing the required amount of protein, rich in vitamins vegatables and fruits, as well sources of slowly degradable carbohydrates and starch, such as potatoes.

Remember that your diet needs to meet the needs of two blood groups during pregnancy, so you don‘t have to follow a diet regime for specific blood group. Eat foods that you desire to eat in moderate quantities, especially after the fourth month because then it is more likely that the desire for these foods belongs to the baby.

Balance your Vata constitution

It is especially very important this advice to be respected during the pregnancy period.  The Vata energy is the energy of the nervous system. The desired balance in Vata can be achieved with the help of a diet regime, rich in completely natural foods such as fresh vegetables, whole grain foods, sprouts.

The consumption of freshly prepared meals with healthy oils is recomended, especially olive oil, ghee and coconut oil. The most important thing is to choose the freshly prepared meals and to avoid the foods that are prepared the day before.

Eat the right foods

Avoid the extremely spicy foods, raw green leafy vegetables that haven’t undergone thermal processing, not well cooked legumes such as beans and lentils because they cause gas formation, as well avoid preservatives, artificial flavors and other supplements that are not that good for your organism.  

Add these 3 flavors to your dishes

The three flavors that have balancing effect on Vata are sweet, sourly and salty. During the pregnancy it is recommended to eat more sweet, because it is considered that it brings more sattvic force to the baby. Some of the foods falling into the group of sweet flavors are wholegrain bread with sprouts, cereals, rice, fruits, as well foods containing starch such as sweet potatoes, quinoa, red beets, carrots, etc.

Drink the right type of milk

During the pregnancy period Ayurveda recommends drinking of hot milk that is pasteurized at a temperature of 50 degrees Celsius, as well non-homogenized milk with natural butter ghee, derived from cows which are bred freely. One cup of hot milk with a tea spoon of ghee oil, twice a day, is considered to increase the immune system, as well the condition of the skin of the mother and the immunity of the fetus.

Drinking milk also is good for the so called “ojas” vital energy of the baby. In Ayurveda it is believed that the youth of every person is based on the energy “ojas”.

Prana, tejas and ojas are three vital energies in Ayurveda. When the energy “ojas” is strong, then the person is healthy and productive, but when this energy is weak, the opposite happens – the person feels exhausted and his organism is more likely to develop chronic diseases.

Enjoy a daily massage with Ayurvedic herbal oil

The Indian herbal oils help nourishing the microbiological environment of the skin, as well they have calming effect on the sensitive nerve endings located on it. The more relaxed the mother, the calmer the baby will be.

The use of herbal oils can be under the form of self-massage or a massage performed by a professional Ayurvedic therapist. During the 8ht and 9th month of the pregnancy are recommended light massage movements in the abdomen area.

Make time for movement

Another effective way to balance your Vata constitution during pregnancy is to make a 30 -minute walk on a daily basis, while making slow and deep nasal breathing.

Time for rest

During the 8th month of pregnancy it is recommended to rest more. According to Ayurveda in this period the sensitive vital essence “ojas”, that supports our vitality, immune system and external condition of our skin, is transferred from the mother to the baby. Rest is required in order to keep the balance of this energy.

Finally, one of the most important rules to follow during the pregnancy is to remember to be happy and to share this joy with our loved ones.

Here are 4 tips to easily overcome morning sickness and fatigue that are common for the pregnancy period

1. Bake cardamon seeds, grind them to powder and eat a small portion of this powder during the day.
2. Eat dry crackers or toasted bread.  Having small quantities of food in the stomach helps to overcome easily the unpleasant feeling.
3. Make a tea of ¼ tea spoon ginger powder, dill seeds and hot water. The ginger is one of the most powerful remedies for nausea and stomach problems.
4. Try to sleep in a reclining position by putting a pillow between the springs of the bed and the mattress.