Do you believe in Ayurveda? Here are some important Ayurvedic suggestions for a pregnant woman. 

Ayurveda is an ancient medical science that was originated in India more than 4500 years ago. It is also known as “Mother of all healing” because it places an enormous emphasis on prevention, balance, and maintenance. Pregnancy is a beautiful journey and to enjoy it to the fullest one can read Ayurveda textbooks such as Charak Samhita and Garbhini Vyakarana. If you are expecting then you can practice these Ayurvedic principles to take care of your body, mind, unborn child and can recover faster from postpartum. Here are some unique ways of Ayurveda practices that can make your journey of pregnancy hassle-free:

1. Balance your Vata Dosha- Ayurveda says that a pregnant woman should eat wisely and healthy. To balance their Vata Dosha one must consume a plant-based fresh diet that comprises fresh fruits, seasonal vegetables, sprouted grains, dairy products and must strictly avoid aerated drinks and processed foods. A pregnant woman should always consume freshly cooked warm food and avoid eating leftovers.

2. Helps avoid pregnancy complications- Even if a woman is hale and hearty sometimes pregnancy brings along some ailments like morning sickness (Hyperemesis Gravidarum), hypertension, gestational diabetes, and cholestasis (a liver disorder that triggers itchiness). The body of a pregnant woman undergoes massive changes due to hormonal imbalance so one must regularly visit a doctor for checkups and keep an eye on the changes in stool, discharge, and urine.

3. Eating for two- During pregnancy you might crave a lot of food items but you must not forget that you have to consume a nutritionally balanced diet. A lot of proteins, fresh vegetables, healthy starch will keep the body fit and active during pregnancy. You must avoid eating a single person’s diet and strictly avoid undercooked food, hot and spicy food, uncooked leafy vegetables, and foods with artificial flavors or preservatives. For easy digestion, you must replace all the cold drinks and foods with warm ones.

4. Abhyanga- You must begin your day with a full-body self-massage by applying warm sesame oil. You must apply oil with an open palm and move in a circular direction on your joints and long strokes on the bones. You must gently massage the abdomen and massaging of nipples should be done only after you have completed your 4 months of pregnancy. Take a warm water bath after abhyanga as it helps in opening the channels of circulation.

5. Reduces stress- Stress is quite common during pregnancy so according to Ayurveda, one must nourish their senses by spending some time in nature like smelling fresh flowers, listening to soft music, and relax all the nerves by meditating. To reduce stress during pregnancy one must practice yoga, meditation, go on walks and practice breathing exercises. You don’t have to take stress about your pregnancy, labor, or postpartum. A pregnant woman should protect her mind from anger, grief, sorrow, fear, and doubt as that will negatively impact the growing baby.

6. Ayurveda helps in preparing the body for birth and postpartum- You'll be surprised to know that how prenatal exercises, a balanced diet, and massages will help you during the time of delivery. A healthy diet, relaxed mind, and yoga helps a lot by making your pregnancy a beautiful journey. When the postpartum phase begins there is a sudden drop of a hormone called Corticotrophin and it brings some imbalances in the body like- reduced milk supply, anxiety, digestive complaints, and depression. If you are nurturing your body by taking a healthy diet and ample sleep then it will help your baby grow healthier and you’ll recover fast from the entire process.

7. Practice Garbha Sanskar- It means one must start educating the mind of a growing baby because Garbha in Sanskrit means mother’s womb and Sanskar means educating the mind. According to Ayurveda experts, the mental and behavioral development of the fetus begins to take shape from the day when the mother conceived. The pregnant woman should regularly practice yoga, sit in meditation for a while, read spiritual books and spend some time in nature by concentrating on the breathing exercises.