Prachi Prajna (Dec 2019)
Pre-natal Care: Diet and Mental health of a Mother
Abstract
Contemporary society is passing through a crisis related to a variety of physical and mental health issues. These issues do not end with one generation. They are being transferred from parents to children due to ignorance or lack of proper living methodologies before, during and after the pregnancy. According to Indian tradition, giving birth to a child is a virtuous duty of a household. Human life is the only one which gives us a chance to attain ultimate knowledge – this is the belief of our ancient texts. Endorsing this view, the Upanishads tell us to respect our parents as if they were gods. ‘Be the one for whom mother is divine, for whom father is divine’ [“मातृदेवो भव”, “पितृदेवो भव”] Further, to gain that ultimate knowledge one must be healthy. Hence says CarakaThe foremost root/cause of Dharma, Artha, Kama & Moksha is health. Diseases are the destroyers of that health, fortune/virtue and life. – [धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणाम् आरोग्यं मूलमुत्तमम् । रोगास्तस्यापहर्तारः श्रेयसो जीवितस्य च ।] To transfer that health to the child and make his or her life healthy, parents ought to exercise caution and care towards oneself. Ayurveda provides proper direction for such parents. This paper will focus on various aspects of pre-natal care such as cleansing of unwanted malas from the body and balancing doshas in it. It will also cover the points related to types of diets needs to be consumed during the gynecological and pediatric process. Prima facie sexual intercourse and gestation seem to be a general process to give a birth to a child, but for this process to be a success, it includes a healthy mind and well cared for body. This paper will focus in particular on the type of thoughts and the environment required during whole process.
