Pregnancy: the Process of Perfection
An Ayurvedic perspective on the growth of new life
Some women pass through pregnancy with lustrous skin and shining eyes. While others battle morning sickness, swollen ankles and over whelming fatigue. For some pregnancy can feel like a huge strain on the physiology while others enjoy the unfolding process of the growth of their child. Whatever your experience during pregnancy you can be sure that your body is doing its best to grow a healthy child.
Modern medicine insists on regular check ups during pregnancy. However problems can only be detected once they are already well established. There is little advice on diet and daily routine to ensure a healthy pregnancy. While modern medicine tends to view pregnancy as condition that is to be navigated around certain problems, Ayurveda treats it as a celebration of the unfolding development of the soul.
If a mother-to-be begins pregnancy in poor health the following 9 months may be uncomfortable for her. However nature ensures that her body is prepared to be in the best possible state for growing a child. A woman’s physiology is designed to grow a baby from a single cell and provide all the nourishment needed until the infant is at least 6 months of age. All the so-called ‘symptoms’ of pregnancy are in fact necessary aspects of this process.
Morning sickness may appear to strike randomly however there is a reason and purpose for it. During pregnancy the body is creating the optimal environment in which to grow a living soul. If the physiology contains toxins and impurities they are eliminated and this is what is experienced as morning sickness. To avoid or reduce morning sickness, purification must begin before conception. Eliminating alcohol, caffeine and junk food and favouring fresh food is a good way to prepare yourself. Drinking warm water is also helpful to clean the physiology of impurities.
Nausea around certain smells and tastes in pregnancy is the body’s way of avoiding food of little nutritional value or food that is unnecessary for the growing child. During pregnancy the body goes into a state of hightened sensitivity and attempts to reduce any unhealthy substances. Many women find that they dislike the tastes of their previously favourite foods or give up alcohol and smoking because they no longer enjoy the effect.
Increased awareness is not merely confined to tastes in food. Women can become more sensitive to everything in their environment. While women may lament their decline in resilience, this sensitivity can be used as a guide for what is nourishing for your growing baby. One mother-to be was forced to leave a concert of her favourite rock band as her baby began kicking so intensely inside.
Just as your thoughts and feelings affect your own physiology, everything that you think, hear, see, feel and do will affect your growing child. This is not to say that if you have temporary experiences of fear or sadness that your unborn baby will suffer. However if you are feeling love towards your child and eagerly awaiting the birth, your child will thrive mentally and physically on those feelings. A woman may feel more delicate emotionally and physically during pregnancy and it is important for her to be in nurturing, caring environment.
Food cravings are subtle signals from the body’s cells telling what is needed. During pregnancy desires for certain food is coming from what the baby needs at that particular time. By denying yourself you may actually deprive the baby of specific nutrients necessary for a particular stage of growth. However this does not mean that if you have a craving for sweet food you should devour tubs of ice cream or boxes of chocolate. Instead favour fresher, healthier food such as apple crumble or rice pudding so you satisfy the desire but don’t over load the digestive system.
Eating a diet containing a variety of tastes and textures is a good way to ensure nourishment and satisfaction for both you and your growing child. A diet of warm, nourishing, well cooked, wholesome food is best during pregnancy. Milk, ghee, rice, dates, almonds and raisins are especially suitable for a pregnant woman. Spicy curries and heavy food such as pizzas, chocolate and cheese are best avoided.
Taking care of digestion is also important during the nine months and can become more challenging as the digestive system is squashed to accommodate the growing child. Eating lighter, soupier food and eating your main meal at lunchtime and less at night will allow you to feel comfortable after meals right up until the baby is due.
Desperately trying to consume the amounts of protein etc that are advised by nutrionalists during pregnancy can result in feeling heavy and bloated. While it is important to get adequate nutrition, overloading the system results in the accumulation of toxins and impurities. By following the Ayurvedic principles such as sitting to eat, not eating too fast, avoiding excessive amounts of liquid especially cold drinks and eating in a settled environment, maximum nutrition is derived from the food.
While fatigue is a common experience in pregnancy it should not just be ignored or pushed through. A lot is taking place in your physiology in the creation of a new life and extra rest is needed to cater for this. Exercise should be regular but without strain. Walking and swimming are ideal and are best done in the morning. Yoga is also beneficial and a good preparation for giving birth.
It is important to remember the uniqueness of this situation and to adapt accordingly. Trying to maintain the same level of activity and habitually eating food without recourse to cravings and desires is not conducive to the health of the mother or child.
According to the ancient Ayurvedic physician Charaka a baby is comprised of four parts: one from the mother, one from the father, one from the mother’s intake during pregnancy (food, emotions, perceptions, environment) and one from nature or consciousness. The health of the parents is of great importance both mentally and physically. Meditation is of great benefit to the expectant parents and can help to overcome feelings of fatigue.
In the Vedic tradition, as each sense develops a baby shower is given to honor it. In the third month of pregnancy the sense of sight is celebrated by beautiful things to look at. The forth month honors the sense of taste with delicious food. The sense of hearing is celebrated in the fifth month with melodious and soothing music. The shower celebrating the developing sense of smell includes delightful aromas while at the final shower clothing and gold are given to honor the sense of touch.
By adopting the Ayurvedic principles during pregnancy you can really enjoy the growth of the new life within and be best prepared for your new life as a parent.
The author, Wendy Rosenfeldt BA DipHealth(MAVHEC), is a Maharishi Vedic Health educator. She is based in Melbourne but travels regularly to the Gold Coast. For further information on seminars, consultations or any aspect of Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health call 03 9846 5294 or 0438 507 188.