Nutrition and Care During Pregnancy: An Ayurvedic Perspective of Garbhiṇī Paricaryā

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is a period in which a woman needs good nutrition, adequate rest and careful support. Ayurveda describes a comprehensive antenatal regimen called Garbhiṇī Paricaryā, which covers diet, lifestyle, mental well-being and a month-wise plan (Māsānumāsika Paricaryā). Aim: This narrative review aims to describe Garbhiṇī Paricaryā and to compare it with modern concepts of antenatal care. Methods: The review draws on classical Ayurvedic texts, namely Caraka Saṃhitā, Suśruta Saṃhitā, Aṣṭāṅga Saṅgraha, Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya, Kāśyapa Saṃhitā and Hārīta Saṃhitā, together with published review articles, World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and reports on pregnancy care in India. It is a narrative review; no systematic review method was used. Results: The classical texts describe diet and lifestyle suited to each month of pregnancy. Milk, butter, ghee, cereals and other foods are recommended, and some dietary restrictions are listed. Āsthāpana and Anuvāsana Basti are described in the eighth month, and Anuvāsana Basti and Picu in the ninth month [4,5]. Diet, drugs, timing and procedures differ considerably between the texts. Several factors harmful to the fetus (Garbhopaghātakara Bhāva) are also listed. Modern antenatal care shares some ideas with the texts, such as adequate nutrition, rest, avoidance of harmful exposures and attention to mental health, but it also includes vaccination, scans, supplements, tests and screening, which the texts do not clearly describe. Conclusion: Further research is needed on the main diet and lifestyle recommendations of the classical texts, especially on the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines and procedures such as Basti and Picu. Garbhiṇī Paricaryā may be used alongside, but never in place of, modern antenatal care. Keywords: Garbhiṇī Paricaryā, Māsānumāsika Paricaryā, Garbhopaghātakara Bhāva, antenatal care, maternal nutrition