Author(s): Dr. Minakshi Kothari, Dr. Girish Pathak
Abstract:
Pregnancy is a physiological condition in which would be mother changes both from inside as well as outside. Yoga in pregnancy can help the women to balance through these physical, mental and emotional challenges. Embracing yoga during pregnancy provides multi dimensional benefits to mother and baby. Yoga calms the mind, revitalizes the energy and prepares the woman physically and mentally for delivery. Various respiratory exercises (Pranayama) and physical postures (Asanas), performed by a pregnant woman under expert supervision, can help in harmonized relaxation and contraction of uterus, increase the strength, flexibility and endurance of muscles needed for childbirth They devour low energy and afford greater benefits. Also Yoga-sasanas can minimizes the complication of pregnancy, like pregnancy induced hypertension, intrauterine growth retardation and pre-term delivery. Yoga calms the mind, re-energies and prepares the mother physiologically, mentally and emotionally and for labour. Yoga is also helpful in improving sleep pattern, reduces lower back pain, nausea, headaches and shortness of breath. Simple stretching exercises encourage circulation, help fluid retention, and relieve stress. Yogic exercises can help pregnant women recover faster post-delivery. Different type of postures, mentioned in Ayurvedic and Yogic texts that can be comfortably performed in pregnancy. They consume lower energy and give better benefits. Yoga is useful for a variety of immunological, behavioral and psychosomatic conditions. Various research studies regarding the utility of yoga interventions for pregnancy shows that it is helpful in improving pregnancy and birth outcomes. Numerous clinical studies shows that yoga may produce improvements in stress levels, quality of life, aspects of interpersonal relating, autonomic nervous system functioning, and labour parameters such as comfort, pain, and duration. A healthy pregnancy is necessary to ensure the baby’s well being after birth too. As per Vedic science the mother is the creator of child’s future. This can be accomplished by adapting a Satvik diet during prenatal period. This approach helps her to builds a healthy future for her child. Yogis and ancient sages of India believed that Satvik food which means clean, pure and ethically energetic will maintain the equilibrium of a healthy mind and body. The origin of this diet has its roots in Indian ancient books like Upanishads, Bhagavatgida etc. The Ayurvedic texts also have insights regarding the diet for prenatal period which would help the woman to have healthy baby and safe post natal health. As per the ancient texts during the prenatal period the food should be simple, juicy and tasty. Foods which are stale, sour, bitter, fried salted and non-vegetarian origin those foods which have addiction should be avoided.
PDF URL: View Article in PDF