Garbh Sanskar- Ayurvedic Practice for Healthy Pregnancy

Pregnancy is the rediscovery of your inner strength– your calmness, energy, and most importantly your patience. Ayurveda has well expounded the journey of a child from the mother’s womb to the outer world as Garbha Sanskar. The word ‘garbh’ means fetus and ‘sanskar’ means educating the mind in the Sanskrit language.

It is traditionally presumed that a child’s behavioural and mental development starts in the womb as it can be determined by the mother’s emotional state while she carries the baby.

There is some potential scientific evidence that espouses the practices of Garbh Sanskar and its effect on the unborn baby. Modern studies have manifested that a fetus can respond to external stimuli. It is believed that the hormonal secretions generated by the mother’s thoughts can impact the baby in her womb. The practice of Garbha Sanskar makes sure that the mother remains in a positive state of mind and is healthy.

There are several modern prenatal practices. Let’s have a look at some of them:

• Colour therapy: This therapy uses colour and light to balance your mind. Did you know? Certain colours can have a positive response in the mind and help in uplifting the mood.
• Aromatherapy: This therapy uses the sense of smell that soothes the mind and body and sharpens the senses. Essential oils and other aromatics can be used to help the mother hassle.

Guidelines of Garbha Sanskar
Physical and mental maintenance of the mother is of prime importance to give birth to a healthy, safe and sound child.

Healthy eating habits
Diet is one of the most important factors for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy child. According to Ayurveda, the mother should follow a balanced diet including all the necessary nutrients and vitamins in a balanced state like folic acid, calcium, and iron. The mother should regularly consume satvik food, meaning nutrient-rich food including all 5 tastes, namely sweet, sour, salty, pungent, and bitter.

Practising light exercises with pranayama and meditation.
The mother needs to be healthy and stress-free for a healthy child. Practising lightweight exercises will not only help the physical maintenance of the body but also for a sound mental state and stress-free pregnancy. Combining some pranayama and meditation along with lightweight exercises will enhance the calm effect and help the mother be stress-free while simultaneously maintaining good physical health, all necessary for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy child. Controlled breathing, pranayam, accompanied by some prayers or music will also enhance the effect, ultimately increasing the odds of a stress-free pregnancy and safe and sound childbirth.

Over to you:
Pregnancy is an important stage in any woman’s life and it is important to maintain your physical and mental health during the pregnancy. Garbh meaning pregnancy and Sanskar meaning educating the mind means taking care of yourself and the foetus for a healthy delivery. There are several therapies you can try to progress with a healthy pregnancy, it is also important to maintain a balanced diet and practice some light exercises accompanied by some pranayama and meditation for a stress-free pregnancy, maintain both the physical and mental state of the mother, eventually leading to a healthy safe and sound child.