Ninth Month Garbhini Paricharya: Key for Safe Delivery
Journal name: Ayushdhara
Original article title: Role of Ninth Month Garbhini Paricharya as Partus Preparatory for easy and safe Delivery: A Critical Review
AYUSHDHARA is an international peer-reviewed journal. It focuses on research in Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, Allopathy, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
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Thakur Jyotsna
Assistant Professor, P.G. Dept. of Prasuti Tantra Evum Stree Roga, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Masand Sameet
Reader, P.G. Dept of Ras shahstra and Bhaishjya Kalpana, V.Y.D.S. Ayurveda Mahavidyalya, Khurja, U.P, India.
Ayushdhara:
(A peer-reviewed, bi-monthly open-access journal)
Full text available for: Role of Ninth Month Garbhini Paricharya as Partus Preparatory for easy and safe Delivery: A Critical Review
Year: 2022 | Doi: 10.47070/ayushdhara.v9i5.1015
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Pregnancy is often viewed as a woman's most significant creative accomplishment, culminating in the joyous experience of childbirth. However, for many women, the journey through pregnancy and labor is fraught with complications and difficulties. Every expectant mother hopes for a smooth, safe, and pain-minimized delivery. The Bishop’s score, a system for assessing cervical readiness for labor, plays a crucial role in determining the likelihood of spontaneous labor versus needing a cesarean section. The increasing rate of cesarean sections in India, currently at 21.5%, underscores the importance of finding methods to facilitate natural childbirth experiences. Ayurveda offers a scientific approach, particularly through the practice of Garbhini Paricharya (antenatal care), aimed at ensuring safe motherhood.
The Role of Garbhini Paricharya in Cervical Ripening
One vital aspect of Garbhini Paricharya focuses on the ninth month of pregnancy, where specific Ayurvedic practices, including Anuvasan basti (medicated oil enema) and Yoni Pichu (vaginal tamponing), are highlighted. These therapies utilize oils infused with Madhura skandha (sweet-acting drugs), potentially inducing cervical ripening. Scientific insights suggest that the essential fatty acids, phytoestrogens, and flavonoids present in these oils can enhance cervical readiness and myometrial activity, thereby facilitating the onset of labor. By investigating these therapeutic methods, it becomes evident that Ayurveda incorporates a sophisticated understanding of women's health and promotes practices aligned with modern medical principles.
Importance of Natural Therapies for Labor Preparation
The utilization of natural therapies as alternatives to synthetic medications highlights the increasing public interest in holistic approaches to childbirth preparation. Current conventional methods for labor induction involve chemical products that can lead to adverse side effects. In contrast, Ayurvedic practices prioritize natural agents that not only address labor difficulties but also enhance maternal well-being. The combination of Anuvasan basti and Yoni Pichu therapies has shown promising results in improving Bishop's scores and achieving favorable outcomes during delivery. Emphasizing the use of herbal substances illuminates Ayurveda's commitment to ensuring that women have access to safe and effective labor preparation methods.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Garbhini Paricharya serves as a foundational principle in Ayurveda to reduce the complications associated with pregnancy and childbirth. The specific practices involving Anuvasan basti and Yoni Pichu not only enhance cervical readiness but also activate the myometrial response necessary for labor. As the rise in cesarean deliveries poses potential health risks, integrating these holistic procedures represents a vital step toward promoting safer and more natural childbirth experiences. Embracing the wisdom encapsulated in Ayurvedic practices can lead to healthier maternal and neonatal outcomes, reaffirming the need for a shift toward these traditional yet scientifically relevant methods in modern obstetric care.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the significance of Garbhini Paricharya in pregnancy?
Garbhini Paricharya refers to antenatal care in Ayurveda, emphasizing safe motherhood. Its therapies aim to achieve Sukhprasava, ensuring smooth, safe deliveries while reducing maternal and neonatal complications.
How do Anuvasana basti and Yoni Pichu assist in delivery?
Anuvasana basti and Yoni Pichu are therapies suggested in Ayurveda to promote cervical ripening and myometrial activation. They utilize essential fatty acids and phytoestrogens, which may improve labor conditions and outcomes.
What are the potential benefits of using Ayurvedic practices in childbirth?
Ayurvedic practices like Garbhini Paricharya offer holistic approaches for childbirth. They can lead to reduced cesarean rates, favorable Bishop's scores, decreased labor pain, and improved maternal health by preparing the body for natural delivery.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Ninth Month Garbhini Paricharya: Key for Safe Delivery”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Labour (Labor):
Labour is a crucial process that marks the culmination of pregnancy, involving cervical ripening and myometrial activation which results in the safe delivery of a baby. It requires significant preparation during the pre-labour phase and is influenced by various hormonal and inflammatory changes.
2) Madhura:
Madhura refers to the sweet taste, a significant property in Ayurveda used to classify certain drugs and their effects. These drugs are included under the Madhura-skandha and are known for their sweet taste (Madhura-rasa), final transformation (Madhura-vipaka), and specific action (Madhura-prabhava) promoting strength and nourishment.
3) Drug:
In the context of Ayurveda, 'drug' refers to herbal or natural substances used for therapeutic purposes. Specifically, drugs from the Madhura-skandha are used for their beneficial properties including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant effects to prepare the body for easy and safe delivery during pregnancy.
4) Basti:
Basti is a crucial Ayurvedic treatment used to regulate Vata dosha. It involves administering medicated substances, particularly oils, through the rectum. Anuvasana basti, a type of Basti, helps in cervical ripening and myometrial activation, promoting efficient labour by countering Vata dosha.
5) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine from India focusing on holistic health and wellness. It emphasizes natural therapies and preventive care, such as the Garbhini Paricharya regimen described for pregnant women to ensure safe and easy delivery, using therapies like Anuvasana basti and Yoni pichu.
6) Picu:
Pichu is a therapeutic practice in Ayurveda involving the use of a sterile cotton swab soaked in medicated oil. During the ninth month of pregnancy, Yoni pichu is used to lubricate and soften the vaginal passage, aiding in easy and safe delivery by enhancing the stretchability of perineal tissue.
7) Skandha (Skamdha, Skamda):
Skandha refers to a group or classification in Ayurvedic texts. Madhura-skandha classifies drugs with sweet taste, sweet transformation, and specific sweet actions, which provide various therapeutic effects like nourishment, strength, and balance of Vata dosha, critical for preparing the body for labour.
8) Vata:
Vata is one of the three fundamental doshas in Ayurveda, responsible for movement and flow in the body. Its regulation is crucial in pregnancy and childbirth. Therapies like Anuvasana basti help maintain Vata in normalcy, promoting natural expulsion of the fetus and easy parturition.
9) Madhuraskandha (Madhura-skandha):
Madhura-skandha consists of drugs characterized by sweet taste, final sweet transformation, and specific sweet action. These drugs aid in achieving functions like nourishment, strength, and balancing Vata dosha, which are essential for preparing the body for childbirth.
10) Garbhini:
Garbhini refers to a pregnant woman in Ayurveda. Garbhini Paricharya is the regimen prescribed for antenatal care, including specific dietary and therapeutic practices such as Anuvasana basti and Yoni pichu, aiming at a safe and easy delivery by preparing the body for labour.
11) Yoni (Yonin):
Yoni in Ayurveda refers to the female genital tract. During the ninth month of pregnancy, Yoni pichu or vaginal tamponing with medicated oil is recommended to lubricate and soften the vaginal passage, aiding in easy and safe delivery by enhancing the stretchability of perineal tissue.
12) Birth:
Birth, or parturition, is the process of delivering a baby. Preparatory measures in Ayurveda, such as the use of Anuvasana basti and Yoni pichu, aim to ease birth by ensuring cervical ripening and efficient myometrial activation, thus promoting an easy and safe labour.
13) Anuvasanabasti (Anuvasana-basti):
Anuvasana basti is a type of Basti treatment in Ayurveda involving the administration of medicated oil enemas. During the ninth month of pregnancy, it helps in cervical ripening and myometrial activation by countering Vata dosha and promoting natural, easy labor.
14) Anuvasana:
Anuvasana refers to a type of Basti treatment using oil. This treatment helps lubricate and counter dryness in the body, particularly helpful during the ninth month of pregnancy for cervical ripening and efficient myometrial activation, thus aiding in easy and safe delivery.
15) Beta:
Beta refers to one of the estrogen receptors, ER-beta, which is important in the transformation of the pregnant myometrium from a quiescent to a contractile state. Phytoestrogens from Madhura-skandha drugs have higher binding affinity to ER-beta, aiding in preparation for labour.
16) Dosha (Dosa):
Doshas are the three fundamental bio-energies in Ayurveda: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The regulation of these doshas, particularly Vata during pregnancy, is crucial for maintaining health and ensuring proper labour, as therapies like Anuvasana basti and Yoni pichu aim to balance them.
17) Balya:
Balya refers to the property of promoting strength. Many Madhura-skandha drugs have Balya properties, providing the necessary strength to the mother's body, particularly the uterine and vaginal musculature, to withstand the strain of labour and aid in easy and safe delivery.
18) Madhurarasa (Madhura-rasa):
Madhurarasa refers to the sweet taste, an important therapeutic property in Ayurveda. Madhurarasa drugs nourish and strengthen the body, essential for preparing it for labour and ensuring a smooth and safe childbirth.
19) Vatadosha (Vatadosa, Vata-dosha):
Vata-dosha is one of the three fundamental doshas in Ayurveda, essential for movement and flow in the body. Maintaining its balance is crucial during pregnancy. Therapies like Anuvasana basti help in its regulation, ensuring efficient myometrial activation and natural expulsion of the fetus.
20) Science (Scientific):
The Garbhini Paricharya regimen and its recommended practices such as Anuvasana basti and Yoni pichu are considered highly scientific. These methods are supported by modern research for their roles in cervical ripening and labour preparation, underlying their effectiveness in safe childbirth.
21) Prasuti:
Prasuti refers to childbirth or delivery. Ayurveda places great emphasis on Prasuti maruta, which involves the proper functioning of Apana vayu required for expelling the fetus. Practices like Anuvasana basti help regulate this, aiding in easy and natural childbirth.
22) Ghrita (Ghrta):
Ghrita, or clarified butter, is recommended in the ninth month of pregnancy for its rich content of omega-6 fatty acids, essential in the production of prostaglandins and aiding in cervical ripening and inflammatory processes required for the onset of labour.
23) Vipaka:
Vipaka refers to the final transformation of a drug's taste after digestion. Madhura-vipaka is the sweet transformation noted in many Madhura-skandha drugs, contributing to their nourishing and strengthening effects, crucial for preparing the body for labour.
24) India:
India is the origin of Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine that provides comprehensive health and wellness regimens, including Garbhini Paricharya, which employs treatments like Anuvasana basti and Yoni pichu to ensure safe and natural childbirth.
25) Rasa (Rasha):
Rasa refers to taste in Ayurveda. Each taste has specific therapeutic effects. Madhura-rasa, or sweet taste, is predominant in Madhura-skandha drugs, known for their nourishing, strengthening properties essential for preparing the body for labour.
26) Vayu:
Vayu refers to the wind element, associated with Vata dosha, crucial for movement and flow in the body. Regulating Vayu is essential during pregnancy for proper functioning of Prasuti maruta, aiding in natural and easy childbirth.
27) Guna:
Guna refers to qualities or attributes in Ayurveda. Oils used in Anuvasana basti are described as having Snigdha (unctuous) and Guru (heavy) guna, critical for balancing Vata dosha and ensuring lubrication and strength, facilitating easy childbirth.
28) Pain:
Pain is a significant concern during labour. The therapies recommended in Ayurveda, such as Anuvasana basti and Yoni pichu, aim to minimize pain and discomfort by ensuring proper cervical ripening and effective myometrial activation, facilitating a smoother delivery process.
29) Transformation (Transform, Transforming):
Transformation in Ayurveda refers to the changes that occur in the body's doshas and tissues. Madhura-vipaka is the final sweet transformation of Madhura-skandha drugs, contributing to nourishment and strength necessary for labour preparation.
30) Apanavayu (Apana-vayu):
Apana-vayu, a sub-dosha of Vata, is responsible for downward movements, including childbirth. Proper functioning of Apana-vayu ensures the natural expulsion of the fetus. Anuvasana basti helps regulate Apana-vayu, aiding in effective and easy delivery.
31) Mahabhuta (Maha-bhuta):
Mahabhuta refers to the five great elements in Ayurveda. Madhura-rasa, with predominance of Prithavi and Jala Mahabhuta, is involved in drug properties promoting nourishment and strength, vital for preparing a pregnant woman's body for labour.
32) Prabhava:
Prabhava refers to the specific action or effect of a drug beyond its taste and transformation. Drugs in the Madhura-skandha possess Madhura-prabhava, leading to unique beneficial actions like balancing Vata dosha and aiding in natural childbirth.
33) Rukshata (Ruksata):
Rukshata refers to dryness. Medicated oils used in Anuvasana basti counteract Rukshata, ensuring lubrication of the vaginal passage and softening of tissues, facilitating easy and safe childbirth by maintaining the balance of Vata dosha.
34) Medicine:
Ayurveda is an ancient scientific system of medicine. It aims to provide holistic and natural treatments for various health concerns, including pregnancy and childbirth, by using herbal therapies and specific regimens like Garbhini Paricharya for safe and effective labor.
35) Pregnant:
Pregnant women benefit significantly from specific Ayurvedic regimens like Garbhini Paricharya, which include therapies such as Anuvasana basti and Yoni pichu. These practices help prepare the body for labour, ensuring a smooth and safe delivery.
36) Snigdha:
Snigdha refers to the unctuous quality in Ayurveda, essential for countering dryness. Oils used in Anuvasana basti are Snigdha, helping to lubricate the body's channels, particularly the vaginal passage, aiding in easy and safe delivery by balancing Vata dosha.
37) Tanutva:
Tanutva refers to the stretchability or thinness of tissues. Yoni pichu with medicated oils enhances Tanutva, increasing the stretchability and strength of the vaginal and perineal muscles, aiding in easier and safer childbirth.
38) Apana:
Apana is a sub-dosha of Vata, responsible for downward movements in the body, including childbirth. Proper functioning of Apana is crucial for natural and effective expulsion of the fetus, which is aided by therapies like Anuvasana basti.
39) Bala:
Bala refers to strength in Ayurveda. Many drugs under the Madhura-skandha provide Bala, ensuring the mother's body, particularly the uterine and vaginal muscles, are strong enough to withstand the strain of labour, facilitating safe delivery.
40) Guda:
Guda refers to the rectum. Anuvasana basti involves administering medicated oils through the Guda, which helps in balancing Vata dosha and ensuring proper cervical ripening and myometrial activation, crucial for an easy and safe delivery.
41) Diet:
Diet is an essential component of Garbhini Paricharya in Ayurveda. Pregnant women are advised to consume foods rich in Ghrita and Madhura-skandha drugs, which help in nourishing the body and preparing it for labour by balancing doshas and promoting strength.
42) Ricinus communis:
Ricinus communis, or castor oil plant, produces Ricinolic acid which is a selective agonist of EP prostanoid receptors. These receptors play a role in cervical ripening and labour preparation by stimulating collagenolysis and inflammatory processes.
43) Vimanasthana (Vimana-sthana):
Vimana-sthana is a section in Ayurvedic texts where Charak has mentioned Madhura-skandha under Shadrasa-skandha. These classifications help in identifying specific herbs and their beneficial properties for therapies such as Anuvasana basti.
44) Pharmacology:
Pharmacology in the context of Ayurveda refers to Dravyaguna, the study of properties and actions of medicinal substances. Ayurvedic pharmacology emphasizes natural herbs and their roles in balancing doshas, crucial for prenatal care and safe labour.
45) Garbhashaya (Garbhasaya, Garbha-ashaya):
Garbhashaya refers to the uterus. Ayurvedic regimens for pregnant women, like the use of Anuvasana basti, help strengthen the Garbhashaya and ensure its proper function and readiness for the process of childbirth, facilitating an easy and safe delivery.
46) Pranavata (Prana-vata):
Prana-vata is a sub-dosha of Vata, representing higher centers of brain. It regulates the functioning of Vyanavayu and Apana. Anuvasana basti helps in balancing Prana-vata, indirectly aiding in myometrial activation and ensuring effective labour.
47) Jatharagni (Jathara-agni):
Jatharagni refers to the digestive fire in Ayurveda. Anuvasana basti stimulates Jatharagni, aiding in the regulation of Vata dosha and promoting effective digestion and metabolism, which are crucial for overall health during pregnancy.
48) Dravyaguna (Dravya-guna):
Dravyaguna is the study of the properties and actions of medicinal substances in Ayurveda. This knowledge is essential for selecting appropriate drugs and therapies, like those in the Madhura-skandha, used in prenatal care regimens to ensure safe childbirth.
49) Pakvashaya (Pakvasaya, Pakva-ashaya):
Pakvashaya refers to the colon or lower digestive tract in Ayurveda. Basti treatments are administered here to regulate Vata dosha, ensuring proper bowel movements and aiding in overall health and readiness for labour.
50) Anti-aging:
Anti-aging properties are found in certain Ayurvedic drugs, particularly those in the Madhura-skandha, which include Rasayana herbs. These properties help in rejuvenation and overall health, indirectly supporting a healthy pregnancy and childbirth.
51) Discussion:
The discussion in the provided text reviews the scientific basis and benefits of Ayush therapies like Anuvasana basti and Yoni pichu for cervical ripening and labour preparation, highlighting their potential to replace chemical methods and reduce cesarean section rates.
52) Irritation:
Irritation of the cervix, such as that caused by Yoni pichu, can lead to the production of prostaglandins, which enhance gap junction formation and initiate labour. This mechanical stimulation is a natural way to prepare the body for childbirth.
53) Prasarana:
Prasarana refers to the extension or spreading, which in the context of labour involves the contraction and relaxation of uterine muscles. Vyanavayu, responsible for Prasarana and Akshepa, plays a crucial role in the birth process.
54) Snigdhata:
Snigdhata refers to the unctuousness or lubrication provided by oils used in Anuvasana basti and Yoni pichu. This quality helps in reducing dryness, lubricating the vaginal passage, and preparing the body for easy and safe delivery.
55) Vyanavayu (Vyana-vayu):
Vyanavayu is a sub-dosha of Vata responsible for circulation and movement throughout the body, including contractions during labour. Proper regulation of Vyanavayu is essential for effective myometrial activation and ensuring smooth delivery.
[Note: The above list is limited to 75. Total glossary definitions available: 87]