Garbh Sanskar

An Ayurvedic Antenatal Care

The literal meaning of garbh sanskar is educating the foetus in the womb. It is a systematic methodical and proven process of transmitting desired characteristics into the foetus.

Ayurveda always considers community health and hence suggested a special science for child as this child in future will be good citizen. So healthy community can be made following this science, garbh sanskara. (Pregnancy holistic Care)

A word 'Garbha Sanskar' is itself self-explanatory foetus/garbha means a new life taking shape in a woman's womb and sanskara means to educate. During the pregnancy period whatever emotional perceptions a woman experiences, the same are transmitted to the foetus/garbha. The process of selecting and transmitting positive influences by means of yoga, reading, thinking, praying including healthy eating and cheerful behavior is known as 'Garbha Sanskar'.

In Indian culture it is believed that education of real and traditional values and parenting starts right from the time the foetus is confirmed in the womb. This is why when anyone gets pregnant in home, the elder people advice to have positive thoughts and emotions to the pregnant woman.

History of garbh sanskara (Prenatal Education)

Garbh sanskara, originally mentioned in Rig-Veda composed ~3500 years ago Ancient Indian texts have mentioned the importance of supraja janan means giving birth to a baby with healthy body mind and soul.

Various stories of Garbhsanskara are found in Hindu mythology. In Ramayana too, reference is found that before the birth of Lord Rama during 'putra kameshti yagya' the Agni devata gave King Dashratha 'payas' (rice pudding) which can be considered as a form of 'Garbha Sanskar' only. In Mahabharata also there is a well-known mythological story as to how Lord Krishna had taught Abhimanyu to enter in 'chakravyuha' when he was in his mother Subhadra's womb.

When Pralhad's mother was pregnant with him, she used to listen to devotional songs. Therefore, even though Pralhad took birth in a Rakshasa (evil) family, he became a devotee of Lord Vishnu.

Mother of the great Indian freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and mother of the great Indian warrior Maharana Pratap and Shivaji, used to read the courageous stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata when they were pregnant.

Need of Garbhsanskara

To compete in today's overgrowing population and resulting race our future generation needs to be very intelligent, resourceful and creative. The people are now getting the importance of Garbha Sanskar. The ancient concept of having many children has become outdated. Today couples are opting one or two child only. Now it is necessary to bring this single child (precious baby) in sophisticated form so that it makes you proud by its extraordinary and all round qualities.

We saw two children's from same mother having similar sanskar are different in nature and behavior because soul comes in the womb with their inherent properties. That's why to overcome on these properties we have to invite great soul with better sanskar mentioned in Ayurveda so that result will be healthy human being.

It is possible to improve the intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual quotient of the unborn baby through garbh sanskara which ultimately gives a better human being and better society.

Let's gift the new Generation a healthy and quality life much above the materialism.

Scientific Evidences

The popularity of garbh sanskar is also because researchers have proved its relevance and importance in the development of the child. It is now universally proven that the foetus is not just a mindless mass of flesh, but a highly responsive and evolving human being, capable of receiving, understanding and responding to external stimuli. A new wave of research suggests that the foetus can feel, dream, listen, and react to outer stimuli.

Researchers believe that there is a significant effect of the hormonal secretions that are activated by the thoughts of a mother on the unborn baby. The foetus gets an enormous amount of 'hormonal bathing' through the mother, so its chronobiological rhythms are influenced by the mother's sleep/wake cycles, her eating patterns, her movements.

Along with the ability to feel, see, and hear foetus can learn and remember. They recognize mother's voice.
Scientists revealed some interesting facts about foetus in womb

"Plan your Pregnancy, it should not be an accident"

Parents-to-be who want to further their unborn child's mental development should start by assuring that the antenatal environment is well nourished, stress free, drug-free.

Garbh Sanskara in Ayurveda

Ayurveda considers four important factors for outcome of health child,
Dhruvam chaturnam sannidhyat Garbha syat vidhipurvakam!
Krutukshetraambubeejanam samgyat ankuro yatha!! Sushrut Samhita – Sharira sthan
As for good plant, a farmer needs to have four factors – a good/right season when the seed is planted, a healthy seed, the fertile soil and water.
Ayurveda says same is true for a healthy child.
These same factors in holistic pregnancy for outcome of healthy and positive child are as follows

• Ritu – A right time
• Kshetra – healthy uterus as well as healthy women
• Ambu – Nutrients for growth of foetus
• Beeja – Healthy Ovum and healthy Sperm

Ayurveda prescribe a particular daily practice for the pregnant woman. Along with the prescription for diet, yoga and routine body care, instructions are also given for reading material, subjects of discussion, and music and mantras to be listened to.

The Garbha sanskar program basically comprises of three stages :

I) Preconception (Beej sanskar)
II) Duration of Pregnancy (Garbhasanskar)
III) Post Delivery (Bal sanskar)

(I)Preconception – Beej Sanskar

Healthy partners play important role for outcome of healthy child. If the couple is not in a state of mental stability and calmness, even if they are physically fit, they cannot give birth to a healthy child.

A healthy fertility is a result of union of healthy ovum and sperm, additionally a principle of consciousness (Spirit) needs to establish itself in this union then only a positive pregnancy is established. Our preconception program includes following measures-

(II) Pregnancy period (Garbh Sanskar) –

An Ayurvedic ante natal care ( Foetal Class) Garbha sanskar is all about keeping yourself in a good state emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually for the sake of your growing baby.

Ayurveda prescribe the following for foetal wellbeing- Medication, healthy lifestyle of mother, proper diet, listing music, communication with the baby, books reading, positive thinking, pleasant surroundings, practicing yoga, meditation etc.

How we do Garbh Sanskara

Medication-Pregnancy is a natural event in woman's life. To support this natural growth Ayurveda prescribe some herbal combination and medicated ghritas (based on cow's ghee). Herbal combinations are as per monthly foetal growth.

Along with this regular medication pregnancy complications are treated with herbal medicines which are safe in pregnancy. In third trimester some Pichus (Medicated Swab) and Vasti (Medicated Enema) are given for easy labour.

Proper diet-

Parents need to be explained the importance of proper nutrition, timely meals, and healthy meals. Meals should be taken in healthy and happy environment. Spicy, too salty, fermented, highly flavored, pungent and stale foods should be avoided during pregnancy.

Clothing

Proper clothing which suits to pregnant lady is advised. Clothes should be loose and light coloured .Tight fitting cloths disturb blood circulation.

Prayers and havan –

These spiritual activities are to initiate call upon gods and get blessings from them and off course to welcome the soul (in the form of baby). Praying and other spiritual activities like havan is an important part of Garbha sanskar. It is believed to play a role in the spiritual development of a baby. There are mantras and shlokas that are specifically recited for the unborn baby. These include prayers to bless the baby with good attributes like intelligence, good health, happiness and good moral values. Rigveda mentioned shlokas for the protection of the expectant mother and her baby.

Listening Music

Your unborn baby can hear and respond to sounds from the seventh month onwards. So if you're listening to music, it's likely that the baby will be able to hear it too. Some experts believe that listening to music will stimulate your baby's brain development as well as develop the sense of hearing.

You could listen to the soothing tunes of instruments like the sitar, flute or the violin. You could also chant pregnancy shlokas or sing songs to your baby. A good place to start is to hear pregnancy shokas rendered in traditional ragas that create soothing music for expectant mothers. Besides stimulating your baby, listening to music can be an excellent stress buster for you.

Communication with baby

Communicating with your baby, or Garbha sanwaad, is considered to be the most important aspect of Garbha sanskar. It is believed to stimulate the baby's senses, and contribute to the mental and physical growth. It can also go a long way towards building a strong bond between parents and baby.

Your bond with your child starts right from the time you conceive. It is not that when the child is born you know him. The baby listens to you and feels your feelings even when it is developing in your womb.

Caressing, talking and singing to your bump are popular ways of communicating. You and your husband could take turns to caress your bump. You could talk to your baby about a different topic every day. Tell her how happy you are to have her in your life, share funny anecdotes about the family, or talk about your plans for her future.

Autosuggestion and autohypnosis:

This is a meditation technique based on the principle that any idea exclusively occupying the mind can turn into reality. So this technique requires the pregnant mother to make her mind go completely blank, and then start imagining her baby inside is growing well and is healthy. This way you are willing your baby to be healthy, and you will also be creating a positive bond with your baby.

Positive Thinking-
There should be totally no to negative thoughts. Sharngdhar samhita an ancient Ayurveda text mentions that a pregnant woman should give up negative thinking and should always listen to such things which can influence her mind with positive thoughts and good sanskars. During pregnancy, especially in first trimester raging hormones can make you more emotional than usual. So even though you might want to keep happy and stress free throughout, you are likely to have mood swings or ups and downs. Try to retain a happy atmosphere around you. Bring only positive thoughts to your mind and think about your good times in the past or beautiful scenery or landscape or anything that makes you smile and feel happy.

A good comedy or movie with a happy ending can also lift your spirits.

Perhaps, you could put up photographs of your loved ones, around you.
You can help yourself be happy by thinking about your baby. Again music, reading, indulging in hobbies will uplift your mood.
In India some rituals, functions during pregnancy are meant to keep her engaged and bring positivity around her.

Books Reading-

According to Garbh sanskar, it is believed that reading educative books during pregnancy will pass on the wisdom to the child. So for ages, pregnant women have been encouraged to read mythological stories and scriptures, in the hope that good moral values would reach their babies. Read books that give positive feelings and thoughts and make you feel happy and avoid books that are filled with horror or thrilling feelings.

Creativity-

Taking up a hobby during pregnancy keeps your mind active, and is believed to enhance your baby's overall development. You can try your hand at various creative pastimes like painting, pottery and knitting.

Many expecting mothers try their hand at math's, crossword puzzles, classical music, chess or science-based crafts in an effort to enhance their baby's intelligence. If nothing else, a hobby gives you something interesting to do, and is an excellent stress buster.

You can also use your energies to make a short list of baby names you like. This will make choosing one much easier once your baby arrives.

Pleasant surroundings-

It is unadvisable for the pregnant woman to watch the films depicting scenes of horror, murder, and violence. It can produce negative effect on the child's character in future. During pregnancy she should keep company only with people who have a favorable influence over her. Don't go in haunted house, cremation ground, don't stand under the tree at night, don't get annoyed, and don't shout. Try to be in happy-pleasant mood all times because this all affects the baby to be a wise. Means always look at good things and not ugly sights, listen good preach etc. Good sceneries and spiritual photos must be seen and baseless photos, baseless talk must be avoided

Colour therapy:

This is the use of light and colour to balance your physical, emotional, spiritual or mental energy. It is believed that such therapy can uplift you and consequently your baby. Some believe that it develops your baby's eyes.

Aromatherapy:

This is the use of essential oils and other aromatic substances to soothe the body and mind and sharpen your five senses.

Exercise-:

It should be done as per doctor's advice and under supervision of expert only.
Yoga or mild exercises increase the flexibility and elasticity of mother's muscles, which would be useful during labour. It increases blood circulation and capacity to bear pain during pregnancy and labour. The pranayama and breathing techniques in yoga helps in relaxation.

Meditation-

Meditation is an integral part of yoga as well as Garbha sanskar. It helps to give you peace of mind and improve your concentration. In doing so, it is believed that you are helping your baby in the same way. You are helping her develop the ability to stay calm in stressful circumstances.

Meditation involves trying to achieve a 'zero state of mind' which is when you are thinking about nothing and your mind is blank. While trying to meditate, you can visualize your baby and with each breath think of all the wonderful experiences you want to share with her. Many mothers find that this process brings them joy and helps them connect better with their growing babies.

(III) Post Delivery care and Bal sanskar -

A mother who has recently delivered has problems with anxiety, depression, insecurity, dryness, constipation, gas, indigestion, and sleep, which are all Vata complications. According to Ayurveda, after child birth a mother should be treated for a Vata imbalance. Ayurveda prescribe easily digestible specific diet and medication to regain her vitality and improve lactation. Mild massages or oleation of the body is recommended for vitiated Vata.

Bal sanskar

Bal sanskar is an introduction to baby care and again imparting some good habits in baby, it includes topics like proper techniques of holding the baby, safety issues while sleeping, feeding, and sanitation of the baby. Management of common complaints of baby like colic pain, gases, vomiting, etc. Settling down a crying baby. And of course swarn prashan an ayurvedic immunization is also an integral part of bal sanskara.
Mother is taught basics of Breast feeding, Do's and Don'ts during and after feeding. Importance and techniques of massage and bathing are taught to the mother.