Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important at all times. Still, it becomes crucial when you aspire to bring a new life into this world. Once you have made this ever-important decision, you can increase your fertility and chances of conception.
The first thing to do is to meet your local Ayurvedic Practitioner and conduct a mind-body analysis to identify any imbalances that need correction. This applies to both the man and the woman. Before starting a family, both partners must be mentally, physically, and spiritually healthy and share a joyful relationship.
Under the guidance of an Ayurvedic Practitioner, herb consumption such as Shatavari for women and Ashwagandha for men can enhance overall fertility and improve the chances of pregnancy conception.
Ayurvedic Guidelines for a Healthy and Balanced Pregnancy
Ayurveda provides a comprehensive overview of the best preparations for pregnancy, as it balances the body, mind, and spirit. Suppose you are aspiring to conceive as a couple. In that case, Ayurveda and pregnancy go hand in hand with a month-wise Ayurvedic diet for pregnancy, pre-pregnancy care in Ayurveda, and even Ayurvedic skin care during pregnancy.
One important component of pre-pregnancy care in Ayurveda is balancing dosha, specifically Pitta, which may influence reproductive health. Hot and spicy food can decrease sperm quality in men and ovum quality in women. Alternatively, maximize the use of foods such as asparagus, broccoli, and milk, as well as products that enhance reproductive health. Cumin and turmeric herbs are also highly recommended, as these purify the reproductive system and hormonal interactions.
As they enhance Pitta, Ayurveda and pregnancy guidelines advise against consuming packaged, canned, or frozen foods, leftovers, and foods with vinegar or preservatives. Choose nutritious home-cooked food instead. Quinoa seeds are among the best foods for increasing estrogen activity in females and maintaining hormonal balance in both partners.
Herbs, especially Shatavari and Ashwagandha, are the go-to herbs for enhancing fertility. However, certain foods and herbs should be avoided, such as basil, eggplant, tomato, and bell pepper, because they can block reproduction channels.
Sweet, juicy fruits such as mangoes, peaches, and pears and dry fruits such as raisins, dates, and figs are also helpful for reproductive health. A steamed apple works wonderfully for breakfast to build strength, and split black gram (urad dal) boiled with spices that are good for digestion—like turmeric and cumin—is great for increasing fertility without further inflaming Pitta.
Ayurvedic skin care during pregnancy focuses on natural ingredients such as turmeric, sandalwood and aloe vera to keep skin glowing and healthy in a safe way, avoiding chemicals that may be harmful to both mother and baby.
These Ayurveda and pregnancy tips will help couples balance their surroundings with the right environment to conceive and bless their upcoming child with a healthy start to their health!
Diet and Care: Ayurveda Pregnancy Diet By Month
A practical Ayurveda diet for pregnancy helps maintain reproductive health. Hence, a woman has a better experience when trying to conceive and during a healthy pregnancy. In Ayurveda and pregnancy, one of the most important things is to keep the doshas of the body (mostly Pitta dosha, which is responsible for reproductive functions) balanced.
Hot and spicy food should be avoided during this period in couples as these foods can harm the health of the male sperm and the health of the female ovum. Another thing to avoid is skipping meals, which increases Pitta dosha and disturbs your balance and natural functions. Rather, stock up on vitamins and minerals in foods such as asparagus, broccoli, and dairy, which boost reproduction. Other spices, such as cumin and turmeric, are especially purifying for the reproductive system and can help with links to hormonal communication.
A month-wise Ayurvedic diet for pregnancy needs to be specific to the stages of pregnancy:
- First Trimester: Start with stabilizing and anti-nausea foods like ginger and cardamom. These are useful for alleviating morning sickness and also for catering to and helping with early fetal development.
- Second Trimester: Include more foods such as quinoa and lentils, which are high in protein, to help the growing baby and provide the mother with energy.
- Third Trimester: Focus on nutrition that helps your fetus grow—ghee and dates, which are packed with the nutrients needed by the body while preparing for birth.
Quinoa seeds are excellent choices to help men and women balance their hormones. Sweet fruits such as mango, peach, and pear, and dry fruits such as date and fig, etc., will increase fertility and provide vitamins and minerals.
This Ayurveda diet for pregnancy can help couples conceive better pregnancy and give birth to healthy children. The Ayurvedic diet for pregnancy is month-wise and indicates that it helps the health of the mother and the proper growth and development of the baby at each stage during pregnancy.
Ayurveda and pregnancy also encourage dietary interventions, abhyanga (oil massage), and practices such as yoga to help maintain physical and emotional health. Following the Ayurveda diet for pregnancy guidelines can improve couples’ chances of pregnancy conception and ensure a healthy start for their future child.
What Should the Mother Avoid During Pregnancy?
According to Ayurveda, hot and spicy foods are strictly avoided during pregnancy as they can increase Pitta dosha. An overabundance of Pitta in the body is signaled by a symptom of heat from overactive metabolism. Over-consumption of oily and fried foods is also unfit for pregnancy, as they can lead to low immunity in the fetus. Moreover, alcohol, smoking, and drugs, in general, should never be taken during pregnancy because they damage the fetus’s internal organ formation.
Effects of Poor Habits and Behaviour of the Mother On Her Baby
Bad habits and behaviors during pregnancy — smoking, drinking alcohol, or eating unhealthy foods — can impact the baby’s health in a long-lasting manner. Such practices can result in low birth weight, development problems, and compromised immunity. When Ayurveda and pregnancy come into focus, it follows the importance of a balanced lifestyle and a better mindset for a healthy baby.
Conclusion
Finally, Ayurveda and pregnancy are holistic methods to boost fertility and promote a healthy pregnancy. Following the Ayurvedic way of life with a month-wise Ayurveda diet for pregnancy, avoiding harmful practices, and adopting healthy herbs can promote pregnancy conception in couples and enhance the birth of a healthy child. Stay tuned for the next blog regarding the different stages of pregnancy.
