Pregnancy is that time of a woman’s life when she is the most likely to get advices – all free of cost. I got all types of advices during mine right from having saffron to have a fair baby to eating ghee (clarified butter) for the baby to slip out easily. Many advices seemed totally weird and few other ones, I mean, sensible ones, did help out a lot.

Out of the numerous people who gave me advices, I have an aunt who has mothered three kids already, and is an ardent follower of Ayurveda. She told me some useful tips that worked really well with me and here I am jotting down 10 of those for you that can work wonders during pregnancy.

The 10 Ayurveda tips you need to heed

Tip 1- Nourish your senses

Whatever you see, smell, hear, touch and taste should be nourishing to your baby and you. Watch inspirational, motivational movies and videos. 

Keep fresh flowers and scented candles in your room. Listen to Garbha Sanskar music and light instrumental music for relaxation.

Touch your baby bump and try to establish a connection with your baby. Eat fresh, healthy and tasty food to keep yourself and your baby happy.

Tip 2- Eat sattvic aahar

Eat foods that are of a sattvic nature. These refer to foods that are pure, light, gentle on the system and easily digestible for you and your baby. Such foods calm down the state of mind of the mother and the baby and promote growth and well-being of both. Following foods are recommended:

• Milk
• Rice
• Wheat
• Ghee (clarified butter)
• Fresh and mostly green vegetables
• Fresh fruits
• Multi grains

Tip 3- Get an Abhyanga (Ayurvedic oil massage) done daily

Abhyanga is recommended for pregnant women and should be done daily as far as possible. This gives energy to the mother, calms her down and brings about a balanced state of mind in her.

This oil massage balances the Vata Dosha relieving the mother of anxiety, stress and exhaustion. If the mother stays happy, the baby too does.

Tip 4- Balance Vata Dosha

Vata Dosha is to be balanced during pregnancy. It balances out the nervous system and stabilises the mother as well as the baby. Know how to balance the Vata Dosha here.

Tip 5- Take care of 3 tastes

Sweet, sour and salty are the three major tastes that a pregnant lady should take care of. Sweet foods (Potato, sweet potato, cooked beans, carrots) do a baby good (unless the mother has gestational diabetes).

Sour foods should be consumed as liked by the mother and so should salty. Spicy food should be avoided under all circumstances.

Tip 6- Aahaar, Vihaar and Vichaar

Aahar (diet), Vihaar (lifestyle) and Vichaar (thoughts) are to be taken special care of during pregnancy.

Pregnant women should take a healthy and balanced diet, have a healthy and disciplined lifestyle and should think positive thoughts. A good mix of these three foster the development, growth and good health of the mother and that of the baby in turn.

Tip 7- Garbhini Paricharya

Garbhini Paricharya is described as the ‘regimen of a pregnant woman’ according to Ayurveda. It refers to the diet, medications, conduct and behaviour that an expectant mother should follow during pregnancy.

The lady should start following this regimen as soon as her pregnancy gets confirmed. A few pointers from Garbhini Paricharya are as under:

1. Reading spiritual books daily

2. Avoiding Papaya and Pineapple

3. No sleeping during day time

Tip 8- Garbha Sanskar

Garbha Sanskar refers to good habits, morals, values given to a baby while she is in the Garbha (womb). It comprises of music, talks, guided imagery etc. to educate the baby right inside the womb. It calls for the mother to stay relaxed and calm during pregnancy and talks about peforming spiritual and religious practices, meditation etc. for her to stay healthy.

Tip 9- Transcendental Meditation

Ayurveda believes that if the mother-to-be practices transcendental meditation then it can help her calm down her nervous system, relieve her of the stress and fatigue which can as a result pass on the positive effects to the baby.

Tip 10- Staying Happy

Ayurveda stresses the importance of staying happy (for the mother-to-be). The mother and the unborn baby are said to have a very strong bond and connection and thus if the mother stays happy, the happiness passes on to the baby which fastens his pace of growth and development.

It has also been observed that mothers who are under stress during their pregnancy give birth to low birth weight babies.

Embrace these 10 tips by Ayurveda all throughout your pregnancy and you will march through those nine months without even realizing a bit of it. Try them out and let me know the difference you feel after adopting them! Post your comments in the box below. 🙂