Ayurveda Tips For A Healthy First Trimester

Pregnancy is an experience that can quite literally change a person for the better, wouldn’t you agree? A lot of things take place during this period, not just physically but also mentally, which makes it a very unique and exciting duration. While being pregnant or expecting a baby, it is vital to focus on your health primarily. This is where the very effective and practical Ayurveda lifestyle practice of Garbhini paricharya comes in!

Garbhini Paricharya describes nursing care during pregnancy, which includes diet (Ahara), activities or habits (Vihara), thinking process (Vichara), mental activities and use of plants and herbs (Aushadha). The following are important considerations:

Ahara (Diet): It is essential to consume a balanced diet. For instance, milk, ghee (melted butter), honey, and other cereals are recommended.

Vihara (Lifestyle): Avoid Garbhopghatakara bhavas or factors that harm pregnancy like travelling, heavy weight lifting and exposure to loud sounds
Vichara (Mental well-being): The use of useful mental practices such as meditation and other techniques to deal with stress to enhance individual welfare is warranted.

Aushadha (Medicinal herbs): Various herbs have been recommended to enhance the dietary intake and to improve the quality of the body's compliance during pregnancy.

Read on to find out how Ayurveda treats pregnant women during the first trimester.

The first trimester of a woman’s pregnancy is crucial as it has a far-reaching impact on the health of the fetus, especially during the entire period of pregnancy. Since this is when the embryo develops into a fetus, a lot of changes happen. Thus, a mother needs to eat sufficiently to ensure that her baby’s growth is right.
With regards to Ayurveda, sound nutrition is well emphasised. However, food choices during this period can greatly affect the woman’s body and reduce some of the symptoms of pregnancy. For example, in the early months of pregnancy, many women complain of morning sickness, tiredness, and sometimes even vomiting; but, according to Ayurveda doctrines regarding nutrition, several dietetic recommendations can help in combating these problems.
One of these is Masanumasika Paricharya, which means a month-to-month diet depending on the month of pregnancy. These can help maintain maternal and fetal health and well-being. 

Let's take a closer look at the core methods regarding the diet requirements for every single month under the fold of the first trimester.

For the first month

• Milk Products: Anupasamskrita Ksheera (processed milk) is suggested constitutionally for offering basic nourishment.
• Sweetened Foods: Sweet dishes such as honey combined with milk are best for feeding the mother and have an excellent digestion capability.

For the Second Month
 

• Medicinal Milk: Milk that has been sweetened with herbs should be allowed to sustain the further development of the baby.
• Liquid Inclusions in the Diet: Concentrating on a more sweetened and cold liquid diet reduces the sensation of vomiting and maintains fluid intake.
   

Third Month
 

• Carbohydrate Foods: Krushara ( a type of rice and pulse food) is recommended because it is rich in nutrients.
• Milk and Honey and Ghee: This combination continues to be a primal option because of its nutrient ingredients.

Let us analyse the foods that Ayurveda prescribes in the first trimester one by one.

Milk: Regarded as a complete meal, milk stands out among the greatest sources and supplies of nutrients. This comes as a relief as it contains a high level of proteins that encourage growth and development in the fetus and fats that provide energy as well. A variety of vitamins, including A, D, and B12, as well as calcium and phosphorus, are also found in milk and are essential for the growth of the bones and teeth of the child.  

Ghee: This clarified butter is known to have a broad range of nutrition, and its high number of calories is praised. Ghee is a source of high amounts of calories and energy, which is perfect for women who are expecting a child and need such support to ensure the growth of the fetus. In addition to that, ghee provides the fats that will facilitate the digestion process to help absorb the calories. Moreover, it has been said to improve the general health of the mother as well as the fetus and make the experience of having a child easier.

Honey: Honey is a natural energy booster with health benefits. More importantly, it is widely used because of its capacity to provide quick energy as a fuel and its medicinal properties, including antioxidative, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities. Furthermore, it has antioxidants that could protect the immune system during pregnancy.

Herbs like Kakoli and Madhuyasti: There is a wealth of evidence supporting some of these herbs, including their ability to promote health and overall well-being. Kakoli is said to be an impressive herb that boosts strength and energy, hence its use in Ayurveda medicine. Madhuyasti's palliative effects on the digestive system and doshas make it useful for pregnant women as it balances the body's energies (doshas) during this crucial period.

In addition, Ayurveda's first-trimester care addresses some other common symptoms of pregnancy. Let's examine them.

Pregnant women frequently face various symptoms during the first trimester, with nausea, vomiting, and fatigue being among the most common. To ease these discomforts, Ayurveda recommends a balanced dietary regimen that targets both the physical and emotional aspects of pregnancy.

Hydration: Staying well-hydrated is crucial, particularly when vomiting occurs, as it can lead to dehydration. Ayurveda practices suggest incorporating herbal teas, coconut water, and clear broths to maintain hydration. These liquids are not only gentle on the stomach but also help replace lost fluids and nutrients.

Sweet foods: Including sweet foods in the diet can be beneficial for managing nausea. Foods like ripe bananas, dates, and honey are recommended as they can provide quick energy and help settle the stomach. Ayurveda emphasises the consumption of naturally sweet foods to soothe the digestive system and balance any excessive vata dosha, which is often linked to feelings of nausea.

Nutrient-rich foods: To address fatigue, it's essential to focus on high-protein foods that offer sustained energy levels. Incorporating sources like lentils, chickpeas, nuts, and dairy products can be advantageous. These foods not only help in building the body’s strength but also support fetal development. Additionally, small, frequent meals throughout the day are encouraged to help keep energy levels stable and minimise discomfort.

Consult with our expert doctors, to get personalised dietary guidelines that can help you to achieve a healthy baby. 

The Garbhini Paricharya emphasise the need and importance of attention to diet during the first trimester of pregnancy. This is a critical period for the pregnant woman and the fetus as it determines the future of pregnancy. Women's health before and during pregnancy can greatly be improved by harmonising the principles of Ayurveda with modern-day prenatal care.

Ayurveda guidelines stress equal distribution within the body and the need to feed the body with the right kind of foods that are good for general health and suitable for the person. For instance, certain measures like recommendations on a diet relevant to one’s digestion, the amount of water consumed, and the intake of proper conditional diets could help mothers with early pregnancy problems like nausea and energy loss.

This correlational approach of Ayurveda and modern approach makes it possible to understand the issues of maternal health in a broader scope and hence improve the environment for the pregnant mother and the fetus as they both begin a new and life-changing journey.