PRECONCEPTIONAL CARE THROUGH AYURVEDA FOR HEALTHY PROGENY

Abstract

In the present era of competitive world there is endless struggle to achieve the best. With the increasing world population and adoption of small family norms it becomes essential to have a progeny endowed with best health, intelligence and all good qualities. But it is disheartening to know that cases of recurrent abortions, infertility, congenital and chromosomal abnormality, intra uterine growth retardation, mentally challenged babies are on an increase; probably because of delayed marriages, increased work stress, faulty lifestyle and increasing charm for western culture. In a race to achieve set goals, couples knowingly or unknowingly are compromising with their health; which is actually of prime importance. The main aim of ayurveda is to restore the health of healthy body and for this great emphasis has been laid upon dinacharya, ritu charya, pathya-apathya in ayurvedic classics. Likewise in prasuti tantra(obstetrics) with the aim of achieving shreshtha praja (qualitative progeny) paricharya (diet and lifestyle) in antenatal phase is described. Preconceptional care is described in detail in terms of garbhadhan vidhi, garbha sambhava samagri and do’s and don’ts for the couple while planning to have a baby so that one can achieve a healthy offspring and avoid certain anomalies. The aim of this article is to review the ayurvedic literature of preconception care, its relevance in present era and to make mass aware of its importance.