GARBHINIPARICHARYA: AYURVEDIC ANTENATAL REGIMEN AND ITS SCIENTIFIC CORRELATION WITH MATERNAL-FETAL HEALTH
Introduction: Pregnancy is a crucial physiological phase requiring specialized care to ensure maternal well-being and fetal development. Ayurveda emphasizes Garbhiniparicharya—a comprehensive antenatal regimen encompassing diet, lifestyle, and psychological care tailored to each month of gestation. While these guidelines are rooted in traditional wisdom, many correlate with contemporary scientific findings in nutrition, maternal physiology, and obstetrics. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using Ayurvedic classics (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Kashyapa Samhita), commentaries, and modern textbooks. Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched with keywords “Antenatal care,” “Ayurveda,” “Garbhiniparicharya,” and “Pregnancy nutrition.” Clinical studies, review articles, and experimental research published between 2000–2024 were included. Results: Ayurvedic month-wise paricharya emphasizes pathya ahara (wholesome diet), vihara (lifestyle practices), and aushadhi prayoga (supportive medications like ghrita, ksheera, avaleha). Recommendations such as milk supplementation, ghee intake, and stress-free lifestyle correlate with modern guidelines on protein, fat-soluble vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and psychosocial support. Studies show that Ayurvedic interventions, e.g., Phalaghrita, Shatavari, Ashwagandha, and yoga-based regimens, contribute to maternal nutrition, hormonal balance, and improved pregnancy outcomes. Discussion: Ayurvedic concepts align with modern antenatal principles emphasizing maternal diet, rest, stress reduction, and fetal development milestones. However, scientific validation through randomized clinical trials, biochemical markers, and long-term follow-up remains limited. Conclusion: Garbhiniparicharya provides a holistic, preventive, and culturally acceptable framework for antenatal care. Integrating its principles with modern obstetric science can improve maternal and fetal health outcomes, warranting further interdisciplinary research.
KEYWORDS: Antenatal care, Ayurveda, Fetal development, Garbhiniparicharya, Pregnancy