Conception and Infertility

Are you planning for a child?

The journey of motherhood is unique. Instead of leaving it on chance, Ayurveda advocates conscious conception. Being healthy and inviting healthy progeny- mind, body and soul.

Ayurveda honors and acknowledges the higher universal forces that are part of the conception process and bringing them into awareness is part of the journey. Conception in Ayurveda is spiritual as much as it is a physical process.

When does pregnancy start?

Pregnancy starts long before actual conception takes place. Cultivating a healthy and happy preconceptual period to ensure a healthy and happy progeny is of prime importance in Ayurveda.

According to ancient Ayurvedic text Sushrut Samhita, a simile of a plant growing from seed is given to explain human conception (Shareer, Chapter 2 verse 33). A plant grows from a seed when seed, fertile land, nourishment and favorable time, all come together to help it grow, nourish and nurture, the same way conception happens when four essential factors for conception- Ritu, Kshetra, Ambu and Beeja come together. They are –

1. Ritu – Refers to time. Time when ovulation happens. Ritu is the period of ovulation occurring from 6th to 16 th days after menstruation.
2. Kshetra – It means land, the uterus, healthy and Well primed endometrial bed.
3. Ambu- Nourishing fluids called Rasa. The source of which is sufficient, unobstructed blood circulation.
4. Beeja- It means seed, healthy sperm and healthy ovum from a healthy mother and healthy father.

Amalgamation of all these factors together, and having optimal qualities, results in a healthy conception and growth of a healthy fetus.

In this way, the Ayurvedic ideal goes far beyond just conception. The idea here is of achieving pregnancy with an ideal progeny. For that a ritual named Pumsavana Karma has been described in ancient Ayurvedic texts.

Pumsavana Karma

Pumsavana karma has been described in Ayurvedic tests to achieve –

1. Healthy conception
2. Healthy and stable pregnancy
3. Physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually strong progeny

Ritu

After menstruation from the 4th day to 16th day period is called Ritukaal. A woman during this period is called Rutumati. This has been described as the ideal period for conception. There is a special lifestyle, food and diet habits described for achieving healthy conception called Ritumaticharya. Ayurveda recommends Ritumaticharya for women desiring conception. (Ch. Sha. 4/7)

Ritumaticharya for a healthy conception from Ancient texts of Ayurveda –

1. 1. Follow a daily routine. Having a schedule and morning rituals is calming, cleansing and nourishing.
   2. Take shower every day or indulge in a natural fragrant bath.
   3. Put on pleasing fragrance and anoint with fragrant natural herbal pastes.
   4. Put on nice clothes and jewellery. Decorating oneself with colorful fragrant flowers and flower garlands.
   5. Wear light colored, clean clothes made from natural fibres like cotton, silk and wool.
   6. Visit to peaceful and calming places of worship. Connecting with God or deeper self with prayers, chanting of pious Mantras and meditation.
   7. Visiting elders and taking their blessings.
   8. Spent time in the company of wise elders, learned people and friends and relatives who bring joy and calm. Remove confusion from the mind.
   9. Such a lifestyle brings calm, joy, nourishment and purity. When the mind and body are free from stress and anxiety it creates a favourable environmenlt for conception. ⁽¹⁾
   10. Ayurveda specially recommends happy countenance, indulging, decorating, pampering and spending quality time with the partner.
   11. Indulging with a calm and relaxed mind with a healthy partner brings high chances of conception.
   12. Healthy and nourishing food is very important. Eat fresh organic fruits and vegetables and grains. ⁽²⁾
   13. Eat freshly cooked warm food. Avoid stale, microwave, processed, and food with chemicals and preservatives.
   14. Diet should also include natural milk and dairy. This is also supported by research that full-fat dairy products were associated with a lower risk of ovulatory infertility while low-fat dairy products (including skim, 1%, and 2% milk, yogurt, or cottage cheese) were associated with a higher risk. ⁽³⁾
   15. Women should be careful about the things that they bring into their focus after the conclusion of menstruation, it affects the mind (mana) of the offspring.

    

2. Book a consultation to learn more

3. References –

   1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6275085/
   2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18788250/
   3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17329264/