Clinical Applications of Maternal and Childcare

Abstract

Every child deserves to have a healthy start in life and every mother should have access to quality healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth. As pregnancy and childbirth are one of the most critical events in a woman’s life cycle that maintain the continuity and existence of human species in this world. According to WHO, more than 800 women die every day and every 7 minutes one woman dies in India from complications in pregnancy and childbirth. Ayurveda, the ancient science of life focuses on protection of health based on life style followed by curing diseased one. This science believes in planned progeny rather than an accidental one. For that, certain principles are described in our classics for the care of the lady in pregnancy period from pre-conception period to the very first day of conception and till the day of delivery. As well as maternal care in the purpeurial period and the care of new born which lays utmost importance on dehika, manasika and vachika state and ahara-vihara of a pregnant lady. The whole aim of giving these principles are to protect the mother and growing fetus from various hazards and help the mother to regain her normal health. The paper focuses on implication of Ayurveda’s profound knowledge of garbhini, sutika and shishu paricharya in preventing maternal as well as new born mortality and morbidity. This proves Ayurveda as a science of life.