For those who practice Ayurveda, preparation for pregnancy is taken very seriously. The sperm and ova are primed for optimal quality, and the environment within the woman's body is prepped for successfully holding the pregnancy. In this holistic tradition, both partners must take specific steps to adequately prepare for the conception of their child-to-be and follow specific precautions during conception to ensure the overall well-being of the child after it is born.
Preconception Preparations
The female who is ready to conceive is also referred to as the "wisewoman." She must first make certain that her eggs are as healthy as possible by following certain guidelines prior to her pregnancy. For example, Ayurvedic tradition emphasizes that during a woman's menstrual period she should focus on rest and self-healing. Maintaining excellent nutrition and following a meditative relaxation practice during the woman's menses is highly recommended. During ovulation, the woman should be especially careful to avoid imbalancing activities or foods.
Any disease or uterine abnormality must be cleared up before the pregnancy to ensure optimal health for the child. Any infections or venereal diseases in the man must be cleared as well before conception.
Through a practice known as pancha karma, both partners take measures to make sure that their bodies are brought into balance. Under the supervision of a trained Ayurvedic practitioner the couple may undergo seven days of heavy sweating and skin oiling techniques.
Parents are encouraged to fill their minds with the thoughts and feelings that they want their child to experience. This allows a soul with that particular visualized energy to become attracted to the couple.
Ayurveda teaches that proper timing for conception is essential to avoid imbalances being passed on in the child. Specific body constitutions should conceive their child at specific times of the year: For those with Vata constitution, summer and spring is recommended for conception. Kapha parents should conceive in the fall and Pitta parents should conceive in the winter. A couple should never make love during an eclipse, especially for conception purposes.
Conceiving the Child
Ayurveda teaches that making love to conceive a child is a sacred act, so intercourse to conceive a child should be focused on a time when a "wished result" will occur. Excessive intercourse is believed to weaken the life force of the parents, which can in turn cause the child to have a weakened immune system. Too much sex is said to also cause a diminished sperm count, which is counterproductive.
During the lovemaking process, the desired child should be visualized. The surroundings in the room should reflect qualities that the couple wishes the child to have. The couple's emotional state should reflect love and peacefulness. Neither partner should be angry, grieving or in love with someone else. Ayurveda teaches that any of these mental states may block conception or negatively affect the development of the child-to-be.
The most "balanced" position for a couple to conceive a child is with the woman positioned on her back. Any drugs or alcohol used during conception are believed to directly affect the well-being of the child. The woman must make sure that she has not fasted or overeaten; nor should she be thirsty.
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