Peri-Conceptional Care (Garbhadhan Paricharya)

Born and brought up in Chennai, Tamilnadu; the author completed her graduation from Venkataramana Ayurveda College, Chennai in the year 1998-99 and post graduation from Govt. Ayurveda College, Thiruvananthapuram in year May 2002. She has been into clinical practice since then. She had been a meritorious student, a university rank holder and the best outgoing student 1996-97. She is the first female post-graduate in Prasuti-tantra and Striroga of Tamilnadu origin. She started her academic career as a lecturer at Dharma Ayurveda Medical College in 2012 and is at present working as Asst. Prof. in Govt. Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital, Nagercoil (Kanniyakumari). She has authored texts A comprehensive treatise on Prasuti tantra (Obstetrics) and A comprehensive treatise on Striroga (Gynaecology). She is also interested in sketching, painting, literature. Her articles, poems and essays have been published in many leading magazines, journals and newspapers. She holds British medical journal certificate for diagnostic picture test and has also participated in seminar on hypertension and cardiovascular disease organised by American society of Hypertension. She is actively involved in creating awareness on social issues and health awareness among women through Ayurveda.

Ayurveda defines health as well-being of an individual in terms of physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual and social aspect.

Positive health of an individual is the most important of all because the ultimate goal (moksa) can be achieved only by a healthy person. The four goals of life Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksa can be achieved only through a healthy body and mind. When it comes to health it is right to say 'start early', and what could be better than Pre-conception. This care is the earliest that could be given which would lead to birth of a healthy child, inturn a society leading to a healthy nation.

Caraka had rightly said in Jatisutriya adhydya

In ancient days, a healthy child was the ultimate goal of marriage and the same could be inferred from our sastras. The preparation and planning for healthy child begins from selection of partner, marriage, cohabitation and conception. There are set of rules and regulations, do's and dont's mentioned for the same. Hence Peri-conception care is not a new concept in Ayurveda. The approach to Garbhadhana paricarya (Peri-conception care) in Ayurveda is scientific and evidential along with psychic, social, spiritual, religious and cultural dimension. Most of the rituals offer psychological tranquility whereas sodhana and samana methods lead to physical equilibrium.

Rtu, ksetra, ambu, bija-the four factors essential for conception are the prerequisites for formation of a healthy progeny along with satwa (psyche), atma and vata. The development of foetus is brought about by pancamahabhutas (subtle components)-the fundamental entity incorporated in sadbhavas.