Changes

If the fetus dies in the womb as a result of excessive increase of ''doshas'' caused due to over-indulgence in pungent and hot things, or due to suppression of urges to pass flatulence, urine and bowel movement, or due to faulty eating, faulty sitting, lying down or standing or due to compression (of the womb) and injuries, or passion, grief, envy, horror, fear etc., or due to intensive/extreme physical activities, then the stomach will be still, rigid, bloated up, cold and stony-hard. This condition would be accompanied by severe pain in the stomach, but the labor pains do not set in and there is no discharge. The woman’s eyes will droop and she may feel nauseous, pain, is in agony, giddiness, and breathlessness with intense restlessness. The natural urges also will not be proper as routine. If these features are seen in a pregnant woman, then it should be construed that the fetus is dead. [30]

If the fetus dies in the womb as a result of excessive increase of ''doshas'' caused due to over-indulgence in pungent and hot things, or due to suppression of urges to pass flatulence, urine and bowel movement, or due to faulty eating, faulty sitting, lying down or standing or due to compression (of the womb) and injuries, or passion, grief, envy, horror, fear etc., or due to intensive/extreme physical activities, then the stomach will be still, rigid, bloated up, cold and stony-hard. This condition would be accompanied by severe pain in the stomach, but the labor pains do not set in and there is no discharge. The woman’s eyes will droop and she may feel nauseous, pain, is in agony, giddiness, and breathlessness with intense restlessness. The natural urges also will not be proper as routine. If these features are seen in a pregnant woman, then it should be construed that the fetus is dead. [30]

तस्य गर्भशल्यस्य जरायुप्रपातनं कर्म संशमनमित्याहुरेके, मन्त्रादिकमथर्ववेदविहितमित्येके, परिदृष्टकर्मणा शल्यहर्त्राहरणमित्येके|  

तस्य गर्भशल्यस्य जरायुप्रपातनं कर्म संशमनमित्याहुरेके, मन्त्रादिकमथर्ववेदविहितमित्येके, परिदृष्टकर्मणा शल्यहर्त्राहरणमित्येके|  

paripakvagarbhashalyAyAH punarvimuktagarbhashalyAyAstadahareva snehopacAraH syAt||31||  

paripakvagarbhashalyAyAH punarvimuktagarbhashalyAyAstadahareva snehopacAraH syAt||31||  

According to some scholars, the treatment of dead foetus (which acts like a foreign body within the womb) consists of administering medicines which are used to expel the placenta. Others suggest using mantras, prayers and spiritual offerings as explained in the Atharva Veda. Yet others believethat it should be removed by surgical means by an expert surgeon.

According to some scholars, the treatment of dead fetus (which acts like a foreign body within the womb) consists of administering medicines which are used to expel the placenta. Others suggest using mantras, prayers and spiritual offerings as explained in the Atharva Veda. Yet others believe that it should be removed by surgical means by an expert surgeon.  

If the dead foetus is immature (i.e., in its early stages of development), then once the dead foetus is extracted, the woman should drink, to her fill, alcoholic drinks such assura, sidhu, arishta, madhu, madira and asava in order to cleanse her uterus, relieve herself from pain and also to become euphoric (i.e., overcome her grief). Then she should be given food articles that are nourishing and strength-enhancing but without fat or oil in them, such as gruels that are suitable for that moment till the excess moisture of the dosha and dhatus are absorbed. Then she should be treated with snehapana (administration of unctuous substances), enema and diets processed with medications possessing appetizing, vitalizing, bulk-promoting, sweet and vata-alleviating properties. If the dead foetus is a mature one, once the dead foetus is removed, that day itself she should be treated with unction measures. [31]

If the dead fetus is immature (i.e., in its early stages of development), then once the dead fetus is extracted, the woman should drink, to her fill, alcoholic drinks such ''assura, sidhu, arishta, madhu, madira'' and ''asava'' in order to cleanse her uterus, relieve herself from pain and also to become euphoric (i.e., overcome her grief). Then she should be given food articles that are nourishing and strength-enhancing but without fat or oil in them, such as gruels that are suitable for that moment till the excess moisture of the ''dosha'' and ''dhatus'' are absorbed. Then she should be treated with ''snehapana'' (administration of unctuous substances), enema and diets processed with medications possessing appetizing, vitalizing, bulk-promoting, sweet and ''vata''-alleviating properties. If the dead fetus is a mature one, once the dead fetus is removed, that day itself she should be treated with unction measures. [31]

 

परमतो निर्विकारमाप्याय्यमानस्य गर्भस्य मासे मासे कर्मोपदेक्ष्यामः|  

परमतो निर्विकारमाप्याय्यमानस्य गर्भस्य मासे मासे कर्मोपदेक्ष्यामः|  

yadidaM karma prathamaM mAsaM samupAdAyopadiShTamAnavamAnmAsAttena garbhiNyAgarbhasamaye garbhadhAriNIkukShikaTIpArshvapRuShThaM [1] mRudUbhavati, vAtashcAnulomaHsampadyate, mUtrapurIShe ca prakRutibhUte sukhena mArgamanupadyete, carmanakhAni camArdavamupayAnti, balavarNau copacIyete; putraM ceShTaM sampadupetaM sukhinaM sukhenaiShA kAleprajAyata iti||32||  

yadidaM karma prathamaM mAsaM samupAdAyopadiShTamAnavamAnmAsAttena garbhiNyAgarbhasamaye garbhadhAriNIkukShikaTIpArshvapRuShThaM [1] mRudUbhavati, vAtashcAnulomaHsampadyate, mUtrapurIShe ca prakRutibhUte sukhena mArgamanupadyete, carmanakhAni camArdavamupayAnti, balavarNau copacIyete; putraM ceShTaM sampadupetaM sukhinaM sukhenaiShA kAleprajAyata iti||32||  

In this verse, we shall explain the monthly regimens to be adopted in a steadily developing, normal pregnancy:  

In this verse, we shall explain the monthly regimen to be adopted in a steadily developing, normal pregnancy:  

• In the first month when pregnancy is suspected, cold and unmedicated milk (that has not been processed with any drug) should be taken in adequate quantity at regular intervals, and nourishing food should be eaten twice a day.

• In the first month when pregnancy is suspected, cold and unmedicated milk (that has not been processed with any drug) should be taken in adequate quantity at regular intervals, and nourishing food should be eaten twice a day.

• In the second month of pregnancy, milk processed with sweet-tasting drugs should be taken, as needed.  

• In the second month of pregnancy, milk processed with sweet-tasting drugs should be taken, as needed.