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As explained by Charaka, a pregnant woman is like a vessel full of oil and should be treated with care, meaning that all doshas, dhatu, mala and ojas of the pregnant woman are at such a critical physiological stage that if one does not attend to her in a timely and proper way it may lead to damage to the foetus or the mother or both. Hence the disorders which may occur during pregnancy are to be treated with special care. For the antenatal mother, the diet or medications which should be used for curing any ailment should be mild and effective. Panchakarma treatment, because of its use of invasive and strong medicines, is to be avoided. Basti and abhyanga to kati are advocated in the eighth month of pregnancy, and these are comparatively safer procedures and may also help in a normal labor. During the eighth month, the fetus is sufficiently developed and viable, and even if the mother gets labor pain while undergoing treatment (mild to aggressive courses, as the need may be), the fetus can be preserved, and there are fewer chances of compromising fetal life.  

As explained by Charaka, a pregnant woman is like a vessel full of oil and should be treated with care, meaning that all doshas, dhatu, mala and ojas of the pregnant woman are at such a critical physiological stage that if one does not attend to her in a timely and proper way it may lead to damage to the foetus or the mother or both. Hence the disorders which may occur during pregnancy are to be treated with special care. For the antenatal mother, the diet or medications which should be used for curing any ailment should be mild and effective. Panchakarma treatment, because of its use of invasive and strong medicines, is to be avoided. Basti and abhyanga to kati are advocated in the eighth month of pregnancy, and these are comparatively safer procedures and may also help in a normal labor. During the eighth month, the fetus is sufficiently developed and viable, and even if the mother gets labor pain while undergoing treatment (mild to aggressive courses, as the need may be), the fetus can be preserved, and there are fewer chances of compromising fetal life.  

The effects of drug use during pregnancy on the fetus has been researched and documented. The mother as well the fetus, if subjected to certain drugs /treatment, can lead to side-effects on either or both.  FDA has specified a certain list of drugs (X category) which are contraindicated during pregnancy . In Ayurveda, the principles of antenatal treatment are given for shamana as well as shodhana, other drugs and treatment are contraindicated. In practice, for any ailments occurring during pregnancy, herbal medicines are preferred over herbo mineral medicines.

The effects of drug use during pregnancy on the fetus has been researched and documented. The mother as well the fetus, if subjected to certain drugs /treatment, can lead to side-effects on either or both.  FDA has specified a certain list of drugs (X category) which are contraindicated during pregnancy <ref> https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/DevelopmentResources/labeling/ucm093307.htm

</ref>. In Ayurveda, the principles of antenatal treatment are given for shamana as well as shodhana, other drugs and treatment are contraindicated. In practice, for any ailments occurring during pregnancy, herbal medicines are preferred over herbo mineral medicines.

==== Disorders of the fetus and its treatment ====

==== Disorders of the fetus and its treatment ====