It is fascinating to speak with modern day midwifes and correlate the knowledge that they have come to know through their own experience has been given by Shri Charak Samhita in the classical Ayurvedic text. There is also a lot more wisdom still to be revealed so we thought it ripe to give birth to a beautiful summary of the main points. May every mother out there birth a Divine child and may her health be preserved so she can nourish a Divine Society

9^th month (36-40 weeks) onwards:

In the 9^th month of pregnancy the mother should be given unctuous enema preparations with organic cold pressed sesame oil prepared with madhuraushadhi. Madhura means sweet taste which means they embody lots of Soma (cooling lunar energy) in their vibrational makeup. Some of these are roots and some flowers. Liquorice root is the most well known on the list.

Herewith the nominated sweet herbs (Sanskrit / Botanical Name):

• Jeevak - Microstylis wallichii (orchid)
• Rishbhak – Microstylis muscifera (orchid)
• Meda - Polygonatum Verticillatum [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygonatum_verticillatum)]
• Mahameda – Polygonatum [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygonatum]
• Kakoli - Roscoea procera
• Kshirkakoli - Roscoea sp.
• Yastimadhu – Glycyrrhiza glabra [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquorice].

Polygonatum Verticillatum

The same oil and sweet herb preparation (medicated oil) should be placed in organic cotton swabs and kept in the yoni (vagina).

The effect of the above protocol gives following results:

• Softening of perineum, pelvis, waist, side of the chest and back
• Helps with balancing of vata in general and specifically the downward movement of vata.
• Normalizes urination and defecation
• Softens the skin and nails
• Gives the mother more power and radiance.

Most important of all it helps for an easy and safe delivery of the child at the right time of delivery (not too early, nor too late).

Vata is the key focus of the above protocol so that in the 9th month when the fruit is about to ripen and “fall” from the tree, vata is kept in balance maximally so there is an oily, nourishing protocol. In the proceeding 8 months there is an emphasis on internal oleation using dairy products and ghee in the diet. For more information on the 1 – 8 month protocol kindly view here.

MATERNITY HOME

In ancient times a special home was prepared for bringing the Divine soul into this world. The place and method of construction was specified as below:

• Place should be cleared of any broken material, bones or anything inauspicious (hence the site should be properly cleared) See link agnihotra
• The soil where it is constructed should have a good smell, texture and taste (this indicates the place should be fertile and well irrigated)
• The home should be constructed as per Vaastu Shastra
• Entrance should be from either EAST or NORTH side only (the scientific reason for this is explained in our Vaastu / Sthapatya Veda section on the site) in a nutshell all prana “arrives” on earth from the East and hence Eastern direction is heavily energized with nourishing prana from nature. The morning sun is full of pathogenic killing light (ultraviolet). By orientating with East entrance maximum morning light can enter the building
• The maternity home should be constructed from high vibration and purifying woods. Note that wood is mentioned as the material, wood is known to be one of the most healing and nourishing building materials. A research in Sweden showed that people in wooden homes have lowest cancer in the country. Charaka mentions following woods: bilva, tinduka, ingudi, bhallataka, varana, khadira.

The “modern” maternity home:

Most of us won’t take the time to construct a maternity home but if possible one should try get a home (if doing home birth) birthing centre/hospital, or room (if hospital birth) that has the following qualities:

1. Vaastu should be good. Building should get maximum light from North and East and have a North or East entrance. Building should be orientated on the earth’s grid (longitude / latitude) and not tilted more than a few degrees from these lines
2. Building should make use of natural construction materials as possible and preferable as much wood as possible. Also as little synthetic materials as possible.

Perhaps in an ideal world we will all have the chance to construct special birthing homes for our future generations or special clinics could be made that allow for this within the clinic.

Some notes:

Birthing home should have a toilet and all equipments needed for the birth. A fireplace should be there and a full pharmacy of necessary herbs and equipments should be present. The climate should be controlled (naturally if possible) to make it very comfortable. Warm oil in vedic science is comparible in effect with warm water - as commonly used with modern day birthing techniques.

The following should be kept in the pharmacy of the birthing home:

• Ghee, oil, honey, all types of natural salt (rock salt, sea salt etc.)
• Vidanga, Kustha, Kilima, Nagara, Pippali, Pippali Mula, Hastipippali, Mandukaparni, Elettaria, Langali, Vaca, Cavya, Citraka, Cirabilva, Hingu, Sarsapa, Lasuna, Kataka, Kana, Kundaka, Kanika, Nipa, Atasi, Balvaja, Bhurja, Kulattha, Maireya, Sura and medicated wines (asavas)

The above list are many traditional home remedies for all sorts of ailments and would for the most grow wild in the villages of India. Some of the more famous mentioned are cardamom, brahmi, pippali, calamus and so forth.

The midwives would be skilled to use the herbal preparations to manage any birth situation that would arise. This is an ancient birthing pharmacy.

If the medicines and the learned persons who know to use them are not available you can use what is locally available from your traditional knowledge systems assuming an expert is at hand.

Furthermore the following should be kept for the birth and mother:

• Two grinding stones
• Two small pestles
• Two mortars
• A nearby cowshed (if possible)
• Gold and silver needles
• Surgical instruments
• Two beds prepared from sacred wood
• Ingudi as firewood.

Female attendants (midwifes and doulas) who are affectionate, deeply caring for the mother, well mannered, resourceful, loving, without grief, able to withstand hardships and calm minded and centred should be present.

The Rishis above are describing the qualities of the midwives and other female attendants.

ENTERING THE BIRTHING HOME

An auspicious and powerful day (based on the Jyotish) would be chosen by the astrologers for the mother to enter the birthing home. The moon should be strong and well placed. At this time prayers should be offered (a yagya could be performed). Some animals should be fed (cows would be ideal).

The mother should pray and chant auspicious mantras.

At this time she enters the maternity home awaiting delivery.

The Rishis gave the following signs for delivery approaching imminently:

• Exhaustion of the limbs
• Depression of the face
• Loose sensation in the eyes sockets
• Feeling as if something is untied in the chest
• Feeling of something coming down in the pelvis locality
• Heaviness in the lower body
• Pain in the groin, bladder, pelvis, side of the chest and back
• Swelling of the yoni (vagina)
• Loss of appetite.

Shortly thereafter the “labour pains” would commence and the excretion of the amniotic fluid.

Once the pain has begun a soft bed should be prepared for the mother. She should sit over the bed.

The female attendants should be present with her now.

IF DELIVERY IS DELAYED

If despite the labour pains the delivery is delayed the woman should be made to open the mouth with deep inhalation (yawn).  She should also be asked to walk gently around in circles (pace in circles).

A fine inhalation powder can be prepared of:

• Kustha (saussurea lappa)
• Ela (elettaria cardamomum
• Langaliki (gloriosa superba)
• Vaca (acorus calamus)
• Citraka (plumbage zeylanica)
• Cirabilva (pongamia pinnata)
• Cavya (piper chaba).

This powder should be given for her to inhale frequently.

A smoke should be made of bhurja (betula utilis) and simsapa (dalbergia sissoo)

Her body should be anointed every half hour with warm oil at her waists, sides of the chest, back and things. The massage should be gentle.

All the above helps to bring the foetus down:

MANTRA FOR BIRTH

Once the frequency of the labour pains has increased and the foetus has turned and come downwards, the Vaidya should make her lie down over the birthing bed and she should begin to affect the strain needed for delivery in the prescribed manor.

A woman favourably disposed to her should chant the following mantra: 

kṣitirjalaṁ viyattejo vāyurviṣṇuḥ prajāpatiḥ
sagarbhāṁ tvāṁ sadā pāntu vaiśalyaṁ ca diśantu te
prasūṣva tvamavikliṣṭamavikliṣṭā śubhānane
kārtikeyadyutiṁ putraṁ kārtikeyābhirakṣitam iti

Note: Transliteration and audio sample will be posted shortly so it can be learnt.

GUIDELINES FOR THE MOTHER DURING LABOUR

• The mother must not push unless there is labour pain. If she strains despite the labour pain it will cause a number of possible present and future complications. (Breathlessness, cough, consumption, enlargement of spleen tearing)
• When the labour pains come she should push slowly at first and then gradually with more force.

BIRTHING OF THE PLACENTA

PROTOCOL TO FOLLOW IF THE PLACENTA DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY COME

If the placenta does not immediately come out the midwives should forcefully press her abdomen downwards from above the umbilical region and shake the body of the patient well.
Strong pressure should be applied to the hips of the mother and also to the buttocks.

The mother’s throat should be rubbed with the braid of her hair.

The bark of bhurja (Betula utilis) and kacamani should be burnt and the yoni (vagina) should be well fumigated.

A paste of kustha and talisa with sura type of wine can be given. Also a decoction of mandukaparni (centella asiatica) and pippali (piper longum) can be given.

A cotton swab should be soaked in organic cold pressed sesame oil boiled with satapushpa (foeniculum vulgare) [fennel seeds], kustha (saussurea lappa), madana (randia dumetorum) and hingu (ferula narthex) should be kept in the mother’s yoni. Wit the same oil preparation she should be given unctuous enema immediately.

A decoction of balvaja, phala, jimuta, iksvaku, dhamargava, kutaja, krtavedhana, hastipippali should be made and decoction enema should be given.

This enema has a cleaning effect and will help bring vayu downwards and bring the placenta out. All other morbid waste materials will be cleansed from the body.

MANAGEMENT OF THE NEW BORN

The following should be done:

• Stones should be struck near the ears of the child
• The face of the child should be sprinkled with cold water (if it’s summer) or warm water (if winter)
• If the child is not moving he/she should be fanned with a bamboo fan
• When respiration is established the child’s excretory passages should be cleansed with water and he should take a bath
• His palate, lips, throat and tongue should be wiped with a finger (the nail must be cut short and the hand must be very clean)
• After cleaning the mouth the anterior fontanel of the head should be covered with cotton swabs soaked with sesame oil and ghee
• The child should then be given a little cows ghee with rock salt to bring upon emesis.

SEPARATION OF THE UMILICAL CORD

• The cord should be marked approximately 25.5cm from its root where it is attached with the navel.  A sharp instrument made of gold/silver or stainless steel should be used to cut the cord at this mark. The proximal end of the cord should be tied carefully with the help of a thread.

VEDIC BIRTHRITES

• The child should be given honey and ghee which has been impregnated with mantra
• Mantra should be chanted over the right breast of the mother and the milk should be given first from the right breast

PROTECTION OF THE NEW BORN

This should be done for first 10 days at least.

An earthen jar filled with water should be impregnated with mantra and kept near the head of the child for protection.

Branches of: adani , khadira (acacia catechu), karkandhu (zyzyphus nummularia), pilu (salvadora persica) and parusaka (grewia asiatica)should be placed around the maternity home.

Mustard grains, atasi (Linumusitatissimum) and broken rice should be scattered in all places of the maternity home.

Agnihotra should be performed daily and Mahamrtyunja huma can be done offering ghee to the fire. (See Agnihotra article).

All the above have an effect to purify the atmosphere the child is in of any harmful bacteria and of any negative forces.

Vaca, Kustha, Ksaumaka, Hing, Sarsapa, Atasi and Lasuna should be placed around the room and tied to a beam to hang.

A small garland of garlic and hing can be hung in the room which gives anti bacterial effects. Outside of India hing and Garlic would be easily available.

A fire made from tinduka wood should be kept aglow for the 10 days.

The female attendants (doulas) should be constantly around and the mother should not be left alone. There should constant festivity in the house.

A yagya should be performed by those versed in performing. If outside of India one can proceed with Agnihotra and Mrtyunjaya Homa.

Many of the points above are not easily possible but the underlying principal is for the first 10 days the room where the mother is should be purified energetically and physically. Each country has it’s own “sacred” substances. Sacred means the energy of that substance holds a vibration that brings more light to a place. In India it would be sandalwood or khadira or calamus. In South Africa aloe, sage and mpepu would be used. In South America palo santo would be used.

One should get best quality natural incense (Tibetan incense and Bhutanese are the best and most natural especially those from monasteries) and keep it burning to purify the “space”.

One should learn Agnihotra and perform at sunrise and sunset and also perform daily once the Mrtyunjaya havan. This can be done at sunset or sunrise.

The essence is the new born should be in a “protected” space in all ways. The home where the mother is should not be lonely it should be festive and happy. Of course this would have been much easier when we all lived communally like the Indian village system or old villages of Europe but we should keep the underlying principal in mind and heart and try to perform accordingly.

CARE OF THE MOTHER AFTER DELIVERY – MOST IMPORTANT

This is the most important section - if the mother is not well after delivery the child is affected. In “modern” birthing there is not always a deep understanding of how important it is to care properly for the mother. Giving birth means the body goes through a very instant and dramatic change from one state to another (from very Kapha to less Kapha).

There is loss of fluid of tissue and some blood so Vata is highly aggravated. One may clinically observe many mothers develop underlying lifelong chronic ailments shortly after birth and this is completely unnecessary. Of course many of these factors depend on the age and strength of the mother at time of birth but the principals remain the same.

After birth the mother should have plentiful organic cow’s ghee, sesame oil (organic cold pressed olive oil also fine).

A medicated ghee tonic should be prepared with:

• Pippali (piper longum)
• Pippali mula (pippali root)
• Cavya (piper chaba)
• Citraka (plumbago zeylanica)
• Srngavera (zingiber officinale).

If the above is not available prepare ghee with ginger juice and cook the ginger into the ghee. Some Ashwagandha powder and Shatavari powder can also be added.

She should take this herbal ghee in liquid form (it should be warmed in cold climates). This is an amazing tonic for the body after the birth trauma.

The quantity and frequency should be as per her appetite.

After this the doulas should anoint her abdomen with medicated oils and ghee. Kshirabala and Mahanarayan Thailam would be a good selection but if nothing else available use a sesame ghee mixture that has been slow cooked for some time to merge them into one compound.

A pure cotton cloth should be wrapped tightly around the abdomen. This helps preventing vayu to do any harm to the abdomen because of the sudden change in the structure there. This point is most important and should be followed strictly.

In note that in many traditional cultures the “binding of the abdomen” after birth is still carried out.

Post Pregnancy Gruel:

Shri Charaka Rishi mentions a very liquid diet to be taken post partum by the mother and gives mention of gruel with pippali and so forth being added. Herewith our post pregnancy gruel:

SWEET VERSION

• Any sweet whole grain porridge preparation (organic) could be oats, wheat, rice etc. should be sweet not too astringent
• Organic cows ghee
• Organic jaggery (must be organic as non organic jaggery must be avoided due to contamination) if not available use another whole sweetener like maple syrup or organic sugar (unrefined)
• Cardamon, cinnamon, ginger
• Dates.

The sweet gruel can be made with organic raw cow’s milk or with water as you prefer.

SALTY VERSION

• Any sweet whole grain porridge preparation (organic) could be oats, wheat, rice etc. should be sweet not too astringent
• Organic cows ghee
• Little home made vata masala
• Rock salt
• Fresh coriander
• Pinch of pure saffron.

Keep the preparations watery.

The mother should take frequent warm bath (not too hot) and begin a program of regular Abhyanga (oil massage).

The emphasis here is on bringing vata down so taking sweet nourishing warm soupy porridge so she can gently restore to health. The birth of the infant takes much strength from her and she must gradually restore back to full power. She must take maximum rest, keep warm, and keep her diet liquid, warm and unctuous.

References: Shri Charaka Samhita