E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Post-natal care

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2022 Volume 7 Number 9 October
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Sutikopakrama key for Healthy Mother and Healthy Child

Patil S.1*, Nanda K.2, Anushree A.3
DOI:

1* Sankanagoud Patil, Associate Professor, Department of PG Studies in Swasthavritta, JSS Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.

2 KO Nanda, Assistant Professor, Department of PG Studies in Prasooti Tantra & Stree Roga, JSS Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.

3 ABC Anushree, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of PG Studies in Prasooti Tantra & Stree Roga, JSS Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.

Ayurveda elucidate due importance for the care of women at every phase of her life, especially when it comes to antenatal and postnatal care. Post-natal is a period flowing child birth which can be certainly co-related with Sutika Paricharya explained in Ayurveda. In this stage mother should be educated to take care of herself and the new born baby as the health of the mother affects directly over the newborn. After delivery woman becomes weedy, also empty bodied (Shoonya Shareera) [1] due to physical and mental stress and debility at the level of reproductive organs. It is essential for a mother to deepen and gain the mental, emotional and spiritual resources needed to carry her though all the demands of family life, without feeling depleted. In this article highlights on various major components of Sutika Paricharya such as Ashwasana (Psychological Reassurance), Vihara and Aahara (Normal diet in puerperium) etc., Ayurveda prescribes numerous herbs to establish healthy status of the woman after delivery. Ayurveda has executed the post-natal care (Sutika Paricharya) in a meticulous fashion focusing on every aspect required to nurture and replenish the health of woman and avoid postpartum complications.

Keywords: Sutika Paricharya, Shoonya Shareera, Ashwasana, Ahara-Vihara, Post-natal care

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Sankanagoud Patil, Associate Professor, Department of PG Studies in Swasthavritta, JSS Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.
Email: 		Sankanagoud Patil, KO Nanda, ABC Anushree, Sutikopakrama key for Healthy Mother and Healthy Child. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2022;7(9):91-93.
Available From
https://www.jaims.in/jaims/article/view/2083

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2022-08-29 2022-08-31 2022-09-07 2022-09-14 2022-09-21
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
Nil Nil Yes 17%

© 2022by Sankanagoud Patil, KO Nanda, ABC Anushreeand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2022;7(9)91
Patil S et al: Sutikopakrama key for Healthy Mother and Healthy Child

Introduction

Sutika Paricharya or postnatal care is one such field of Ayurveda, where application of knowledge of tradition, practice of medicine and scientific logistics can be amalgamated for the better management of mother and child.

The Sutika period which starts from the time of expulsion of the placenta upto 6 weeks.[2] In special cases of Moodagarbhanirharana it extends to four months and Kashyapa also opined that till the resumption of her menstruation which suggests that Dhartusamparipoornata, lady is to be considered as Sutika. During this crucial period enormous changes and adaptations which takes place in the maternal body to accomplish the smooth growth and expulsion of the baby, later both anatomically and physiologically revert back to pre-pregnancy status.

Prevention is better than cure, in this regard attempts to treat the Sutika Vyadhis, it is wise to wise prevent them by following Sutikaparicharya. The body of the lady is Shoonya or empty due to draining of her energy for the development of fetus first and then by taking the stress and strain of labour pains with loss of blood during labour. As a result of these the Dhatus are in Kshayitashithilaavassta and the Vata is more in Dhushtavastha with slightest provoking causes. Hence importance is given to restore the Agni without vitiating the Vata.

The Sutika Paricharya includes[3-8]

1. Ashwaasana - Reassurance to overcome the physical and mental strain of Sutika.

2. Vranitopaasana - Kashyapa has given importance to the Rakshoghna Karma highlighting the importance of asepsis even in the postnatal period, he suggested a special seat for Sutika with the leather bag filled with Ushnabalataila called as ‘Asandika’, which soothes the bady torn abraded and aching perineum and gives comfort to sit and feed the baby.

3. Snehana - Bhaya and Abhyantara ; Inititally Abhyanga with Balataila and Vatahara Ushna Kwatha Upachara is given followed by Pana of Panchakolachoorna with Gododaka for Agnideepana. After two to three days of this Upachara Vidarigandhasiddha Sneha or Ksheerayavagu is given for three days, followed by Sidda Jangala Mamsarasa and Shalyodana.

Sneha with Panchacolachoorna and Yavani, Upakunchika, Saindhava followed by Vidarigandadiganasiddha Ksheera/Snehayavagu.

4. Swedana - Sthanika and Sarvadaihika

5. Snaana - Priyangukrishara is said for Abhyanga and Swedana followed by Ushnaambusnana and Dhoopana

6. Udaraveshtana - Tie an abdominal binder tightly after Abhyanga to the abdomen to prevent the distention of abdomen with Vayu.

7. Dhoopana - Dhoopana with Krimihara/Rakshoghna Dravyas to overcome infections like with Kushta, Agaru, Guggulu with Ghee

8. Shonita Shuddhi - Gudodaka usage will be helping as Yonishodaka

9. Stanya Janana Dravya Upayoga

10. Vyaayama - after Sutika Kaalae., 6 weeks after restoration of dhatus

  • Moola Bandha - Kegel’s Pelvic exercise
  • Udhyaana Bandha - Abdominal tightening
  • Kati Parivartana - Pelvic tilting or rocking
  • Ab-toning/ease crunch
  • Back bridging, Foot and Leg Exercise

No Asanas should be done during the first month after delivery. There after they may be practiced mildly. 3 months after delivery all Asanas may be practiced with comfort the following Asanas can be practiced Padahastasana, Vrishansana, Halasana, Sarvangasana, Matsyasana, Salabasana, Dhanurasana and Bhujangasana, Pavanamuktasana, Paschimottasana.

Discussion

Kashyapa explained Samanyasutikaparicharya and Visheshaparicharya according to the Desha and Kula of the patient seems more practical whereas, Charaka’s Acchasnehapana seems to be suitable only for the patients of Jangaladesha as there is Vatapradhanyata and not for the females of Anupadesha due to Keldadikyata and Kapha dominance in their body. Usage of Gododaka with Panchakola is more appropriate for the Anupadeshaja, Dhupana, Langana and Kledanirharana given prime importance before starting Brihmana Chikitsa.[9]


Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2022;7(9)92
Patil S et al: Sutikopakrama key for Healthy Mother and Healthy Child

Even following Mritagarbha Sutika Paricharya need to be followed. After extraction of immature fetus, for Garbhashaya Shuddi, Arti Vismarana and Praharshanaartha the women should be given with Sura, Seedhu, Arista, Madhu, Madira and Asava or other alcoholic drinks according to her strength. After this she should be treated with Balavardhaka, Brihmana Sneha Rahita Yavagu need to be prescribed. This regimen should be continued till the Kleda of Dosha and Dhathus is cleared. After this the Snehapana, Basti, Ahara – Deepaniya, Jeevaniya, Brihmaniya and Madhura Vatahara Dravyas to be administered.

Though Sutika is not a stage of illness, but there is an increase need of supplementation for food and special nutrition. It is understood that after child birth the digestive power of the women is weak at the same time her nutritional needs increase to meet the dual purpose of regaining her strength and to breast feed the child.

So, there is a need of light carminative, nutritious and liquid diet is advised rather than sweet, oily and heavy diet during early pregnancy and early post-delivery.

Conclusion

‘Care for One is fair for two’ In this era of 21st the woman moving their newborns in the Kangaroo bags on very next days of her delivery, these lengthy cumbersome Paricharya seems little absured. The woman not following proper care during Sutika Kaala may land up with multiple problems in their forties, fifties and seeking the medical aid. But our grandmothers and mothers who followed the Sutika Paricharya systematically with utmost care and consideration are still young, healthy and energetic this conveys the benefits of following Sutika Paricharya. Ayurveda the science of life could contribute significantly in improving mother’s and newborn’s health.

The holistic regimen advised during Sutika Kala, sustain the overall health, nutrition and wellbeing of both the woman and the baby.

The measures are simple, easy to follow by women and families at the house hold level since the emphasis is one use of locally available resources. In this regard more clinical research is required to convey the knowledge to the public in a better way.


Reference

1. Vaghbhata. In, Prof. K.R. Srikantha Murthy. Astanga Samgraha of Vagbhata, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orinetalia; 1999. Vol 2 p. 42

2. Vruddha Jeevaka, Kashyapa. In, Kasyapa-Samhita, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Vishva Bharati; 1996. p.576

3. Agnivesha, Charaka. In, Vaidyajadavaji Trikamji Acharya. Charaka Samhita by Agnivesha revised by Charaka and Dridhabala of Chakrapanidatta, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia.2015. p.349

4. Sushrutha, Nagarjuna. In, Vaidyajadvji Trikamji Acharya. Sushrutha Samhita of Susruta, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan; 2012. p.389.

5. Vagbhata, In, Dr Anna Moreshwar Kunat. Ashtanga Hridaya - Arunadatta Sarvagasundara, Hemadri Ayurveda Rasayana Teeka, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Samskrita Samsthana; 2012. p.376

6. Vaghbhata. In, Prof. K.R. Srikantha Murthy. Astanga Samgraha of Vagbhata, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orinetalia; 1999. Vol 2 p. 42

7. Vruddha Jeevaka, Kashyapa. In, Kasyapa-Samhita, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Vishva Bharati; 1996. p.574

8. D.C. Dutta, Hiralal Konar. Textbook of Obstetrics including Perinatology and Contraception: New Central Book of Agency (P) Ltd, London; Seventh Edition. 2011, p.144

9. Vruddha Jeevaka, Kashyapa. In, Kasyapa-Samhita, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Vishva Bharati; 1996. p.575


Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2022;7(9)93