E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Natural Vaginal Birth

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2025 Volume 10 Number 9 September
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Reviving Sukhaprasava - Classical Approaches to Promote Natural Vaginal Birth

Mishra S1*, Shirke P2
DOI:10.21760/jaims.10.9.18

1* Smirti Mishra, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Prasuti Tantra Evam Stri Roga, Dr DY Patil College of Ayurved and Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, India.

2 Pradnya Shirke, Professor, Department of Prasuti Tantra Evam Stri Roga, Dr DY Patil College of Ayurved and Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, India.

Background: Sukhaprasava (normal labour) is considered a physiological process that should occur spontaneously without any complications. In Ayurveda, this concept encompasses a holistic approach to childbirth, ensuring not only the physical wellbeing of the mother and child but also addressing mental and spiritual health.[1]

Objectives: The primary objective of this review is to explore classical Ayurvedic references regarding Sukhaprasava and understand their applicability in the context of modern obstetric care. It seeks to highlight traditional practices that promote uncomplicated delivery and compare them with current lifestyle factors and medical trends affecting normal labour.[2]

Methods: A thorough literature review was conducted using classical Ayurvedic texts like Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Astanga Hridaya, and Kashyapa Samhita. Contemporary scholarly articles were sourced from PubMed and Google Scholar to correlate traditional practices with modern findings.[3,4]

Results: Ancient Ayurvedic regimens such as Garbhini Paricharya (antenatal care), use of Anuvasana Basti and Yoni Pichu from the 8th to 9th month of pregnancy, and the design of the Sutikagara (labour room) contribute to facilitating smooth and safe delivery.[5,6] Advance maternal age, Lack of physical activity, increasing mental stress, improper dietary habits, and avoidance of squatting positions in contemporary lifestyles are significant factors contributing to the rise in unnatural deliveries.[7]

Conclusion: Emphasizing Ayurvedic principles in prenatal care and childbirth. Preparation has significant potential in supporting Sukhaprasava. These practices should be integrated into modern maternal health protocols to reduce the increasing dependency on surgical and pharmacological interventions during delivery.[8]

Keywords: Sukhaprasava, Garbhini Paricharya, Anuvasana Basti, Maternal wellbeing, Antenatal Care

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Smirti Mishra, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Prasuti Tantra Evam Stri Roga, Dr DY Patil College of Ayurved and Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Email: 		Mishra S, Shirke P, Reviving Sukhaprasava - Classical Approaches to Promote Natural Vaginal Birth. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2025;10(9):117-121.
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https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/4709/

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2025-07-15 2025-07-28 2025-08-08 2025-08-18 2025-08-28
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
None Nil Not required 10.65

© 2025 by Mishra S, Shirke P and 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].

J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(9)117
Download PDFBack To ArticleIntroductionAim and ObjectiveMethodologyDiscussion and ConclusionReferences
Smirti M et al. Classical Approaches to Promote Natural Vaginal Birth

Introduction

Sukhaprasava, also known as easy or comfortable childbirth, is an Ayurvedic concept that aims to promote a smooth and natural childbirth. Sukhaprasava offers a holistic approach to childbirth addressing physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Sukha Prasava promotes a natural and safe approach to childbirth, minimizing the need for medical intervention and promoting a healthier outcome for mother and baby. Acc. To Acharya Kashyap, a woman’s one foot during labor is in Yama Loka, and her other foot is facing the living world. Now a days due to lack of proper diet, modern lifestyle, busy schedule, elderly gravida, the incidence of normal labour (Prakrit Prasava) decreases and the rate of Aprakrit Prasava increases.

So, in order to support expectant mother during this process and encourage a normal vaginal birth, it is necessary to gain classical knowledge about Sukhprasava.

Aim and Objective

To study Sukhaprasava in ancient literature and to understand prenatal care and antenatal regimen.

Methodology

Literature references are collected from Ayurveda classics, commentaries, journal, articles and online sources like Pubmed, Google Scholar.

Probable Reasons behind decreased incidence of normal delivery as compared to ancient time.

In ancient times, pregnant women used to follow certain activities and lifestyle for normal delivery, which are less followed in today’s era.

According to ancient literature, in prenatal period there were preparation of body & reproductive tract well for conception with proper Sharira Shuddhi (Panchkarma), diet, Yoga, & then When woman got conceived Garbhini Paricharya was followed by her from very first month till ninth month of pregnancy. Because of lack of mental stress, more physical act-ivity, household works, regular practice of squating position, having good & balance diet, all these were factors which helped women for uncomplicated normal vaginal delivery (Sukhaprasava).

In contrast of mentioned above in today’s era, women’s are elderly gravida, they are doing less physical work, living more luxurious lifestyle and also having more mental stress, use of western toilets are one of the most important factor which didn’t facilitate normal delivery, because practicing squatting positions as in Indian toilets helping females in widen up the pelvis, stretching and strengthening of perineal muscle, these are the contributing factors for normal labour.

So, because of all the above-mentioned factors the rate of normal vaginal delivery (Sukhaprasava) decreases.

Definition of Sukhprasava

The word such means with ease or happily and the word Prasava, which means to get rid of or to become free, is derived from the Amarkosh. So, the whole word Sukhprasava means delivery of baby happily and without any trouble. Acc. to Acharya Charaka the exact definition of Sukhprasava is “At the ideal time for birth, the head of the fetus gained and deported through the vaginal canal under the influence of Prasuti Maruta and the newborn is capable of self-survival.

Sukhaprasava In Vedic Kala

There are four Vedas, of the four Vedas, in Rigveda and Yajurveda, there are references on anatomical and physiological changes of genitals, the knowledge about conception and delivery are given.

Rigaveda

It explains more about antenatal care and mechanism of labor. Information regarding the development of Garbha in the maternal womb is characterised and mentioned that, calling upon Vishnu, Prajapati, Sinivali, Saraswati and the Ashwinis helps in the formation and maintenance of embryo (Garbha). According to Rigavead the Sukhprasava of Vaghrimati has done by Ashwini Kumara.

Yajurveda

It explains more about fetal development. According to Yajurveda the fetal development stages are Kalala, Budbuda, Pesi, Vita. Kalala is initial stage where the embryo is like a small bubble. Budbuda is described as next stage in which the embryo is like small round mass.


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Smirti M et al. Classical Approaches to Promote Natural Vaginal Birth

The next stage is Pesi, where the embryo takes more definite state with the formation of limb and organs. Vita is the final stage, where the fetus is fully formed and is ready to deliver.

Sukhprasava in Samhita Kala

Charaka Samhita

Acharya Charaka mentioned Sukhprasava in eighth Adhyaya of Sharira Sthana, Acc to Acharya Charaka the exact definition of Sukhprasava is “At the ideal time for birth, the head of the fetus gained and deported through the vaginal canal under the influence of Prasuti Maruta and the newborn is capable of self-survival. For Sukhprasava, Acharya Charaka has mentioned Anuvasana Basti and Yoni Pichu with oil prepared by Madhura Gana Dravyas from the 9th month of pregnancy.

Sutikagara (Accouchement ward)

In ancient time a new house used to be constructed for pre labor waiting, conduction of delivery and post-delivery monitoring named Sutikagara. Acc to Acharya Charaka Sutikagara for expectant women should be constructed before ninth month of pregnancy. The house should face east or north and be constructed with wood. Acharya Charaka has mentioned many essential items to store in labor ward for example Ghrita, Taila, honey etc.

Prasava Kala - from ninth to tenth month of pregnancy.

Sushruit Samhita

In Sharira Sthana tenth Adhyaya Acharya Sushrut has mentioned Sukhprasava. He has mentioned that Anuvasana Basti of oil treated with Madhura group drug decoction were used in the eighth month of pregnancy. Due to these factors Vayu moves in the proper direction, and the women gives birth without any problems.

Prasava Kala - from first day of nine months till twelfth month.

Astanga Sangraha

Acharya Vagabhat 1 explained Sukhprasava in the second chapter of Sharira Sthana. He recommended the use of Anuvasana Basti and Yoni Pichu in the third chapter of Sharira Sthana during the eighth and ninth months, using oil made from Madhura group herbs.

Astanga Hridaya

Acharya Vagabhat ll explained Sukhaprasava in Sharira Sthana first Adhyaya. He recommended the use of Anuvasana Basti and Yoni Pichu with the oil prepared with herbs of Madhura group in the ninth month.

Kashyap Samhita

Acharya Kashyap has mentioned Prasava Kala, Prasava Avastha, Lakshan and description of Aavi in first second and fifth Adhyaya of Sharira Sthana.

Harit Samhita

Acharya Harit has mentioned Garbhini Paricharya, and causes of onset of labour.

Bhela Samhita

In Sharira Sthana eight Adhyaya, Acharya Bhel has explained Sukhprasava, and mentioned that by the use of Anuvasana Basti with Kadamba Masa oil, delivery of child becomes normal.

Bhavprakash and Yogaratnakar

This text explores various forms of Yogas and Mantras for Sukhaprasava. Techniques that bring easy delivery: the root of Hiranyapushpi must be tied above limbs or extremities for Sukhprasava, roots of Paribhadra should be tied in waist, paste of Potaki Moola mixed with Tila oil kept inside vaginal canal brings Sukhprasava (easy delivery).

Discussion and Conclusion

The goal of all the pregnancies should be Sukhprasava (normal vaginal delivery). The integrated use of Anuvasana Basti and Yoni Pichu in the ninth month of pregnancy is a well-established Ayurvedic approach aimed at facilitating safe, smooth, and spontaneous labor.

By supporting Apana Vata and preparing the birth canal, these therapies help to reduce complications and enhance maternal comfort.

In Ayurveda, Anuvasana Basti (unctuous enema) and Yoni Pichu (vaginal tampon with medicated oil/ghee) are specialized Snehana (oleation) therapies advised during the ninth month of pregnancy to promote natural and uncomplicated labor. These interventions are deeply rooted in classical texts and Ayurvedic obstetric practice.


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Anuvasana Basti (Oil Enema) Pacifies Vata Dosha, especially Apana Vata which governs downward bodily functions like urination, defecation, menstruation, and childbirth. Locally it lubricates and softens pelvic tissues, enhances elasticity of the Garbhashaya Marga (uterine passage).(Charaka Samhita, Sharira Sthana 8/32; Ashtanga Hridaya, Sharira Sthana 2/47)

Yoni Pichu (Vaginal Tampon with Medicated Oil/Ghee) Purpose: Local Snehana and Shamana therapy to nourish and soften the Yoni Marga (vaginal canal) and Garbhashaya Mukha (cervix). It Moisturizes and strengthens the vaginal canal, it may facilitate cervical ripening, reduces perineal injury and local discomfort. (Ashtanga Hridaya, Sharira Sthana 2/48; Kashyapa Samhita, Khila Sthana)

Precautions

Must be administered under the supervision of a qualified Ayurvedic Obstetrician. It should be avoided in high-risk pregnancies, threatened preterm labor, suspected genital tract infections. (Charaka Samhita, Sharira Sthana-8; Bhavaprakash).

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