Abstract

SUTIKA PARICHARYA- POST NATAL CARE IN AYURVEDA

Anju Sangwan*

Abstract

Ayurveda is the oldest science of life is well known for its curative and preventive potential. Ayurveda give importance to the care of woman at every stage of life specially during rajasvala (during menstruation), garbhini (during pregnancy) and sutika(during puerperium). Post natal period also called as puerperium is the period begin from expulsion of placenta up to the six weeks. In Ayurveda puerperal period is called sutika kala and postnatal care is named as sutika paricharya is well described in Ayurveda classics. Sutika is more prone to disease due to loss of blood and other important dhatus. In puerperium many complication can occur as it is said in Ayurveda about 74 types of disease can happen in this period if not managed properly. So it is essential for the mother to gain physical mental, emotional and spiritual health by proper management of sutikakala. This paper highlights on various major components of sutika paricharya such as ahara (normal diet) vihara (normal routine in puerperium) and asavasana (psychological reassurance) etc.

Keywords: Garbhini, Sutika, Sutikakala, Puerperium.