MASSAGE OF PREGNANT WOMEN
AND OF CHILDREN
Ayurveda is the science of
life. It considers life processes in all its aspects right from conception to the death of an individual person. Rather
than cure it stresses upon the preventive aspect of medical science and hence
you will find detailed information upon the daily regimen to be followed by all
individuals. However it is evident that
all the processes explained therein need to be further refined and adjusted
according to the individual need of each person. One such category, which
requires separate and special attention, is that of pregnant women and of
children. Ayurveda consists of eight specialized fields one of which is called
as “kaumar-bhritya”. This field concentrates on matters concerning children and
deals with all the processes to be done right from conception to the birth of
the child and thereafter in order to ensure a strong and healthy progeny. Also in the fields dealing
with medicine special reference regarding the maintenance of the health of
women and the treatment of their diseases in all stages of life is found.
Evidently one of this stage is that of a pregnant women. Unfortunately due to
unavailability of authentic texts relating to this fields and also due to the fact
that whatever references are found are scattered over various texts it is
impossible to find all the references at one point only. However over the years the
traditions which were followed in the rural parts of India have helped preserve
the practical aspect of this field to retain the unique features of this
science which can be said to have sprung originally from the practices which
were followed at that time and which were textualised in these ancient texts. In this part we will be
dealing with one part of daily regimen mentioned in the texts namely “abhyang” which can be loosely translated as
massage. While mentioning the
qualities of a good massage it has been said - “Massage (rubbing with oil) should be done on a daily basis. It
relieves physical strain, improves eyesight (is beneficial for the sensory
organs) and is useful in having a good and healthy skin. Besides it also
nourishes the body and ensures sound sleep and a long life (it wards off old
age).” It is evident that if one
performs massage daily he will reap all the benefits mentioned above. However
this description is that of a general massage and it is evident that the person
who is expected to undertake this massage is a normal healthy individual. It has to be kept in mind
that massage is not only a simple procedure in which oil is smeared all over
the body and rubbed for a little while. The process of massage in which the oil
is expected to penetrate the body evidently produces a little amount of heat in
the body, which is also contributory in obtaining some of the qualities of
massage mentioned above. Also a mild irritation of the body parts not only
external but also internal is expected. In such case the question arises
whether the massage procedure which is performed on a normal individual could
be performed on a pregnant woman. Ayurveda considers that for
the first three months after conception the foetus is a jelly like formation
devoid of any solid matter. Hence it is very feeble and unable to undertake any
type of shock or irritation or face sudden changes in environment. Therefore
the woman is advised complete rest and is not expected to perform any type of
work that will cause a physical or mental strain and to avoid extremes of any
kind. For e.g. eating very hot food or very cold food, taking bath with very
hot or very cold water etc. In such a case even the gentle massage which
produces many a benefits in the normal individual will prove harmful to the
health of the woman and child. Also as the pregnancy
progresses as various parts of the body are being formed it is necessary that
besides the internal nourishment provided by the food intake, external
nourishment corresponding to the formation of various organs (according to
ayurvedic texts) should also be provided. One of the procedures that
can be followed in such case is that of massage (after initial 3 months). In
such case care has to be that while providing the external nourishment no harm
should befall the foetus. Also massage procedures can be beneficial in easing
the pre-natal and post-natal pain experienced by the women. After birth both
mother and child are exhausted by the process of labour. In such case massage
provides instant physical and to some extent mental relief to both mother and
child. However the process of massage cannot be performed in isolation and has
to be done as a part of well-planned procedure the description of which is
found in ayurvedic texts and also in the traditional practices of vaidyas
(doctors) and dais (mid-wives) over the ages. It is evident from the
description above that the massage procedure to be followed in the case of
pregnant women and of children though conceptually similar is practically very
different and must be performed with utmost care. In our lecture we will
primarily deal with the massage procedure to be followed and also briefly the
other procedures, which are to be followed in order to, get a holistic view of
the entire process. For better understanding we
will divide this description in to the following parts:
1. BEFORE CONCEPTION This is for both men and
women. Massage as a part of daily regimen is recommended not only to obtain the
regular benefits of massage but also as a nourishment for all the dhatus of the
body which is one of the requirement for a healthy progeny. Massage if done
properly and regularly ensures the good health of both mother and father which
in turn ensures a good progeny. Oils that increase strength (balya) should be
used for this purpose. In fact in the ritual to be followed by husband and wife
desirous of a healthy child consists of massage both for the man and woman.
Also having regular massage tones up the body and makes it ready to bear all
the pains and strains both mental and physical, which are caused by pregnancy
and labour. This massage being a part of daily regimen requires no particular
caution except that it should be done in a proper manner and done regularly. 2. AFTER CONCEPTION – TILL 3 MONTHS As explained before after
conception up-to 3 months the foetus is a jelly like substance that is devoid
of any solid matter and hence is in a very feeble and unstable state. In such a
case even a gentle massage might sometimes cause termination of pregnancy
especially if done by an in-experienced person. Hence according to ayurveda,
any action, which may cause even a small amount of physical or mental strain,
is to be totally avoided. However there is a point of view that in such
condition a mild massage of some vital points (marmas) in the body especially
in the limb areas (soles and palms) might prove beneficial. Ayurveda believes that both
mother and child are inter-connected and whatever affects the mother affects
the child also .In ayurvedic texts this fact is used to stress that if the
mother undergoes a physical strain over some part of the body the foetus also
undergoes the strain over the same part of the body. Alternatively this means
that if some beneficial action is performed over a part of the mothers body the
foetus will also experience the same benefit. Hence for the first three months
though the foetus might not be well developed to apply the above theory we can
say that whatever benefit is obtained by gently massaging the vital points for
the mother, the foetus will also receive the same benefit. This theory holds
well during the rest of the pregnancy period especially when the formation of
organs begins to get well defined. 3. FROM 4 MONTHS UP TO LABOUR Ayurveda believes that the
heart is formed in the fourth month and this is the period when the foetus
starts becoming stable. Various rituals and functions are performed at this
stage, which concentrate on improving the health especially the mental health
of the woman. In such case mild massage is beneficial. However it should be done
with utmost care especially in the abdominal region. Also more than massage
processes which provide oleation (snehan) to various parts of the body are
stressed upon.
As this procedures are to be
performed on the pregnant women they should be done with utmost care and their
main objective should be to provide the body with oleation and the reproductive
organs with lubrication in order to minimize the pains of labour and to ensure
a smooth and natural delivery. 4. DURING LABOUR In the first part of labour full body (gentle) massage is given followed by hot water bath. This cleanses the body and the reproductive organs, tones up the muscles and helps lessen the pains of labour. During the second stage the woman is made to lie down with folded knees. Thereafter massage/oleation should be performed in the region below the umbilicus. The massage should consist of downward strokes. Also very mild massage in the downward direction should be performed on the vaginal opening, especially when the foetus is being pushed downward, oil should be applied on the vaginal opening to expand it. 5.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER
LABOUR For the mother :-
Immediately after labour after the placenta has come out completely
the vagina should be mildly massaged. After that she should be given a general
massage with oil, especially the abdominal region should be massaged well so
that there is no complication on account of the sudden contraction of the
uterus. After the massage the abdominal region should be tightly wound up with
a cloth. Also a bath with hot water is recommended. This procedure should be
followed for 2 to 7 days without fail and continued for 40 days. For the child :- The child should be gently but firmly applied a mixture of ghee
and salt in order to remove the stickiness of the meconium. After that it
should be massaged gently with oil. Next the umbilical cord should be firmly
tied and should be covered with an oil pad. A bath with hot water prepared by
immersing heated gold or silver utensils in water is then to be given. For good
results the procedure of massage and bath should be performed for at least a
year. |