Meditation during pregnancy

Pregnancy is an exciting time in every woman’s life. A time of intense expectation. A time to rejoice, to welcome a new life into the world. It is also a time of overwhelming change which is happening at tremendous speed – physically, mentally, and emotionally. The baby transforms from a tiny cell into a fully developed little person while the mother experiences drastic developments – some interesting, some difficult to handle.  

As a mother, you will have to constantly adjust to, and cope with all the transitions you go through. These are beyond your control and may cause discomfort. Meditation comes to play a key role when tackling any difficulties that may arise during pregnancy. It can bring relief and help you accept the various stages of your pregnancy. Enabling you to flow through this beautiful phase of your life with ease. Helping you to enjoy the reality that a new life is blossoming inside of you.

Let’s take a look at the developments during each trimester of your pregnancy.

Trimester I

In Trimester I Your body is undergoing hormonal changes. You could experience morning sickness or heartburn. You could even feel dizzy at times. It is of great importance that you eat healthy, nutritious food and keep your “prana” or energy levels high. The fetus at this time is growing slowly. One of the first things to develop is the nervous system. This means that your baby’s brain, spinal cord, and nerves form during this stage. Hair, nails, eyes, vocal cords, and muscles also begin to take shape. 

The baby’s ears develop during the first trimester, and it’s a good idea to listen to chants or soft soothing music, such as that of the veena. This has a positive impact on the baby’s nervous system. 

Trimester II 

The baby at Trimester II can move inside the womb. It can even hiccup and yawn. You may feel butterfly sensations within. You may also have a lot of mood swings and experience emotional upheavals, primarily due to hormonal shifts in the body. You may feel the need for support from your near and dear ones at this point in time.

Trimester III 

Trimester III is the most challenging phase of your pregnancy. You may feel uncomfortable as you gain weight during this period. As the baby moves into position in preparation for labor, you may feel a stretch in the pelvic area and on the pubic bone. Your back may hurt and you may find that moving around gets a little cumbersome.

How does meditation help during pregnancy?

• Meditation initiates a healing process and aids in the overall well-being of the baby.
• Meditation is all about increasing the life force or prana in the body. During a time when you need a lot of energy for the growth of the baby, practicing meditation can prove to be very beneficial for both the mother and child.
• Meditation directly affects your diet. The body stops craving junk food. Awareness dawns, and you are able to make healthier food choices. This is vital for the proper nourishment of the baby.
• Mood swings and emotional upheavals are common during pregnancy. As the baby’s senses develop, it can sense every emotion that you undergo. It is very important that you stay happy, relaxed, and peaceful. Sahaj Samadhi Dhyana Yoga is especially good at this time, both for you and the baby. In fact, you can even meditate three to four times a day all through your pregnancy with the Sahaj mantra.
• Meditation relaxes your mind and helps you cope effectively at the emotional level. It is also an excellent way to relax your body. It can help release the pressure on the spinal cord so that you feel more comfortable during the last phase of your pregnancy.
• Hectic lifestyles have made hypertension and diabetes a common occurrence during pregnancy. Meditation can help deal with these issues so that the mother has a higher chance of natural delivery without complications.

Healthy pregnancy tips

• It is advisable that the mother engages in spiritual activity.
• Chanting, and listening to melodious music and knowledge talks will be very beneficial. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s talks are both enlightening and soothing.
• Avoid aggressive and violent situations. If you like watching movies, try to stay away from disturbing ones.

~ Inputs by Dr. Prema Bhat

For a happy pregnancy, it’s a good idea to meditate together with your loved ones; group practice always has a far greater impact. Meditation can help keep everyone relaxed and joyful. At the same time, it can keep you alert and aware during this delicate and crucial time of your life.

You can also try out a few yoga asanas (body postures) during the first two trimesters of your pregnancy. They can help you cope with pregnancy symptoms and also facilitate smoother delivery. Cat Pose, Triangle Pose, and Wind-Relieving Pose are a few examples. You can practice these yoga poses during pregnancy. However, make sure you consult your doctor before practicing any of these postures on your own.

A nutritious recipe for pregnant and lactating mothers

Ingredients:

Figs – 250 gms|Apricot – 250 gms|Black Dates – 250 gms|Almonds – 100 gms|
Pistachio (unsalted) – 100 gms|Cucumber Seeds – 100 gms|Sunflower Seeds – 100 gms|Pumpkin Seeds – 100 gms|Melon Seeds – 100 gms|Walnut – 100 gms| Chironji (Charoli) – 50 gms|Nutmeg – 3 no.|Cardamom – 25 gms|Kesar (Saffron) – 2 pinch

How to prepare: 

1. Finely chop figs, black dates, and apricot.
2. Grind almond, pistachio, cucumber, sunflower, pumpkin and melon seeds, walnut, chironji, cardamom, and nutmeg.
3. Mix everything, knead into a dough, and spread on a plate.
4. Cut into square pieces.

Every morning, eat one cube with a glass of warm milk