New Delhi/Mangalore

Lifestyle disorders, infertility and pregnancy-related complications are prompting greater attention to pre-conception care, with experts saying preparing prospective parents physically and mentally before pregnancy can improve reproductive and birth outcomes.

While modern medicine has increasingly emphasised this approach in recent years, Ayurveda has advocated a similar concept for centuries through ‘Garbhadana Samskara’, a pre-conception care programme, practitioners say.

The SDM College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Udupi, Karnataka, is one of the centres that has been offering Garbhadana Samskara as part of its ayurvedic pre-conception care programme for several years, attracting couples from different parts of south India seeking guidance before planning pregnancy.

According to Dr Mamatha K V, principal and senior obstetrician at the SDM College of Ayurveda, the programme focuses on optimising the health of both prospective parents through personalised ayurvedic interventions, dietary modifications, lifestyle measures and counselling before conception.

She described Garbhadana Samskara as the “conscious preparation for conception”, addressing the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of the prospective parents before pregnancy.

“The word ‘Garbha’ means embryo and ‘Adana’ means establishment. Together, Garbhadana refers to the conscious preparation for conception. The term ‘Samskara’ implies that conception is not merely a biological event but a sacred rite of preparation and refinement of prospective parents physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, so that they can give their child the healthiest possible beginning,” Mamatha told PTI.

Although the concept was described thousands of years ago, Ayurveda considers it highly relevant today as lifestyle-related disorders affecting fertility and pregnancy outcomes continue to increase.

According to Ayurveda, successful conception depends on four essential factors – ‘Ritu’ (the appropriate season or reproductive age), ‘Kshetra’ (a healthy field, represented by the female reproductive system), ‘Ambu’ (adequate nourishment, comparable to the water that sustains growth) and ‘Bija’ (healthy seed, represented by the egg and sperm).

Drawing from the ancient philosophical principle of “Yatha Pinde Tatha Brahmande”, Ayurveda compares conception to cultivating a healthy plant, Mamatha, a senior obstetrician and gynaecologist in the Department of Prasuti Tantra Evam Stree Roga at the institute, said.

“Just as a good harvest requires the right season, fertile land, sufficient water and healthy seeds, healthy progeny is believed to result when these four factors are in their ideal state before conception," she said.

Ayurveda explains that Garbhadana Samskara aims to optimise all these factors before conception, thereby strengthening the foundation for a healthy pregnancy and healthy child.

This is why Garbhadana Samskara is regarded as the first among the sixteen Samskaras, marking the beginning of human life, she said.

The growing importance of pre-conception health is also reflected in modern scientific literature.

The World Health Organization estimates that around one in six people globally experience infertility during their lifetime.

Research published in The Lancet and Human Reproduction has highlighted that optimising maternal health, nutrition, body weight and management of chronic conditions before pregnancy can improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Women with conditions such as polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD), obesity, diabetes and thyroid disorders face an increased risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth and caesarean delivery, Dr Pavithra Pai, assistant professor in the Department of Prasuti Tantra Evam Stree Roga, said.

Babies born to mothers with PCOD may also have a higher likelihood of abnormal fetal growth, neonatal hypoglycaemia and admission to intensive care, Pai highlighted.

Illustrating the holistic approach, Mamatha cited the case of a 33-year-old IT professional from Bengaluru, Ananya (name changed to protect her identity), who had PCOD, hypothyroidism, a uterine fibroid and a history of miscarriage.

“Instead of focusing only on conceiving, she chose to prepare herself first,” Mamatha said.

Beginning in February, Ananya underwent three treatment cycles of Garbhadana Samskara under ayurvedic guidance aimed at improving her overall reproductive health before attempting conception. A few months later, she conceived naturally.

Despite the recognised risks associated with PCOD, her pregnancy progressed smoothly. She described those nine months as healthy, peaceful and uneventful. Regular antenatal check-ups showed satisfactory fetal growth, and both mother and baby remained healthy throughout the pregnancy without significant maternal or fetal complications.

In August 2025, she delivered a healthy boy weighing 3.2 kg through a normal vaginal delivery.

Pai emphasised that every pregnancy is unique and that no system of medicine can guarantee specific outcomes.

“Modern medicine increasingly emphasises the importance of pre-conception care to improve the outcomes for both mother and the baby. Interestingly, this principle has been part of Ayurveda for centuries through Garbhadana Samskara.

“Preparing prospective parents before conception may contribute to better reproductive health and support a healthier pregnancy journey," Dr Ramadevi G, assistant professor in the Department of Prasuti Tantra Evam Stree Roga, said.

Ayurveda advocates Garbhadana Samskara as a holistic approach that complements routine medical care and regular antenatal monitoring.

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“This story reminds us that the path to parenthood begins not at conception but with intention, preparation and care. As lifestyle-related health conditions continue to rise, the timeless principles of Garbhadana Samskara offer an important perspective: nurturing the next generation begins by nurturing ourselves first,” she said.