Sixth Month Development of Fetus According to Ayurveda: Different Texts, Different Opinions

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S

AIAPGET Points

Development of fetus in 6th month – Ayurveda

– Charaka Samhita – Garbhasya BALA VARNA UPACHAYAHA. Garbhini BALA VARNA HANIM Visheshena.

– Sushruta Samhita – BUDDHI is manifested in the baby.

– Ashtanga Hridaya – SNAYU ADI – Snayu, Sira, Roma, Bala, Varna, Nakha and Twak developed.

– Ashtanga Sangraha – KESHA ADI – Kesha, Roma, Nakha, Asthi, Snayu adi – are manifested. There is BALA VARNA UPACHAYA.

– Kashyapa Samhita – There is an increase of BALA, VARNA & OJAS in the baby. Mother experiences SHRAMA.

– Harita Samhita – SPHURANA of Garbha is experienced.

– Garbhopanishad – MUKHA, NASIKA, AKSHI & SHROTRA are clearly developed and manifested.

Modern Embryology

– Week 21 – LANUGO completely covers the baby. The SUCKING REFLEX is developing.

– Week 22 – EYEBROWS and HAIRS of the baby are visible. TESTES (in male babies) move down into the scrotum. The UTERUS and OVARIES are in place, VAGINA is developed (female baby). The baby is about 7 and a half inches (190 mm) in length and about 1 pound (460 gms) in weight.

– Week 23 – RAPID EYE MOVEMENTS occur. RIDGES are formed in the palms and soles. Lungs have started making SURFACTANT. The babies will be able to survive if born preterm.

– Week 24 – The SKIN of the baby is WRINKLED. The skin tends to have a pink or red tint due to flow of blood through blood vessels. The baby is about 8 ¼ inches (210 mm) in length and weighs about 1 ⅓ pounds (630 grams).

In this article we shall have a look at different opinions of different acharyas regarding the development of the fetus in the sixth month of pregnancy, in Ayurveda treatises.

Development of Fetus in the sixth month of pregnancy – Different Opinions of Different Acharyas in Different Treatises

Charaka Samhita

In the sixth month the pregnant woman loses her strength and color more than in other months, therefore the pregnant woman suffers from loss of strength and color especially.||22|| (Cha. Sha. 4/22).

Bala Varna Upachayaha – strength and complexion of the child are more enhanced in comparison to the other months of development.

Garbhini Bala Varna Hanimapadhyate – since there is enhancement of strength and complexion of the child, the pregnant woman loses her strength and complexion significantly.

Sushruta Samhita

In the sixth, intelligence.(Su. Sha. 3/29).

Buddhih – In the sixth month, the buddhi – intellect (cognition) comes in (is manifested).

Ashtanga Hridaya

In the sixth stage the muscles, head, hair, strength, color, nails and skin are affected. 57 ॥(A.H. Sha. 1/57).

The below mentioned structures are manifested in the sixth month of development of fetus –

– Snayu – ligaments/tendons

– Sira – blood vessels / veins

– Roma – body hairs,

– Bala – strength,

– Varna – complexion,

– Nakha – nails and

– Twak – skin

Ashtanga Sangraha

In the sixth house hair, hair, nails, bones, testicles and other organs are expressed, and strength and color are accumulated.(A.S. Sha. 2/13).

Below mentioned structures become manifested –

– Kesha – hairs

– Roma – body hairs

– Nakha – nails

– Asthi – bones

– Muscles – tendons/ligaments etc.

Bala Varna Upachaya – increase in strength and colour.

Kashyapa Samhita

There is increase in –

– Bala – strength

– Varna – complexion and

– Ojas – vital power, essence of all tissues

Shrama – the mother (pregnant woman) experiences more tiredness / exhaustion.

Harita Samhita

Sphurana – quivering of the fetus is experienced.

Garbhopanishad

The below mentioned structures are developed and manifest clearly –

– Mukha – mouth

– Nasika – nose

– Akshi – eyes

– Shrotra-ears

According to Modern Embryology

Development of fetus in sixth month of pregnancy

Week 21

Lanugo – Fine, downy hair called lanugo completely covers the baby, which helps to hold the vernix caseosa on to the baby’s skin.

The sucking reflex is developing and the baby is able to suck a thumb.

Week 22

Eyebrows and hairs of the baby are visible.

Testes have begun to move down into the scrotum in the male reproductive system.

The uterus and ovaries are in place and the vagina is developed in the female reproductive system.

Dimensions – About 7 ½ inches (190 mm) in length, from crown to rump.

Weight – about 1 pound (460 gms).

Week 23

Rapid eye movements happen in the baby.

Ridges are formed in the palms and soles. These will create a foundation for fingerprints and footprints.

Lungs of the child have started to make surfactant which allows the air sacs in the lungs to inflate. This would keep the lungs intact from collapsing and sticking together when they deflate.

The babies will this far be able to survive outside the uterus if they are born preterm.

Week 24

The skin of the baby is wrinkled and see-through.

The baby’s skin tends to have a pink or red tint. This happens due to the flow of blood through the blood vessels.

Dimension – about 8 ¼ inches (210 mm) from crown to rump.

Weight – more than 1 ⅓ pounds (630 grams).