Fifth 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 5th month – Ayurveda

– Charaka Samhita – ADHIKA MAMSA SHONITA UPACHAYA in garbha & VISHESHA KARSHYAM in garbhini.

– Sushruta Samhita – MANAH PRATIBUDDHATARAM – mind of the fetus becomes more active and awakened.

– Ashtanga Hridaya – CHETANA PRATIBUDDHAM BHAVATI – consciousness becomes active (clearly manifested).

– Ashtanga Sangraha – Manah Pratibuddhataram Bhavati, Mamsa Shonita Upachayah

– Kashyapa Samhita – mamsa-shonita-vriddhi, GARBHAM-SUJIVAH, krshata (emaciation of mother, pregnant woman)

– Harita Samhita – SUJIVA – the fetus becomes lively.

– Garbhopanishad – strengthening of the BACKBONE takes place.

Modern Embryology

– Week 17 – development of TOENAILS, baby becomes MORE ACTIVE, rolls and flips. The BABY’s HICCUPS are felt, causing small JERKING MOVEMENTS of the baby.

– Week 19 – The baby’s ears stand out on the head and the baby HEARS sounds. The DIGESTIVE SYSTEM of the baby has started to work. The baby is about 5 1 / 2 inches (140 mm) and weighs about 7 ounces (200 gms).

– Week 19 – GROWTH of the baby SLOWS DOWN, VERNIX CASEOSA starts to cover the baby’s body, the baby starts URINATING and this urine forms the bulk of amniotic fluid.

– Week 20 – QUICKENING (baby’s movements) are felt, the baby is regularly SLEEPING & WAKING, might be awakened by the noises and movements of mother. The baby measures about 6 1 / 3 inches (160mm) and weighs about 11 ounces (320 grams).

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

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

Charaka Samhita

In the fifth month there is a digestion of meat and blood for the pregnancy for more than other months, therefore the pregnant woman is especially drawn.||21|| CHA.SHA.4/2

Adhika Mamsa Shonita Upachaya – excessive enrichment / increase of muscles and blood in the foetus in comparison to the other months of fetal development.

Visheshena Karshyam – the pregnant women especially becomes emaciated.

Sushruta Samhita

In the fifth, the mind becomes more awake.(Su. Sha. 3/30).

Manah Pratibuddhataram Bhavati – The mind of the fetus becomes more active and awakened.

Ashtanga Hridaya

and in the fifth of the consciousness. (A.H. Sha. 1/57).

Chetanascha – the chetana i.e. consciousness / life activity becomes clearly manifested (active).

Ashtanga Sangraha

In the fifth, the mind is more awakened and the accumulation of flesh and blood. (A.S. Sha. 2/13).

Manah Pratibuddhataram Bhavati – the mind of the fetus becomes more active and awakened.

Mamsa Shonita Upachayascha – increase (nourishment / enrichment) of muscles and blood.

Kashyapa Samhita (Ka.Sam.Sha.St)

Mamsa Shonita Vriddhi – growth (enrichment) of muscles and blood

Garbham Sujivah – foetus becomes lively

Krshata – pregnant woman becomes thin / emaciated

Harita Samhita

Garbha becomes Sujiva – the fetus becomes lively.

Garbhopanishad

Prishtavamsha – the backbone becomes strong.

According to Modern Embryology

Development of fetus in fifth month of pregnancy

Week 17

Toenails develop.

The baby becomes more active. It rolls and flips.

Hiccuping of the baby may be felt. This would cause small jerking movements.

Week 18

– The ears of the baby begin to stand out on the head.

– The baby hears sounds.

– Working of the digestive system in the baby has begun.

– Dimension – about 5 and half inches (140 millimeters) from crown to rump.

– Weight of the baby – 7 ounces (200 grams).

Week 19

The growth of the baby slows down.

Vernix caseosa (a greasy, cheese-like coating) starts to cover the body of the baby. It protects the delicate skin of the baby from scrapes, chapping and hardening (due to the effect of contact with amniotic fluid).

The baby has started urinating. The urine makes for most of the amniotic fluid.

Week 20

Quickening – baby’s movements are felt.

The baby is regularly sleeping and waking. It might be awakened by the noises or mother’s movements.

Dimensions – about 6 1 / 3 inches (160 mm) from crown to rump.

Weight – about 11 ounces (320 grams).