Therapeutic Potential of Yashtimadvadi Ksheerapaka Basti in Managing Oligohydromnios - A Case Report

The fetus is surrounded by Garbhodaka (amniotic fluid), essential for musculoskeletal development, gastrointestinal and lung maturation, and protection from umbilical cord compression. Abnormalities in its volume, especially oligohydramnios, are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and may indicate placental or fetal complications. Ayurveda describes therapeutic interventions to manage such pathological conditions effectively. The oligohydramnios case discussed here correlates with Upavishtaka, it is a condition in which there is reduced abdominal girth and fetus suffers from shoṣha, failing to reach its expected biological potential and weight gain. In this case, a 30-year-old patient at 32 weeks and 1 day of gestation presented with mild oligohydramnios (AFI of 7.3 cm) and two loose loops of cord around fetal neck. To address this depletion of Garbhodaka (amniotic fluid), Ayurvedic management was initiated using Brimhanaprinciples. Treatment focused on Ksheerapaka basti (medicated milk enema) containing Soumya and Sheeta dravya, specifically Yashtimadhu, Bala, Shatawari and Gokshura. This intervention resulted in a significant improvement within 14 days, increasing the AFI to an adequate 11.5 cm and the patient delivered a healthy baby vaginally with spontaneous labour pains at POG 39 weeks (by LMP). No sign of fetal distress was seen during labour.