Emerging potential of Matra Basti in facilitating engagement of fetal vertex in primigravidae: A case series

Abstract Although the association between fetal head engagement and normal vaginal delivery is debated, reports indicate that nulliparous women with an unengaged fetal head at term are more likely to require a cesarean section. Acknowledging that engagement is the first step in the mechanism of labor, it is clear that labor cannot progress without passing through the engagement phase. The aim and objective of this study are to evaluate the role of Matra Basti in the engagement of fetal vertex in primigravidae women. A prospective case study was carried out with five primigravidae women who presented at a gestational age of 34 weeks or more with a floating fetal vertex, with five-fifths to four-fifths part of the fetal head palpable above the pelvic brim, and who met the inclusion criteria. The cephalic presentation was confirmed with recent ultrasound findings, while the engagement of the vertex was assessed clinically by abdominal in fifths. Matra Basti with Shudha Bala ( Sida cordifolia Linn.) Taila was administered to the five enrolled cases after the completion of 35 weeks of gestation, as per protocol. All five cases showed fetal head engagement following the administration of a minimum of one to a maximum of three sittings (average of 2) of Matra Basti at an average gestational age of 37 weeks. All the cases resulted in uneventful vaginal deliveries without any intrapartum or postpartum feto-maternal complications. The present study offered a favorable outcome in terms of engagement of the fetal vertex and subsequent uneventful vaginal delivery, suggesting the potential of Matra Basti in facilitating the engagement of an unengaged vertex in primigravidae.