Ayurveda management as an adjunct to standard antenatal care in increased uterine artery resistance in pregnancy: An observation

Uterine Artery Resistance (UAR) refers to the impedance to blood flow in the uterine arteries, which supply the placenta. Increased UAR poses a risk to placental perfusion and fetal development, necessitating close monitoring and management due to its high-risk implications. If left untreated, it may lead to severe complications such as intrauterine fetal death, intrauterine growth retardation, and preterm delivery. UAR can be considered as a prodromal stage of Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR) or Garbhashosha (~fetal emaciation) as mentioned in Ayurveda classics, based on the key characteristic features of Garbhaposhana vaigunya (~impaired fetal nourishment), Jarayu dosha (~defective placental support), inadequate supply of Rasa (~primary product of digested food) and Rakta dhatu (~blood tissue) to the fetus, and the potential progression toward restricted fetal growth. The condition requires timely interventions with Vata shamana (~pacifying Vata dosha ), Brimhana (~nourishing), Balya (~strength, stamina, and immunity promoter), and Garbhasthapana (~substances which help in sustenance of fetus) medicines, along with stress management through Pranayama (~breathing exercise) and meditation. A 33-year-old multigravida visited the outpatient department with a complaint of increased UAR with elevated mean pulsatility index on routine Doppler ultrasonography at 13 weeks of gestation. Although the patient was asymptomatic, however, anxious about the possible complications with her pregnancy, led her to seek Ayurveda as an add-on management with the ongoing allopathic intervention. The patient was provided an Ayurveda treatment protocol including stress management through Pranayama and meditation, to prevent further increase in UAR, FGR, and to promote optimal fetal growth. The patient delivered a healthy female baby with 2.92 kg birth weight at full term through normal vaginal delivery. Thus, it can be inferred that integrative Ayurveda management as an adjunct to standard antenatal care shows potential in preventing the progression of placental insufficiency-related complications by improving fetal growth and enhancing uterine blood flow.