Abnormal Movement Of Fetus – Garbha Chalana – Symptoms, Treatment

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

Garbha Chalana is a condition in which movement of fetus from its normal place takes place. Since treatment has been explained for this condition this is obviously not a normal fetal movement. In Ayurveda classics, month wise treatment of this condition has also been prescribed. This tells that the fetus moves from place to place or is inconsistently embedded in the womb and these abnormal movements or quivering may take place in each month.

Garbha = fetus / embryo
Chalana = to move / displacement
Read – Mudha Garbha – Obstructed Labor, Ayurveda Perspective

Introduction

The month wise treatment also suggests at constant approach which should be made by the physician in order to stabilize the fetus and prevent the abortion and this possibility should be considered and analyzed every month.

The treatment of garbha chalana every month and also different formulations in each month are for stabilizing the fetus from getting aborted.

This shows that Ayurveda masters had seen the possibility of abnormal movements of the fetus, quivering or threat for abortion over a period of pregnancy months and they should be handled with different formulations as prescribed accordingly.

The explanation of month wise treatment up to 8^th month of pregnancy shows that this condition possibly occurs only till 8^th month of pregnancy. If the fetus surpasses this duration, it will be normally delivered in the 9^th month.
Read – Monthly Development Of Fetus – Ayurvedic perspective

The above explanation shows that probably garbha chalana is a condition of threatened abortion or excessive quivering and the month wise treatment and formulations included therein are for handling these situations as and when they are diagnosed. The same treatment shall be adopted for treating garbha srava / garbha pata – i.e. abortions.

Treatment

A. General treatment for Garbh Chalan

One of the below mentioned formulations shall be given for treatment of excessive quivering of fetus or threatened abortions – 

Madhukadi Kalka – Paste of the below mentioned should be given mixed with sugar –

• Licorice
• Bisa – Nelumbo nucifera
• Mrunala – Nymphaea stellata
• Saffron of lotus

Ghanadi Kalka – paste of the below mentioned should be given mixed with sugar –

• Ghana – Cyperus rotundus
• Ativisha – Aconitum heterophyllum
• Aindra bija – seeds of Bacopa monnieri
• Ushira – Vetiveria zizanioides
• Nira

B. Month wise treatment

During 1^st month –

a. Madhukadi Kalka – Paste of the below mentioned should be given with milk –

• Licorice
• Mrdvika – Vitis vinifera
• Sandalwood
• Red variety of sandalwood

b. Nilotpaladi Kalka – Paste of the below mentioned should be given with milk –

• Nilotpala – Nymphaea alba
• Baala – Pavonia odorata / Valeriana wallichii
• Sringataka – Trapa bispinosa
• Kasheru – Scirpus grossus

During second month

a. Mrnaladi Kalka 1 – Paste of Mrnala – Nelumbo nucifera and Nagakesara – Mesua ferrea should be given mixed with milk.

b. Mrnaladi Kalka 2 – Below mentioned herbs should be pestled with goat’s milk and mixed with the same. This should be given for drinking –

• Mrnala – Nelumbo nucifera
• Nagakesara – Mesua ferrea
• Tagara – Valeriana wallichii
• Lotus
• Bilva – Aegle marmelos
• Camphor
  Read – Intrauterine Death Of Fetus In Ayurveda

During third month

The below mentioned formulations should be given to prevent expulsion of fetus and also to relieve pain –

a. Mushaka Kitta – pellets of rats with sugar should be given mixed in milk

b. The below mentioned should be ground in cold water, mixed with milk and given for drinking –

• Padmaka – Prunus cerasoides
• Sandalwood
• Balaka – Pavonia odorata / Balaka streptostachys
• Padma nala – Leaf stalk of Nelumbo nucifera
  Read – Untimely and Delayed Labor As Per Ayurveda (Garbha Sangha – Akala Prasava)

During fourth month

Below mentioned formulations shall be prescribed in presence of thirst, burning sensation, pain and fever associated with Garbha Chalana in 4^th month –

a. Ushiradi churna / kalka – Powder of paste of the below mentioned herbs should be given mixed with ghee, honey and curd –

• Ushira – Vetiveria zizanioides
• Sandalwood
• Nagakeshara – Mesua ferrea
• Dhataki Pushpa – flowers of Woodfordia fruticosa
• Sugar

b. Kadalyadi Kalka – paste of below mentioned should be given with milk –

• Kadali – plantain
• Utpala – Water Lily
• Balaka – Pavonia odorata / Balaka streptostachys

Fifth month

a. Dadimadi Kalka / churna – Paste of powder of pomegranate and sandalwood should be given mixed with curd and honey.

b. Nilotpaladi Kalka – paste of the below mentioned should be given with water –

• Nilotpala – Nymphaea alba
• Mrnala – Nelumbo nucifera
• Kaunti – Vitex agnus / Corchorus trilocularis
• Kesara – Mesua ferrea
• Padmaka – Prunus cerasoides
  Read – Herbs Useful For Maintenance Of Pregnancy

Sixth month

Water boiled with Gairika – red ochre, black clay and ash of cow dung, cooled and mixed with powder / paste of sandalwood and sugar should be prescribed.

Seventh month

Ushiradi churna / kalka – Powder or paste of the below mentioned should be given mixed with water and honey –

• Ushira – Vetiveria zizanioides
• Gokshura – Tribulus terrestris
• Ghana – Cyperus rotundus
• Samanga – Mimosa pudica
• Nagakeshara – Mesua ferrea
• Padmaka – Prunus cerasoides

Eighth Month

Lodhradi Churna – Powder of Lodhra – Symplocos racemosa and Magadhika – Piper longum mixed with honey and milk shall be prescribed.

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