Definition: Recurrent abortion or pregnancy loss is defined as two or more consecutive loss of pregnancy. Infertility in the woman – along with many other reasons - may also be due to recurrent abortion within the first few weeks, and may go unnoticed, since the bleeding occurs at the time of the next expected period.
Causes of Recurrent Abortions: 1) Anatomic defects such as unicornuate or bicornuate uterus, and the presence of fibroids 2) Genetic problems, which are usually the commonest cause of recurrent abortions 3) Hormonal abnormalities, which are most common in PCOS 4) Immunological factors 5) Heamatological problems such as intensive angiogenesis, coagulation or fibrinolysis 6) Infectious agents like toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpes and 7) Environmental effects like obesity, low weight, intake of caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and recreational drugs, stress, diseases of kidney, liver and autoimmune disorders, and the use of medications like NSAIDs and aspirin.
Conventional Treatment of Recurrent Abortions: This consists of 1) Reassurance and 2) Treating the known cause. Treatment includes a) medications like Heparin, Metformin, Progesterone, HCG hormone, immunotherapy, and b) surgery for incompetent os and fibroids 3) Avoidance of smoking, alcohol, and recreational drugs and 4) taking a well-balanced, nutritional diet. The overall results and success rate with this approach is however, not very impressive.
In this scenario, it would be worthwhile to consider the Ayurvedic herbal treatment for this condition.
Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Recurrent Abortions: In Ayurvedic texts, abortion before the fourth month is mentioned as Garbhastraav, while beyond this period, it is known as Garbhapaat. Ayurveda also mentions habitual abortions with terms like Apraja, Putraghni Yoni, and Jataharini.
In Ayurvedic treatment too, the principle of treatment is to treat the known cause. While surgery can take care of causes amenable to surgery, the medical treatment, for the remaining causes, is divided into two main categories:
1) Ayurvedic Treatment to Achieve Pregnancy/Conception: This includes herbs like Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Laghu Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum), Bruhat Kantakari (Solanum indicum), Pippali (Piper longum), Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), Bharangmul (Clerodendron serratum), Dadim Patra (Punica granatum), Usheer (Andropagan muricatum), Rasna (Vanda Roxburghi), and Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia).
These medicines have antiviral and antimicrobial actions, are immune modulators, combat immune complexes, correct oxidative damage at the placental level, and promote pregnancy.
2) Ayurvedic Treatment to Maintain Pregnancy and Avoid Complications: This includes herbs like Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Vidari (Ipomea digitata), Shrungatak (Trapa bispinosa), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), and Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris).
These medicines provide essential nutrients and immune modulation, have excellent anti oxidant properties, and improve the birth weight of the foetus.
Garbhapal Ras is a traditional Ayurvedic medicine known to similarly provide nutrients and help maintain a healthy foetus to full term. Likewise, a group of medicines known as Laghu Malini Vasant, Madhu Malini Vasant, and Suvarna Malini Vasant are known to nourish all seven tissues of the body as per Ayurvedic physiology, and are considered useful in nourishing the foetus and stabilizing pregnancy.
Ayurvedic texts also mention Masanumasik Garbhini Paricharya; this includes information pertaining to a) The diet for each month of pregnancy b) The do’s and don’ts for each month of pregnancy and c) specific treatment for each month of pregnancy. This includes a separate group of herbs to be given at each month of pregnancy to provide nutrition as per the month-wise growth of the foetus, and to prevent foetal anomalies and accidents. These medicines can be taken in the form of powder, paste, decoction or medicated ghee.
A Pertinent Observation: Ayurveda has an established and safe system of treatment for infertility and recurrent abortions; the treatment procedure is safe and tried and tested for decades. It is rather unfortunate that a sizeable population of childless couples all over the world, including health professionals, go through their entire lives without experiencing the joys and wonders of conception and parenthood, simply because they are totally unaware of this System of AYURVEDA, and the immense potential it has in the treatment of infertility and recurrent reproductive/conception loss.