Hypertension and Pregnancy: Ayurveda's Path to Health

Pregnancy is a transformative journey that brings joy, excitement, and challenges. Among these challenges, pregnancy-induced hypertension affects nearly 10% of pregnant women and poses risks to both maternal and fetal health. How can Ayurveda, with its ancient wisdom and holistic approach, help prevent and manage this condition?

In this blog, we explore how Ayurveda offers a safe and effective pathway to a healthy pregnancy and labor. Read on to discover valuable insights and actionable tips for managing hypertension during pregnancy with Ayurveda.

Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is categorized into three types:

• Gestational Hypertension: This occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy and is marked by elevated blood pressure without other complications.
• Pre-eclampsia: A more severe form that can include protein in the urine, swelling, and high blood pressure.
• Eclampsia: The most critical stage, involving seizures and potentially life-threatening complications for both mother and baby.

Early detection and timely intervention are essential for ensuring the health and safety of both mother and child.

Ayurveda refers to pregnancy-induced hypertension as  "Garbhajanya Ucha rakta chaapa" (pregnancy-related disorders).  In Ayurveda, Pregnancy-induced hypertension is seen as a Rakthapradoshaja vikara or the disorders of the blood. The imbalance in the three doshas bought by pregnancy causes this condition. According to the principles of Ayurveda:

• An increase in Vyana Vata dosha (vata that is responsible for blood circulation) can lead to Bala kshaya( fatigue) stress and anxiety, thereby affecting blood pressure regulation.
• An excess of Kapha dosha may contribute to low agni (digestive fire), and cause avarana (blockage of the body channels).
• An imbalance in Pitta dosha can lead to inflammation and heat in the body, exacerbating hypertension.

The causes of this imbalance are also explained well in Ayurveda. Let’s find out more about it

Ayurveda identifies Garbha upadarvas- various dietary, lifestyle, and psychological factors as potential causes of pregnancy-induced hypertension:

• Aaharaja Nidana or Dietary Imbalances:
  • High salt intake (ati lavana), excess intake of sour foods (ati amla)  or excessive consumption of spicy foods (ati katu) can lead to Raktadushti (blood impurities).
  • Excess consumption of unctuous foods( Snigdha aahara), and heavy foods (Guru ahara) are also causative factors for Garbhajanya vishamayata.
• Vihaaraja Nidana or Lifestyle Factors: Sedentary behaviour (Alpa vyayama) and unhealthy resting practices like sleeping soon after a meal (Bhukta divasvapna) can be risk factors for developing imbalances of Kapha dosha, which in turn block the body channels and induce hypertension.
• Maanasika Nidana or psychological factors: Emotional disturbances leading to stress and anxiety can aggravate Vata imbalances.

In addition, Ayurveda also recognises the role of family history as well as previous pregnancies with hypertension as risk factors for Garbhajanya Vishamayata.

Being aware of these factors can help you make timely decisions and prevent diseases. Ayurveda also has a foolproof management strategy to deal with this condition. Read all about it in the next sections:

1. Prevention Through Preconception Care

Ayurveda care begins months before pregnancy. It aims at preparing the womens body to have a healthy pregnancy.

• Ayurveda mentions in detail about preconception care. This involves many structured therapies and guidelines. Preconception care through Panchakarma (detoxification) helps balance doshas before conception and will help you prevent any complications associated with pregnancy.
• Apart from panchakarma procedures, Ayurveda preconception care includes the consumption of Rasayana formulations, that include herbs like Ashwagandha and Shatavari, which strengthen maternal health.

2. Antenatal Care with Garbhini Paricharya

• Garbhini Paricharya, the Ayurveda pregnancy regimen, provides month-wise dietary and lifestyle recommendations to support fetal growth and maternal health. This healthy diet and regimens will ensure a complication-free pregnancy, and specifically, it can manage pregnancy-induced hypertension through:
• Medicated Ghee Preparation (herbal ghee): Helps reduce oedema with mild diuretic effects associated with pregnancy-induced hypertension. Consume such medications only under an Ayurveda doctor’s supervision.
• Masanumasika Chikitsa (monthly regimen): This regimen supports physical and emotional changes during pregnancy. It helps your body adapt to the changes associated with pregnancy and ensures your health and that of your baby.

3. Aahara or Dietary Practices

• Avoid excessively spicy, salty, or oily foods, which aggravate Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
• Intake of more Dravapradhana aahara (liquid diets). Consume water medicated with suitable herbs. Connect with our experts for proper instructions.

4. Vihara Or Lifestyle Modifications

• Ayurveda advises avoiding certain practices like sleeping after having a meal and sedentary lifestyle to decrease the risk of hypertension during pregnancy.
• Proper sleep at night is also crucial for Vata balance. Daytime sleep can disrupt the Kapha balance, too. Ensure proper and sound sleep at night.
• Engage in gentle yoga and Pranayama (breathing exercises) to improve circulation and reduce stress. (To know more about it, read our blog link)

5. Ayurveda medicines

• Ayurveda doctors will prescribe effective and clinically proven Ayurveda medicines that can help manage your high blood pressure levels. Consult with our experienced team of doctors. They will prescribe you safe and effective Ayurveda medicinal formulations suited for your health condition.
  Ayurveda can help you manage high blood pressure during pregnancy and can also help prevent high blood pressure that happens because of pregnancy.

1. Previous history of pregnancy-induced hypertension: Ayurveda, through its Garbhasthapaka dravyas (medicines to sustain pregnancy term and through rasayanas (rejuvenation therapies) can provide excellent solutions to prevent hypertension.
2. Natural and effective: Ayurveda uses dietary, lifestyle, and safe and effective medicinal interventions that yield results.
   Personalised Care: Treatments are tailored to the individual's Prakriti (constitution) and imbalances.
3. Emphasis on Prevention: Through Garbhini Paricharya, Ayurveda helps prevent complications before they arise.

When it comes to managing high blood pressure during pregnancy, Ayurveda offers a holistic approach that goes beyond simply addressing the signs and symptoms. It focuses on restoring balance within the individual, which helps prevent complications for both mother and baby. Ayurveda’s time-honoured practices—such as diet adjustments, lifestyle changes, and medicinal remedies—work synergistically to maintain health and well-being.

This is where Apollo AyurVAID stands out. With an in-depth understanding of Ayurveda principles and vast experience, we are committed to providing exceptional care. At Apollo AyurVAID, you can benefit from expert-guided detox therapies and holistic practices tailored to support both you and your baby during this critical time.

Let Apollo AyurVAID be your trusted partner in ensuring a healthy and fulfilling pregnancy. Prioritize your well-being and your child’s health today!