Physiological Aspect Of Prasav(delivery) W.S.R. To Parturition

Abstract

Parturition or labor is a physiological event involving a subsequential, integrated set of changes within  the myometrium, decidua, and uterine cervix that occur gradually over a period of days to weeks. To  proceed uterine contraction & dilatation of cervix, cervix shows biochemical connective tissue changes,  and all these occurs usually before fetal membrane’s rupture. So it can be said that the process of  confinement or delivery of fully matured fetus, on completion of normal pregnancy period is called  parturition. Ancient ayurvedic texts given detail of every step of process of birth, with month wise growth  description and parturition. In ayurvedic context (in shaarir sthan, acharya charak and sushrut both)  explained about the period of delivery (prasav kaal), process of delivery, various symptoms just prior to  delivery (prajayani), different stages of labor, concept of involuntary (aavi) and voluntary (pravahan)  contractions. Ancient acharyas also explained different methods to induce smooth labor and resolve  complication like obstructing labor (garbhasangha). In this review article Different physiological aspects  of parturition are explained according to ayurvedic and modern context.