Abstract

GURUGATRATVA AND MATERNAL–FETAL ADAPTATION: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF ANATOMICO-PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES DURING THE FOURTH MONTH OF PREGNANCY IN GARBHINI

Dr. Ranapariya Radhika Dineshbhai*, Dr. Divya Nidhi

Abstract

Background: Ayurveda describes the fourth month of pregnancy as the stage of Garbha Sthiratva (fetal stabilization) and Gurugatratva (subjective and objective heaviness of the mother). Classical descriptions closely resemble modern accounts of early second-trimester maternal and fetal adaptations, yet this equivalence has been only sparsely quantified. Aim: To document anatomico-physiological changes during the 4th month of pregnancy in Garbhini women and correlate the Ayurvedic concept of urugatratva with contemporary obstetric parameters. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 pregnant women (13–16 weeks gestation) attending the antenatal clinic of a tertiary Ayurvedic hospital. Demographic data, Ayurvedic subjective parameters (e.g. Gurugatrata, Stanau-pinatva, Dauhridayavastha, Lomaraji Udaagam), modern clinical parameters (breast changes, per-abdominal findings), vital signs, anthropometry, lipid profile, complete blood count, and fetal biometry were recorded using a pre-tested proforma. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests and paired t-tests (p < 0.05 significant). Results: Most participants were 25–29 years (64%), literate (94%), urban (62%), middle-class (74%), housewives (86%) and primigravida (64%), indicating Ayurveda uptake among young, educated, urban women. Gurugatrata increased from 18% in the 3rd month to 78% in the 4th month (χ² = 36.06, p < 0.001). Stanau-pinatva (46%→74%, p = 0.004) and Lomaraji Udaagam (0%→12%, p = 0.012) also showed significant rise, while Sphuran, Dauhridayavastha and Sakthisadan increased modestly without statistical significance. Breast changes—size, visible veins and secondary areola/Montgomery tubercles—showed highly significant increments (p < 0.05), whereas colostrum appeared in a small subset. Fundal height was palpable above the symphysis pubis in 92% of women in the 4th month. Systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, maternal weight and BMI increased significantly from 3rd to 4th month (p < 0.01), while diastolic blood pressure and respiratory rate remained within physiological limits. Lipid profile showed physiological hyperlipidemia, CBC demonstrated mild hemodilutional anaemia with normal RBC, platelets and mild leukocytosis, and fetal biometry (BPD, HC, AC, FL, estimated fetal weight ~107 g) was appropriate for gestational age. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that Gurugatratva is a composite clinical marker reflecting objectively measurable maternal weight gain, cardiovascular adaptation, breast and cutaneous changes, and normal fetal growth in the 4th month. These findings substantiate that classical Ayurvedic descriptions of Garbha Sthiratva and Gurugatratva closely parallel modern second-trimester physiology, supporting an integrative, evidence-informed model of antenatal care.

Keywords: Ayurveda; Garbhini; Gurugatratva; Garbha Sthiratva; pregnancy; fetal development; physiological changes; maternal adaptation.