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An integrated approach to yoga during pregnancy is safe. It improves birth weight, decreases preterm labor, and decreases IUGR either in isolation or associated with PIH, with no increased complications.

Critical examination of 30 blastocysts by transmission electron microscopy at various stages of blastulation and hatching, has revealed the presence of specialized, plump, trophoblastic cells at the points of hatching, which seem to aid in initial breaking of the zona pellucida (ZP) and then widen its opening to permit the progressive emergence of the embryo in amoeboid fashion, when it acquires a characteristic dumb-bell shape. These cells are named 'zona-breaker' cells and their characteristics are described. Normally, trophoblast cells in expanding blastocysts are flattened (squamous), forming a continuous robust epithelium with specialized cell junctions. Bundles of tonofilaments anchor onto desmosomes, forming a terminal web. Proper expansion of blastocysts by intake of fluid into the blastocoele causes an increase in internal hydrostatic pressure that stretches the trophoblast epithelium leading to an enlargement of its volume two- to three-fold, consequently thinning the zona prior to hatching. This is an important prerequisite to normal hatching. The blastocysts usually hatch out at the pole opposite the inner cell mass (ICM), though a few hatch out at the embryonal pole or elsewhere. In all cases zona-breakers seem to play a vital role in the hatching process.

Introduction. Impaired placentation and inadequate trophoblast invasion have been associated with the etiology of many pregnancy complications and have been correlated with the first trimester uterine artery resistance. Previous studies have shown the benefits of yoga in improving pregnancy outcomes and those of yogic visualization in revitalizing the human tissues. Methods. 59 high-risk pregnant women were randomized into yoga (n = 27) and control (n = 32) groups. The yoga group received standard care plus yoga sessions (1 hour/day, 3 times/week), from 12th to 28th week of gestation. The control group received standard care plus conventional antenatal exercises (walking). Measurements were assessed at 12th, 20th, and 28th weeks of gestation. Results. RM-ANOVA showed significantly higher values in the yoga group (28th week) for biparietal diameter (P = 0.001), head circumference (P = 0.002), femur length (P = 0.005), and estimated fetal weight (P = 0.019). The resistance index in the right uterine artery (P = 0.01), umbilical artery (P = 0.011), and fetal middle cerebral artery (P = 0.048) showed significantly lower impedance in the yoga group. Conclusion. The results of this first randomized study of yoga in high-risk pregnancy suggest that guided yogic practices and visualization can improve the intrauterine fetal growth and the utero-fetal-placental circulation.

Background:Yoga improves maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnancy. Platelet Count and Uric acid (Ua) are valuable screening measures in high-risk pregnancy.Aim:To examine the effect of yoga on platelet counts and serum Ua in high-risk pregnancy.Materials and Methods:This stratified randomized controlled trial, conducted by S-VYASA University at St. John's Medical College Hospital and Gunasheela Maternity Hospital, recruited 68 women with high-risk pregnancy (30 yoga and 38 controls) in the twelfth week of pregnancy. The inclusion criteria were: Bad obstetrics history, twin pregnancies, maternal age < 20 or > 35 years, obesity (BMI > 30), and genetic history of pregnancy complications. Those with normal pregnancy, anemia (< 10 grams%dl), h/o clotting disorders; renal, hepatic or heart disease; seizure disorder; or structural abnormalities in the pelvis, were excluded. The yoga group practiced simple meditative yoga (three days / week for three months).Results:At baseline, all women had normal platelet counts (> 150×109/L) with a decrease as pregnancy advanced. Ua (normal at baseline) increased in both groups. No one developed abnormal thrombocytopenia or hyperuricemia. Healthy reduction in platelet count (twelfth to twentieth week) occurred in a higher (P < 0.001, Chi2 test) number of women in the yoga group than the control group. A similar trend was found in uric acid. Significantly lesser number of women in the yoga group (n = 3) developed pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) / pre-eclampsia (PE) than those in the control group (n = 12), with absolute risk reduction (ARR) by 21%.Conclusion:Antenatal integrated yoga from the twelfth week is safe and effective in promoting a healthy progression of platelets and uric acid in women with high-risk pregnancy, pointing to healthy hemodilution and better physiological adaptation.