Q: My wife has completed 32 weeks of pregnancy. In the growth scan that we did, there was a mention of early diastolic notch in the left uterine artery. The doctor has advised rest and control on BP, which is 130/90. Could you please elaborate the risks and precautions to be taken?

A:An abnormal blood flow pattern in the uterine artery not infrequently results in high blood pressure in pregnancy, growth restriction in the baby, a higher incidence of delivery before the due date, a greater need for caesarean delivery and sometimes a need for special nursery care after birth. There is, however, no cause for alarm or panic because this is a well defined and well understood medical scenario and the medical protocols of conduct to handle these problems are well established and form a common part of day to day practice for most obstetricians. Your wife will need more frequent check-ups for high blood pressure, baby's growth, urine tests, blood tests and ultrasound scans along with rest and medication. These days the usual outcome in this situation is a healthy mother and a healthy child.