posted 21 Nov 2009 18:27 by Alessandra Edwards
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updated 21 Nov 2009 18:33
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A study in Australia of 37 women found that they measured significantly higher on the Creative Imagination Scale (CSI) when they were pregnant than when they were not pregnant.
This study gives encouragement to women wondering whether they are receptive enough to hypnosis to benefit from the HypnoBirthing program.
Apparently pregnancy gives women the added advantage of being more receptive to hypnosis!
The results of the study also may serve as a reminder that pregnant women are vulnerable to 'waking' hypnosis which may come in the form of birth stories.
If you are pregnant, it is important that you only encourage positive birth stories into your life. |
posted 3 Oct 2009 22:16 by Alessandra Edwards
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updated 4 Oct 2009 03:02
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Changing our lifestyle to include all of the ethical, green, animal-friendly or healthy options available these days can be a bit daunting.
Switching to organic food is the easiest way to make a big impact on your health, your baby’s and the planet’s, as this method of farming ticks all the above boxes.
If you’re one of those people who think of organic food as either a scam or an unaffordable low priority, please read on.
Here are 4 simple reasons which I hope will convince you that organic food is not a fad, nor is it a luxury item.
It is simply how food is supposed to be grown.
1. There’s More Carrot in Your Organic Carrot
Various independent comprehensive studies have concluded that there is overwhelming evidence that organic food is more nutritious and includes higher levels of vitamin C, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, calcium as well as trace minerals such as boron, selenium, manganese and phytonutrients.
Most of these micronutrients and phytochemicals are essential for just about every biochemical reaction in the body as they act as catalyst enzymes.
They are also powerful antioxidants which are essential for optimal health, and help us fight degenerative diseases such as cancer.
I see daily deficiencies in these trace nutrients in my natural fertility clinic in Melbourne.
They manifest as hormonal problems, PMS, endometriosis, PCOS, infertility, recurrent miscarriages, prolonged labour, stretchmarks, post-natal depression, malformations, gestational diabetes as well as a host of other issues from insomnia to headaches.
While I’m not saying this is the only cause for these issues, remineralisation of the individual along with lifestyle changes and appropriate herbs is often all that is required to rectify the problem.
Conventional farming adds macrominerals to impoverished soil as well as lots of nitrogen, which causes quick and lush growth in vegetables, resulting in a higher water content and therefore fewer nutrients (have you ever wondered why organic vegetables and fruit often look smaller? It’s because they’re not swollen with water!).
2. Protect Yourself and Your Baby From Pesticide Residues
Conventional, non organic farming uses a wide variety of pesticides to control insects in vegetable, fruit, wheat, and other crops.
Approximately 30 000 tonnes of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and plant growth regulators are used each year in Australia.
Though chemical residues are approved individually for safety levels, the testing for these chemicals is woefully inadequate as we really have no idea of the combined effects of multiple compounds when ingesting a normal range of fruit and veg.
Organophosphate pesticides are currently the most widely used insecticides in Australia, and residues are found on the majority of conventional fruit and vegetables.
Many of these pesticides are known as hormone disruptors as well as carcinogens, and have been associated by scientific studies with fallopian tube damage, impaired fertility, sperm DNA abnormalities (which can lead to recurrent miscarriages and/or malformations), autoimmune responses, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental problems in children.
Despite reassuring statements from government organisations about the safety of these pesticide residues, I strongly believe that non organic produce is unsafe to eat at any time, but particularly during preconception care, pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood.
Why? From my point of view, it’s easy to put two and two together. Organophosphates have been shown to cross the placental barrier, and residues have been found in meconium (baby’s first poo) and breastmilk.
These chemicals are lipophilic, which means they can cross the lipid barrier that surrounds our cells. They can be stored in fat cells for years. A baby’s brain and nervous system are composed of fats… you see where I’m going with this?
On the other hand, organically farming has to follow strict regulations which prevent the use of conventional pesticides, chemical fertilizers and routine use of drugs, antibiotics and wormers as well prohibit the use on GMOs in animal feed.
Animal cruelty is also prohibited and a truly free-range life for farm animals is guaranteed.
3. Avoid GMOs
Currently no independent testing of the long-term health effects of GMO foods on humans has been carried out.
The various exemptions from GE labelling laws in Australia make it impossible to know which grocery items use GMO-derived ingredients. Certified organic foods are a great way to avoid GMOs.
4. Make Your Legacy A Healthy Planet
Buying organic food also promotes a healthy environment by reducing chemical run-off and residues in drinking water, waterways and coastal areas, which is the main cause of diminishing marine life, animals and plants.
Organic farms also promote biodiversity, with, on average, 30% more species and 50% more wildlife like birds, butterflies and bees.
References:
Australian Government 2009, ‘Labelling of GM foods’, www.biotechnologyonline.gov.au
Astroff, AB & Young AD, 1998 ‘The relationship between maternal and fetal effects following maternal organophosphate exposure during gestation in the rat, Toxicology & Industrial Health, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 869-889.
Guney, M, Oral, B, Demirin, H, Take, G et al 2007, ‘Fallopian damage induced by organophosphate insecticide methyl parathion, and protective effect of vitamins E and C on ultrastructural changes in rats’, Toxicology & Industrial Health, no. 23, pp.429-438.
Soil Association UK 2009, ‘Health’, www.soilassociation.org
Whyatt, R & Barr, DB 2001, ‘Measurement of Organophosphate Metabolites in Postpartum Meconium as a Potential Biomarker of Prenatal Exposure: A Validation Study’, Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 109, no. 4, pp. 417–420
Worthington, V 2001, ‘Nutritional quality of organic versus conventional fruits, vegetables, and grains, The Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, vol. 7, no. 2, pp.161-173.
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posted 27 Sep 2009 20:32 by Alessandra Edwards
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updated 4 Oct 2009 03:05
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Fish is an excellent source of good quality protein, is low in saturated fat and contains polyunsaturated fatty acids such as essential omega-3 polyunsaturates (EPA and DHA).
It is also a good source of some vitamins, particularly vitamin D.
What's All The Fuss About?
The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet are becoming increasingly recognised. Omega-3 fatty acids are believed to play a role in protecting against heart disease, preventing blood clotting, decreasing triglycerides and bad cholesterol and have anti-arrhythmic effects.
EPA and DHA are also believed to reduce the risk of stroke, are anti-inflammatory and benefit people with autoimmune diseases.
DHA in particular has been shown to be very important for the central nervous system and retina development in babies, before and after pregnancy.
Does Fish Provide Other Trace Nutrients?
As well as being the best source of EPA and DHA, fish is also an excellent source of iodine, providing from 25% to 100% of women's Recommended Daily Intake.
An adequate iodine intake is important for normal thyroid function and is also essential for critical periods in foetal development and early childhood. Recent research has shown that in Australia we don't get enough iodine in our diet.
Even though certain types of fish can accumulate higher levels of mercury than others, it is widely recognised that there are considerable nutritional benefits to be derived from the regular consumption of fish.
So How Much Fish Should I Eat?
The minimum effective dose of fish oil has not yet been determined as this varies from study to study.
One to two grams of omega-3 fatty acids approximates the amount consumed daily by several populations whose diet is rich in fish.
Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) recommends that three to five fish meals per week should provide a useful amount of omega-3.
Low fat cooking methods such as grilling, baking and barbecues are preferable to frying.
Is It Ok To Eat Tinned Fish?
Tinned fish is a suitable alternative, especially the 'low salt' products. Tuna, sardines, herring and salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Aim to eat fresh, deep sea, oily fish in preference over tinned or frozen
Which Fish Should I Eat?
CSIRO has found the following fish to have the highest omega 3 content: sardines, ocean trout, Atlantic salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel.
The following also contain omega 3 fatty acids but in lower amounts: whiting, barramundi, trevally, flake, flounder, mussels, oysters, prawns, crab, lobster, squid.
Consumption of squid, shrimp and prawns should be restricted because of their high cholesterol
Food Standards Australia New Zealand recommends limiting consumption of the following fish because of their high levels of mercury: swordfish, broadbill, marlin, shark/flake, orange roughy and catfish.
Should I Eat Fish During Pregnancy?
Although it’s really important to eat fish during pregnancy and breastfeeding, you need to be careful about which fish you choose. That’s because some fish may contain mercury levels that may harm an unborn baby or young child’s developing nervous system.
Pregnant women, women planning pregnancy and young children should include a variety of fish as part of a healthy diet but limit their consumption of shark (flake), broadbill, marlin and swordfish to no more than one serve per fortnight with no other fish to be consumed during that fortnight.
For orange roughy (also sold as sea perch) and catfish, the advice is to consume no more than one serve per week, with no other fish being consumed during that week.
References Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 2007, ‘Fish oils help keep the heart running smoothly’, viewed at http://www.csiro.au/resources/Omega-3-fish-oils.html#2 on 25 Sep 2009
Broadhurst, C.L., Wang, Y., Crawford, M.A., Cunnane, S.C., Parkinson, J.E. & Schmidt, W.F. (2002). Brain-specific lipids from marine, lacustrine, or terrestrial food resources: potential impact on early African Homo sapiens.Comp. Biochem. Physiol. B. Biochem. Mol. Biol.131:653-673.
Connor, W.E. (2000). Importance of n-3 fatty acids in health and disease.Am. J. Clin. Nutr.71:171S-175S.
De Caterina, R., Madonna, R., Zucchi, R. and La Rovere, M.T. (2003). Antiarrhythmic effects of omega-3 fatty acids: from epidemiology to bedside.Am. Heart J.146:420 – 430.
Eastman, C.J. (1999). Editorial: Where has all our iodine gone?Med. J. Aust.171:455 – 456.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand 2004, Mercury in Fish, viewed at http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodmatters/mercuryinfish.cfm on 25 Sep 2009.
Gunton, J.E., Hams, G., Fiegert, M. & McElduff, A. (1999). Iodine deficiency in ambulatory participants at a Sydney teaching hospital: is Australia truly iodine replete?Med. J. Aust.171:467 – 470.
McDonnell, C.M., Harris, M. & Zacharin, M.R. (2003). Iodine deficiency and goitre in school children in Melbourne, 2001.Med. J. Aust.178:159-162.
Sidhu, K.S. (2003). Health benefits and potential risks related to consumption of fish or fish oil.Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology.38: 336-344.
Simopoulos, A.P. (2002). Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases.J. Am. College Nutr.21:495-505.
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posted 13 Sep 2009 04:42 by Alessandra Edwards
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updated 4 Oct 2009 02:59
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Did you know that your intake of certain essential fats before and during pregnancy has a direct effect on your child’s IQ?
The essential omega 3 fatty acid called DHA is found in the membrane of all cells in our body and is a major component of the nervous system.
Your baby gets DHA through the placenta and, after birth, your breast milk.
Benefits of DHA in Pregnancy
DHA accumulates in your baby’s brain and retina throughout pregnancy but particularly in the last trimester and the early postnatal period.
Preemie babies who haven’t had access to this flow of DHA from the placenta are born with reduced fat stores, making them more susceptible to deficiency.
A higher intake of DHA during pregnancy can decrease your risk of pre-eclampsia (a condition where your blood pressure can become dangerously high), post-natal depression and have a positive effect on gestational length, your baby’s visual function, neurological development and head circumference.
DHA Improves Cognitive Function in Children
Mothers with higher plasma DHA levels during pregnancy have babies with more mature sleep patterns at birth.
Many studies have shown that breastfed babies have consistently higher developmental outcomes than formula-fed infants and that babies born of mothers who supplemented DHA during pregnancy scored higher on cognitive function tests at 7 years.
Diet & Supplementation Affect DHA Levels
The level of DHA found in your placenta and breastmilk is largely determined by your diet. DHA, and its companion fat EPA, are mainly found in oily fish, such as sardines and salmon.
Vegan women who eat no animal products have the lowest levels of DHA in their breast milk compared with women who regularly eat fish, who have the highest levels of DHA in their milk.
EPA and DHA can also be synthesized in the body from a different fat, alpha-linolenic acid or ALA (found in flaxseed oil) but studies have shown that the rate of this conversion is very limited, although it may be higher in pregnant women.
In fact, supplementing with ALA or flaxseed oil during breastfeeding has been shown to increase the ALA content of breastmilk but have no effect on DHA.
Unsafe Mercury Levels in Fish
As some types of large fish such as flake/shark, marlin, broadbill and swordfish have been found to have unsafe levels of mercury, pregnant women should only consume them once a fortnight, with no other fish to be consumed during that fortnight.
For orange roughy and catfish, the advice is to eat no more than one serve per week, with no other fish consumed in that time.
I personally recommend all my patients, whether pregnant or trying to conceive, to buy a practitioner-only brand of fish oils as they have to meet the highest standards of manufacture, ensuring the safest, cleanest oil with the lowest amount of contaminants.
References
Carnielli VP, Wattimena DJL, Luijendijk IHT, et al. (1996) The very low birth weight premature infant is capable of synthesizing arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids from linoleic and linolenic acids. Pediatr Res 40:169-174.
Cheruku SR, Montgomery-Downs HE, Farkas SL, Thoman EB, Lammi-Keefe CJ (2002) Higher maternal docosahexaenoic acid during pregnancy is associated with more mature neonatal sleep-state patterning. Am J Clin Nutr 76:608-613.
Francois CA, Connor SL, Bolewicz LC, Connor WE (2003) Supplementing lactating women with flaxseed oil does not increase docosahexaenoic acid in their milk. Am J Clin Nutr 77:226-233.
Gibson RA, Neumann MA, Makrides M (1997) Effect of increasing breast milk docosahexaenoic acid on plasma and erythrocyte phospholipid fatty acids and neural indices of exclusively breast fed infants. Eur J Clin Nutr. 51:578-84.
Helland IB, Smith L, Blomén B, Saarem K, Saugstad OD, Drevon CA (2008) Effect of supplementing pregnant and lactating mothers with n-3 very-long-chain fatty acids on children's IQ and body mass index at 7 years of age Pediatrics. 122(2):e472-9
Makrides M, Gibson RA. Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) requirements during pregnancy and lactation. Am J Clin Nutr 2000; 71: 307S-311S.
Martinez M (1992) Tissue levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids during early human development. J Paediatr 120:S129-S38.
Szajewska H, Horvath A, Koletzko B (2006) Effect on n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation of women with low-risk pregnancies on pregnancy outcomes and growth measures at birth: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr 83:1337-3144.
Williams CM, Burdge G (2006) Long-chain n-3 PUFA: plant v. marine sources. Proc Nutr Soc. 65:42-50.
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posted 6 Sep 2009 03:58 by Alessandra Edwards
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updated 29 Sep 2009 03:12
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I am incredibly fascinated by a new field of biology called Epigenetics
and its relevance to conception, pregnancy and birth. A recent book I read by
Kathleen Fahy, PhD has furthered my knowledge on the subject. Far from being an
airy-fairy, new-age kind of philosophy, Epigenetics uses rigorous scientific research
to find out how our genes are expressed or not when exposed to certain external
influences such as nutrition, stress and emotions. What’s this got to do with
pregnancy? Well, the process of selecting the most appropriate genes for
expression is called genomic imprinting. It actually occurs in the final stages
of sperm and egg development and throughout the baby’s development in the womb.
Fahy says that this means that both parents are actually genetic engineers several months
before conception (it takes up to four months for sperm to mature). The parents’
consciousness, nutrition, emotions, habits and broader social and cultural
influences all play a role in the gene expression of their sperm and egg, which
will influence the baby’s genetic make up at conception. Once the baby is
conceived, he also takes on an active role in his genetic development (this
process is called autopoiesis in scientific terms) and it is influenced by all
sorts of environmental signals, which the baby gets through his mum’s
consciousness, emotions, thinking, nutrition, behaviour and attitudes. This
allows the baby to constantly evolve his physiology and genetics to adapt to
these environmental signals. For example, did you know that a baby is exposed
to the various tastes of foods you eat during pregnancy? Research has shown
that food ‘flavours’ the amniotic fluid within a few hours of ingestion. So, if
you don’t like broccoli but would like your future child to eat greens you’d
better start tucking into them now! It is now believed that this is an evolutionary
mechanism that allows the baby the best chances of survival and ensures that he
will fit into the family and environment he is born into. This is why it is
particularly important for pregnant mums to have their emotional needs met, so
they don’t feel unnecessary stress. Far from being a selfish attitude, there is
now compelling evidence from the field of epigenetics and endocrinology that
pregnant mums who feel loved, valued and in control of their pregnancy and birth,
have reduced levels of blood cortisol (the hormone we release when stressed). This doesn't mean that pregnant mums should live 40 weeks in a bubble for fear of
experiencing stress or negative environmental influences. As always, moderation
in all things is best: a sensible approach to food, exercise and incorporating
regular stress-relieving activities such as yoga, meditation or massage (or any
hobby that makes you feel centred and relaxed) will go a long way towards
ensuring a healthy pregnancy for you and your baby.
References:
Kathleen Fahy PhD, RM, RN Birth Territory and Midwifery
Guardianship |
posted 31 Aug 2009 05:47 by Alessandra Edwards
I have been following with interest the recent developments on the Australian birth front and I must say I am quite dismayed by the Federal Government's decision to introduce a number of new Bills into parliament that have set the stage to make home birth illegal in Australia by July 2010.
Under the new bills Midwives will no longer be allowed to attend homebirths due to the new national registration of health professionals that requires professional indemnity insurance, which is not available to midwives at present. If these bills become legislation, independent midwives choosing to attend a home birth will face a hefty $30k fine and/or 6 years in jail.
We need to take action NOW to stop these bills becoming legislation.
The choice of where and with whom to give birth should be open to each woman, as it is in other countries such as New Zealand and the UK. Many studies have demonstrated time and again the safety of home birthing for both the mother and the baby, when attended by a professional midwife. Removing this choice without consideration of birthing women is undemocratic at best and irresponsible at worst. I believe that if these bills become legislation, home birthing in Australia will be driven underground, exposing women to the dangers of giving birth alone.
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