The Missing Piece: Consciousness and the MotherBaby Bond (Part 2)
Page 2 of 2
The Architect of Your Baby’s Future
Being aware of this motherbaby bond is critical if we wish to create a more peaceful society. Since mothers have an excellent opportunity to positively shape the personality and emotional intelligence of the next generation, mothers and fathers need to learn the tools necessary to enhance this connection. Prenatal education should focus less on the stages of labor and more on stress reduction, mindfulness techniques, and creating healthy and supportive relationships. Pregnancy is when conscious parenting begins.
When babies are conceived in a trusting, peaceful, loving state they are literally formed in love. Early pregnancy is an ideal time for mothers to contemplate their habits and environment. It is also a time to be grateful for our relationships with our partners, our families and our friends. Being in a state of appreciation, rather than conflict, has an enormous impact on the birthing experience.
Keys to the MotherBaby Bond
The motherbaby bond can be enhanced with a few key concepts that help a mother foster a deeper connection to herself, her baby and her world. These concepts are designed to create a BOND:
Being
Observing
Nourishing
Deciding
Being relates to a mother’s consciousness, having an awareness of our thoughts and feelings. Thoughts and feelings shape our daily lives, affecting our health, stress levels, fertility and the growth of our babies. Pregnancy is a great opportunity to begin making healthy changes in lifestyle. These changes should incorporate activities that enhance “being,” like mindfulness techniques, breath work, thought awareness, appreciation, and taking quiet time to bond deeply with the baby.
Observing means being in a state of mindfulness. Mindfulness encompasses being purposeful, conscious and non-judgmental in thought and action. What could be a better mindset for pregnancy? Observing provides mothers an opportunity to create change where it’s needed. To understand the world and the people in it, self-observation is the best place to start. Mothers who foster a healthy internal relationship tend to have nourishing relationships with the people in their lives. Loving, supportive relationships actually change a mother’s brain, heart patterns, and mental and physical health. The people in a woman’s life change her, for the better or worse. Emotions and attitudes are contagious. Choosing to be around people who contribute happiness and health has a profound effect on fertility and the growing baby.
Nourishing involves all of the generous and loving ways that a mother tends to her emotional and physical needs. Our physical health is more than what we eat, drink and do for exercise. It is about how we feel about our bodies and how we care for them. Pregnancy can be an opportunity to make a shift. It’s important for mothers to let go of attitudes that make healthy choices seem burdensome and embrace a new belief system where better choices are perceived as a loving gift to oneself and one’s baby. Remember, the body is always an expression of one’s internal emotional world. The keys to nourishing revolve around gratitude, body-mind awareness, making healthy decisions and practicing stress reduction.
Deciding is the experience of actively participating in creating your reality. What we think about, we bring about. Therefore, it makes sense to move through this world intentionally, especially when it’s known that our experiences as mothers impact the health and personalities of our babies. We can make decisions that are in our best interest by being in conscious agreement. What is conscious agreement? Conscious agreement is the act of making decisions based on deep inner listening and coming to an intuitive mind-body-spirit agreement. It is making decisions that feel good at a gut level. Conscious agreement occurs when you are in collaboration with your inner wisdom, when every part of you says “YES!” You are in harmony with your own feelings.
Before pregnancy, a woman’s consciousness appears to affect only her life. Once she conceives, she must acknowledge that her consciousness directly affects her baby’s development and emotional well-being. Therefore, all of her choices impact her baby—what she eats, who she allows in her life, what thoughts she chooses to have and what state of being she chooses to be in. These choices will attract her relationships and experiences. Every moment in life, we are choosing our emotional state of being, and thus affecting our baby’s experiences as well. Being in a state of conscious agreement during pregnancy (and even while trying to conceive) becomes crucial to the motherbaby connection.
Easy steps for conscious agreement are:
Separate from external influences. To make a decision based on conscious agreement, it is sometimes necessary to remove yourself from environments or people that may be distracting. This can be as simple as closing your eyes and taking a moment to connect to your inner wisdom.
Get quiet and pause. Take a few deep breaths, allow your thoughts to calm and connect to your source. Your source can be defined as that which guides you—God, the universe, your spirit, your intuition, etc.
Listen in. Think about the situation that has presented itself. What is your gut feeling? How is your body feeling? How is your body reacting? Do you feel drawn to the situation or person, or do you feel a sense of discomfort? How does this feeling affect your baby?
Decide and commit. Honor the feelings that are coming up for you and your baby. Make a decision that is in harmony with what your body, baby and intuition are telling you. This is truly honoring the motherbaby bond.
Today’s mother is bombarded by technology, an endless array of choices and a medical community that has yet to recognize and honor the motherbaby bond. However, it is possible for every mother to tune in to the miracle happening inside of her. She can minimize the influence of her external reality and focus in on the internal world of the motherbaby bond. By moving into the states of Being, Observing, Nourishing and Deciding, she has the opportunity to truly BOND.
Your Next Steps:
Call and schedule and appointment . 212.334.3395
Talk to your health care provider regarding chiropractic care or other alternative interventions.
Hours for the week are:
Monday 3:30-7:30
Tuesday 9-11:30 Wednesday 12-2 & 4-7:30
Thursday 4-7:30
Saturday 11-2 **
* New patient visits, private appointments and corporate onsite care available upon request. Call or email for more information.
*Biomat appointments available - 30 & 60 minute sessions.
tags: birth, Chiropractic care, Pediatric, Pregnancy, Webster technique, wellness, pregnant care, pregnant wellness, pregnancy wellness care, pregnant wellness care, Inside Pregnancy: Weeks 1-9 | BabyCenter Video Pregnancy Week By Week (My Rainbow Baby) Pregnancy: Weeks 1-4 (Month #1) Watch the Baby Grow! Ultrasounds Week by Week During Pregnancy Inside Pregnancy: Weeks 15 - 20 | BabyCenter Video Inside Pregnancy: Weeks 21-27 | BabyCenter Video Pregnancy care tips shared by Dr. Leela Bhagavan Healthy Pregnancy, Healthy Baby: Prenatal Care Pregnancy prenatal care presentation Ontario Midwives - Pregnancy Care with a Midwife Garbh Sanskar Shri Balaji Tambe: Wellness Music for Pregnancy visit us www.garbhsanskar.in Postpartum Care for Down There network spinal analysis entrainment Network Spinal Analysis Care Network Spinal Analysis Baby NSA Entrainment Network Spinal Analysis Chiropractic Care Demonstration of NSA Network Spinal Analysis for Health Professionals Donny Epstein World's Best Cosmic Energy Head/Shoulders/Arms Massage on a Woman by Oudin A Chiropractic Adjustment Network Spinal Analysis,DonnyEpstein,Consciousness,chiropractic,healing,pregnancy,doula,webster technique,Network Care,energy,clear day,stress,wellness,spine,entrainment,breech baby turning technique,icpa4kids,reorganizational.org,chiropractor,back pain relief,Spinal Gateways,adjustment,pediatric,DONA,Spine (journal),Doctor (title),Health,Pain,Therapy,New York,SOHO,ZocDoc,pain management,chiropractic adjustment,sciatica treatment
The Missing Piece: Consciousness and the MotherBaby Bond (Part 1)
Most information pregnant families access today is designed to prepare the family for childbirth and early parenting—detailing such things as nutrition, hazards to avoid, the anatomy and physiology of pregnancy and birth, breathing techniques, medications and medical interventions. Unfortunately, the most essential of all preparation, the awareness of the mind-body-spirit “motherbaby” bond, is rarely addressed. Cutting-edge research indicates that the experience in the womb and the early moments of birth and infancy are the most formative moments in our lives. These quantum moments shape all we become. Unfortunately, many professionals who work with families do not yet realize the significance of the motherbaby bond. In fact, the concept of bonding with the baby is rarely mentioned except for the postpartum and early infancy stages.
With today’s increasing rates of medical intervention, cesarean birth, postpartum mood disorders, and the overall atmosphere of unconscious parenting, it is obvious that a missing piece of critical information isn’t being communicated to families. This missing piece is the motherbaby bond. In this technology-obsessed world of ours, it is easy for mothers to forget that the most important knowledge comes from within. In our society, it is rare for us to listen to our body’s cues and respond accordingly. How many pregnant mothers nap during the day when they are tired or get regular chiropractic adjustments for overall balance and function? We avoid listening to our bodies because we feel rushed, and don’t honor their signals as actual communication. The pregnant body is communicating what it needs all the time, and, believe it or not, the unborn baby is, too. All we have to do as mothers is learn to listen, give ourselves the permission to trust the connection, and take the time to respond.
How Does the MotherBaby Bond Work?
Nature is impressive in its design and prepares babies in the womb for the new world they will encounter at birth. Since each baby is born into a distinctly different environment, he must adapt quickly in the womb in order to survive and thrive at birth. The information a baby receives in utero teaches him to adapt to his new world. A mother is constantly communicating about her world to her baby throughout pregnancy, via special messenger molecules. The baby, interestingly, communicates back to his mother through the placenta with his own set of messenger molecules. Mom and baby are sharing information during each and every moment of pregnancy. This sharing is how the motherbaby bond begins.
Mother and baby communicate by way of the placenta, using components such as hormones and neuropeptides. There are specific neuropeptides that are molecules of emotion, which communicate a mother’s feelings to her baby. When a mother has a thought, a “feeling” or emotion pulses through her body. These pulses are messenger molecules that deliver signals to the body’s systems. For example, if a mother smells something burning, she is likely to experience worry or fear. Her body starts to release hormones, such as adrenaline and other catecholamines, to pump blood to her limbs so she can get ready to move quickly and get her baby to safety. Her perception of the world (smelling smoke) creates a thought (“I smell smoke”) and emotion (worry/fear), which then signals her body to prepare to get out fast (blood pumping to her arms and legs).
This unique and remarkable communication between mother and baby is how the baby’s emotional intelligence is created. He experiences the world of emotions through his mother, and begins to become aware of life based on how his mother feels about her world. When she has a loving thought, he experiences love. When she feels joyful, he encounters joy, and so on. It’s an amazing process designed to give babies the opportunity to experience a kaleidoscope of emotions and develop a healthy emotional life that matches the emotional tone of his new family. This emotional tone becomes his way of coping with his world, known as EQ, or emotional quotient. Current research shows that a healthy EQ is much more important for long-term happiness and success in adults than a high IQ.
If all mothers knew this, we would likely spend more time doing things we loved and activities that reduced our stress instead of focusing on less important tasks like worrying over where to register for baby goods. Neonatologist Dr. Frederick Wirth referred to this as being a “brain architect.” He knew that focusing on creating a healthy, happy baby in the womb led to happier, healthier children and families. Mothers should be excited to learn we have this power—the power to build our babies’ brains.
As we wrote in our book, The Greatest Pregnancy Ever: The Keys to the MotherBaby Bond, “Every orchestra has specific instruments and musicians, but you, the mother, are the conductor. You are writing your own symphony, you choose the music and the notes. If something is out of tune, you can change the music. You create the harmony. You are the maestro.”
Your Next Steps:
Call and schedule and appointment .
Talk to your health care provider regarding chiropractic care or other alternative interventions.
Hours for the week are:
Monday 3:30-7:30
Tuesday 9-11:30 Wednesday 12-2 & 4-7:30
Thursday 4-7:30
Saturday 11-2 **
* New patient visits, private appointments and corporate onsite care available upon request. Call or email for more information.
*Biomat appointments available - 30 & 60 minute sessions.
Pregnant women all over the world walk throughout their pregnancies. Most of the time it’s to get from one place to another, but occasionally, a woman slows her pace and slows her mind. She walks with her breath, which she shares with her baby.
A breath walk is a walking meditation, much like those that monks practice. It can be done anywhere, but a quiet place with minimal distraction is best. Do not carry anything in your hands—they need to swing freely. Wear a backpack over both shoulders if you need to carry water or a sweater.
To begin, stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Let your weight spread evenly across the heels and balls of your feet. Relax your jaw and shoulders. Close your eyes and take several deep breaths, in a four-part rhythm:
Inhale slowly for a count of four.
Hold your breath for a count of four.
Slowly release your breath for a count of eight.
Pause again for a count of four.
Repeat this four times. Then, on your fifth inhalation, open your eyes while stepping forward. Pause, then take your next step as you exhale. Then, pause again. Now repeat this four times.
You might find it difficult to exhale to the count of eight, particularly late in pregnancy, when lung capacity is inhibited. If so, start by exhaling to a count of four, and slowly work your way up. You’ll be surprised at how much your deep breathing will improve with some practice.
If you enjoy the slow pace, keep walking that way. Otherwise, increase your speed by breathing normally and walking in rhythm to your breath. Try both of these paces:
Take one step for each inhale, and one step for each exhale.
Take four steps (two per foot) with each inhale, then four steps with each exhale.
Play with the length of your step. Let your arms hang and swing in response to your body’s movements. Moving meditations require a different way of being in your body. By practicing how to keep your upper body and jaw relaxed while maintaining awareness of your breath and walking in rhythm, you are practicing for labor and beyond.
Most women can talk and move comfortably through their early contractions. When in labor, do a breath walk with your partner around the block. You could also use your breath to move to music (either your own inner choir, or a piece you’ve practiced moving to already).
By learning how to stay present to your breath while doing something else, you are learning to mindfully multitask, a skill that will serve you well as you care for a newborn. Enjoy the walk.
Pregnancy can be daunting. Prenatal gadgets tempt expecting mothers at every turn, as the market is saturated with ever-changing options for mommy, daddy and baby. But underneath it all, we are simply driven by a common desire to fulfill the ideals of motherhood and to connect with our babies. Stroller technology alone is enough to baffle the mind. Maybe next year we’ll see an organic, Tempur-Pedic stroller manufactured with recycled diapers that makes the Orbit seem old-school. It will cost a small fortune, of course, but will elevate one’s eco-parenting status beyond compare.
As our bellies expand, advice from sisters, mothers, friends and countless strangers streams in, solicited or not. Somehow, even when seasoned women talk about their choices and experiences in pregnancy, labor or motherhood, there is often a tinge of pressure. The subtext of these conversations, consciously or not, urges budding moms to either “be like me,” or “avoid my calamities and regrets.”
The feedback from other mothers might even be paradoxical: “You should do what I did, even though I don’t feel great about the choices I made. I wish I knew what you know now.” Of course, these other moms don’t intend to create a sense of insecurity, contribute to anxiety, or manifest feelings of stress and depression. Nevertheless, some pregnant women report having an uncomfortable, nagging sense of unrest as they approach this transformative time in their lives.
Pregnancy is an opportune time to invite women to focus on their developing baby in utero—to slow down and create space for connection, prenatal bonding, reflection and wonderment. Instead, there is often societal chatter about what to buy and how to decorate, as well as inherited concerns about how to lose the baby weight before the baby even arrives. All of these factors contribute to externally focused desires.
A mantra missing from mainstream society is one of trust— trusting oneself, and knowing oneself. We need to carve out time to get familiar with the feelings associated with parenting, rather than avoiding them.
Who am I as a woman, a mother-to-be, a partner? How does my childhood impact how I see and understand myself? Are issues lingering from my family life that might be worth attending to now, before I blaze a new path of parenthood? What kind of role model do I want to be for my child? If I find myself concerned about enduring postpartum struggles, how might I bolster my internal resources now so that I feel more centered when my baby is in my arms?
Although these questions might stimulate a variety of complex feelings, the benefits of exploring these emotions during pregnancy will strengthen your core, subsequently engendering a more mindful childhood for your baby. In-depth psychological investigation is potentially a lifelong preventative investment, paying dividends along the way.
Research reveals that perinatal and postpartum mood disorders are often linked to the following: striving for perfection; unexplored and often unrealistic expectations of control; anxiety and depression during pregnancy; personal or family history of depression; ambivalence around issues of mutual dependency; helplessness; a history of early loss, trauma or abuse; previous bouts of postpartum depression; obstetrical complications; and lack of social support.
The prognosis for postpartum blues and depression is directly tied to the swiftness with which one addresses the symptoms. In other words, responding to internal uneasiness straight away can make a world of difference. Taking steps to deepen your understanding of who you are during this monumental milestone— pregnant and on the precipice of parenthood—can harness confidence and promote grace.
Here are some psychological meditations for cultivating a conscious pregnancy and postpartum period, with baby in mind.
Be Connected. Being present in the moment—being attuned to your body, your developing baby and your breath—can cultivate embodied awareness. During pregnancy and beyond, try to take time each day to notice your breathing, even if it’s only for two minutes.
Be True. Sentimentality around pregnancy and parenting can make moms-to-be feel alienated. Some women don’t necessarily feel overjoyed by all of the elements of pregnancy or postpartum changes. If you’re not 100 percent excited all the time, that’s okay. Be who you are. Take moments to reflect on what you truly feel, what your gut reactions are, and what feels right for you. For those who thoroughly enjoy pregnancy or want to be a full-time, stay-at-home mom, be true to those feelings as well. Honor that which is deeply you.
Be Bold. Step into the uncharted territory within. Mindfully wonder about your enthusiasm, your fears, your identity and your personal history. Challenge yourself to rest in uncomfortable places internally. Ask for help when needed.
Be Curious. Attachment and bonding during pregnancy and in the early moments of your child’s life set the framework for your relationship with your baby, and your baby’s relationship with the world. Cultivating curiosity while your baby is developing in your body—through noticing prenatal movements, talking or singing to your baby in utero, or touching your baby “bump” as you acknowledge this burgeoning life within—can create a sense of connectivity for both you and your baby. Reflect on attachment relationships in your family of origin, and consider addressing issues that might be pulling at your heartstrings. Consider how you might foster your relationship with your child similarly to what you experienced in your childhood, and how you might differ. Consider the subtleties of bonding and attachment, which can be as simple as gazing into your baby’s eyes. Try narrating your actions and thoughts as you and your baby transition from one activity to another throughout your day. Internal curiosity is important, too; a weekly visit to a psychotherapist while pregnant can help you explore unhealed challenges that you feel might inhibit postpartum bonding.
Be Generous. Making sure you feel soothed, balanced, or attuned with yourself might be just what you need to help stave off postpartum challenges. Taking care while pregnant may plant seeds of mind-body health and well-being. Some fortifying steps to take can include psychotherapy (individually or with your partner), meditation, massage, yoga, acupuncture, thoughtfully preparing a birth wish list, or pondering who you might want supporting you at your baby’s birth.
Being present with yourself in pregnancy will help you to be present with your child in parenthood. With the aim of fostering a dynamic bond with your baby, examine your internal landscape during the prenatal phase. This can yield increased clarity and space for connecting with this new addition to your family.
Emotional well-being is worth exploring and pursuing as early in pregnancy as possible. And as for whether the next generation of strollers should have a built-in iPod and solar panels, that’s something we can leave up to the stroller gurus.
Your Next Steps:
Call and schedule and appointment .
Talk to your health care provider regarding chiropractic care or other alternative interventions.
Hours for the week are:
Monday 3:30-7:30
Tuesday 9-11:30
Wednesday 12-2 & 4-7:30
Thursday 4-7:30
Saturday 11-2 **
* New patient visits, private appointments and corporate onsite care
available upon request. Call or email for more information.
*Biomat appointments available - 30 & 60 minute sessions.
tags:
birth, Chiropractic care, Pediatric, Pregnancy, Webster technique, wellness, pregnant care, pregnant wellness, pregnancy wellness care, pregnant wellness care,
Inside Pregnancy: Weeks 1-9 | BabyCenter Video
Pregnancy Week By Week (My Rainbow Baby)
Pregnancy: Weeks 1-4 (Month #1)
Watch the Baby Grow! Ultrasounds Week by Week During Pregnancy
Inside Pregnancy: Weeks 15 - 20 | BabyCenter Video
Inside Pregnancy: Weeks 21-27 | BabyCenter Video
Pregnancy care tips shared by Dr. Leela Bhagavan
Healthy Pregnancy, Healthy Baby: Prenatal Care
Pregnancy prenatal care presentation
Ontario Midwives - Pregnancy Care with a Midwife
Garbh Sanskar Shri Balaji Tambe: Wellness Music for Pregnancy visit us www.garbhsanskar.in
Postpartum Care for Down There
network spinal analysis entrainment
Network Spinal Analysis Care
Network Spinal Analysis
Baby NSA Entrainment
Network Spinal Analysis Chiropractic Care
Demonstration of NSA
Network Spinal Analysis for Health Professionals
Donny Epstein
World's Best Cosmic Energy Head/Shoulders/Arms Massage on a Woman by Oudin
A Chiropractic Adjustment
Want to get pregnant? Here are 10 tips for increasing your chances of conceiving a healthy baby...naturally!
1) Know Your Cycle When is your “fertility window”? The Sympto-Thermal Method has proved to be a very effective way to determine when you’re most fertile. It combines both the Billings method (cervical mucous checking) and Basal Body Temperature method.
Cervical mucous checking: One of the most reliable indicators of ovulation is the change in vaginal discharge. Five to six days prior to ovulation, mucous will change from being paste-like and opaque to an oestrogenic mucous, which is thin, wet, watery, clear and profuse. Two days before ovulation, mucous will again change to a raw egg-white consistency, stretching in long strands. These few days offer the highest conception probability.
Basal Body Temperature: This method involves taking your body temperature each morning at the same time, using a digital thermometer. Measuring changes in tempera- ture helps indicate when ovulation occurs.
Action: Research these methods for a full explanation of necessary steps
2) Replenish Your Body Certain lifestyle factors, such as poor diet, stress and the use of medication (including antibiotics and the contraceptive pill), can deplete critical nutrients and minerals necessary for reproductive success. Research indicates that the contraceptive pill alters the uptake and utilisation of the vitamin B group, as well as vitamins A, C, E, K, folic acid, biotin, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, selenium, zinc and copper.
Studies have also revealed that vitamin E deficiency in animals can lead to infertil- ity, that zinc supplementation can improve intrauterine growth, and that women who reported using iron supplements were 40 percent less likely to have ovulation-related infertility than non-users.
Action: Before attempting to conceive, give your body a few months to replenish natural nutrient reserves.
3) Give Up Those Vices There are 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke, including 43 carcinogens and 300 polyaromatic hydrocarbons that can destroy follicles in the ovary, reduce fertility and trigger early menopause.
A recent study showed that smokers have 1.6 greater risk of being infertile compared to nonsmokers, and that women who smoke take longer to become pregnant, even with Artificial Reproductive Technology (medical procedures used to enhance fertility), and are more likely to miscarry. It’s important to note that chemical toxicity of any kind can have an adverse effect on conception and development. Alcohol and caffeine are also toxic.
Poor vitamin B levels, high intake of coffee, smoking and lack of vitamin supplemen- tation during pregnancy contribute to elevated plasma Hcy (homocysteine, an amino acid). Women with high plasma Hcy (and low serum B12 levels) are at greater risk of recurrent pregnancy loss, placental abruption, stillbirths, very low birth weight, preterm deliveries, preeclampsia, clubfoot and neural tube defects in their offspring.
Action: Minimise toxins in your diet; remember that all chemicals pass through the semi-permeable placental membrane to the foetus, and that there is no such thing as a placental “barrier.”
4) Hidden Nutrient Deficiencies Micronutrient deficiencies are known contributors to poor pregnancy outcomes. Certain foods can block the absorption of important vitamins and minerals. It is therefore wise to study if reliance on certain foods may have created micronutrient deficiencies. Seek dietary advice on how to balance food choices and incorporate more organic fruits and vegetables, which are always a rich source of iron and zinc and other important vitamins and minerals.
Action: Eat high-quality, organically grown foods—these are the best source of vitamins and minerals.
5) Regulate Your Blood Sugar Dietary factors that affect the body’s insulin (blood sugar) sensitivity have been associated with an increased risk of infertility. Greater levels of insulin in the bloodstream appear to depress the body’s production and regulation of hormones, which can have adverse effects on fertility.
Action: While monitoring intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates is important, seek advice from a healthcare provider on the benefits of foods that regulate blood sugar levels, such as whole grains and proteins, and how low-fat dairy products have been shown to influence insulin.
6) Go for the Good Fats Some fats are good for us and some are not. Fats are important for optimal body function, and together with protein they constitute the structural framework of our body. There are basically four types of fats, of which we need three. Our bodies thrive on “good” fats—the mono- and polyunsaturated fats, which are important for healthy reproduction, as they help control blood sugar levels, cool the body’s inflammation, and enhance healthy ovulation. Our bodies also use high-quality saturated fats in moderation. The fourth fat, trans fat, is the “resident evil.”
Action: Prioritise good fats in your diet. Include a high-quality, preferably organic, mercury-free DHA and EPA supplement (omega-3 polyunsaturated marine or fish oil), and utilise other great sources, such as oily cold-water fish, flaxseed oil, walnut, olive and soya bean oil, walnuts, pumpkin and sesame seeds, wheat germ, leafy green veg- etables, olives and avocados. Consider pastured meats, eggs and organic dairy from grass-fed cows as additional sources of good fats. Be vigilant in avoiding trans fats; these are often listed on products as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable oil or vegetable shortening. Foods that contain trans fatty acids are often included in kids’ favourites, such as hot chips or French fries, crackers, cookies, biscuits, crisps, cakes, cereals and margarines.
7) Go Organic Non-organic fruits and vegetables are exposed to a significant number of insecticides and fungicides. The simple act of biting into a piece of fruit that has been treated with endosulfan, an organochloride pesticide, gives an unintended dose of hormone disruptors, otherwise known as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs mimic oestrogen and other hormones and potentially disrupt the chain of hormone release necessary for ovulation, fertilisation and implantation of the embryo.
Action: Buy organic produce—not only are these foods nu- tritional dynamite, but they help us avoid produce that might otherwise be genetically modified. There is significant cautionary evidence relating GMO food consumption and infertility. Be sure to check other food purchases for GMO ingredients, which are mostly found in processed foods—particularly those containing soy, corn and canola.
8) Avoid Contaminated Fish Products There has been increas- ing awareness about the ill effects of toxins found in fish, including mercury, antibiotics, vaccines and pesticides. Tinned fish is also a source of Bisphenol A, sulphur dioxide and EDTA. Mercury is 1,000 times more toxic than lead, and is second only to uranium as the most toxic metal. It is a known neurotoxin, linked to numerous forms of brain damage. When eating fish, eat wild. The growing “fish farming” industry is contributing unhealthy, chemical-laden sources of fish into our diets. For this reason, fresh, wild fish (after considering the mercury content) is best.
Action: For a full list of safe fish, please visit welladjusted babies.com/blog/fish-how-safe-is-it/.
9) Keep Moving Exercise improves the body’s sensitivity to insulin and evens out blood sugar levels. Controlling insulin is an essential step in improving fertility. Exercise also helps us maintain our ideal weight and keeps our bodies strong.
Action: Put on your running shoes, grab a bicycle or join a gym. All exercise is good for the body, and the more variety, the better. Calculate your ideal weight and get all of the physical and emo- tional support you may need to achieve this weight.
10) Get Your House in Order Whether from a tap, tank or natural source, water contains hundreds of contaminants, including natural organics, salts, harmful bacteria and viruses. Chlorination of tap water and its harmful byproducts must be filtered out.
Variations in menstrual and ovarian function have been ob- served following consumption of tap water disinfection byprod- ucts (also known as DBPs). A study on American women showed those who regularly drank tap water with at least 75 micrograms per litre of these byproducts had an increased rate of early-term miscarriages (15.7 percent, as compared to a 9.5 percent risk for women with low exposure). Fluoride, which is also added to tap water, has been linked to hormone disruption, lower fertility rates and low sperm counts. Water contains hundreds of contaminants, including organic compounds derived from living organ- isms, salts, harmful bacteria, viruses and pharmaceutical drugs.
In addition, conduct an inventory of your home and the prod- ucts you use, particularly personal care and cleaning products. Eliminate anything with EDCs (endocrine-disrupting compounds), such as aluminum, lead acetate and phthalates.
Action: Purchase a high-quality water filter and use glass bot- tles to store your water. Avoid drinking from bottles that contain Bisphenol A—a nasty chemical found in plastics. Replace prod- ucts with 100 percent biodegradable products and read labels carefully before you buy. Dispose of any cookware that contains Teflon and Gore-Tex.
BONUS TIP! Get Your Spine in Order
Finally, get your spine checked. This is critical to any pregnancy. The body’s nervous system is the master control for healthy functioning. When our nervous system works well, we are better able to adapt to our environment and its stressors, which in turn influence our capacity to reproduce.
Physical traumas such as car accidents, sporting injuries and falls—and even long-term, “invisible” trauma caused by poor posture—can all impact the function of the nervous system by causing stress to the spine.
Chiropractors are experts in spine and nerve function. They can help your body function at its full capacity and resist destruc- tive forces more successfully.
The nervous system will effectively integrate the chemical, physical and emotional information between the brain and reproductive systems, improving the chance of conception Chiropractic offers an effective way of improving body function and may play a significant role in improving your ability to conceive naturally
Call now to make a special appointment just for you!
Network Wellness Care
580 Broadway 4th Floor
212.334.3395
Chiropractic for Fertility
One of the basic premises of chiropractic care is that vertebral subluxations affect nerve transmission. Think of your brain as a computer which coordinates, via your nervous system, the functions of your organs and cells. Nerve messages can be interrupted by spinal subluxations which occur when there are misalignments of one or more vertebrae. Among other effects, vertebral subluxations can compromise optimal reproductive system function and our capacity to conceive. But the field of chiropractic care is yielding some promising results.
In one review published in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics (2008), the case studies of eleven infertile women, aged 22 to 42, were examined. Ten of the women were actively trying to become pregnant and had been unsuccessful. Their pregnancy histories included one natural childbirth, two miscarriages, two failed IVF treatments and three failed artificial inseminations. Within 1 to 20 months of receiving chiropractic care, all eleven women had become pregnant. They all had adjustments made to vertebral subluxations in their spines using a variety of chiropractic techniques. Nine of the eleven received no other medical care during this time. This is one example in the growing body of research that suggests chiropractic care improves reproductive system function.
Regardless of the type of chiropractic technique used, when subluxations are addressed, nerve function is improved and reproductive and endocrine function is enhanced.
There is no exclusive infertility cure-all for couples. These proactive recommendations are designed to allow the body to balance itself and recreate its own “order.” Health practitioners cannot take credit for the magnificent design of the human body, which has an innate intelligence working to heal itself.
If couples take the time to listen to their own bodies, they will receive invaluable advice, for the body is always sending messages. This does not mean we need be alone in the healing process. Chiropractors, Chinese medicine practitioners and naturopaths will often work together to support reproductive integrity.
Given the right support and enough time, the body has repeatedly shown that it is capable of transforming “dis-ease” and dysfunction into wellness…and for many couples, infertility into fertility.
Assisted Conception—Weighing Your Options
Becoming pregnant is not always as easy as our mothers said it would be. Millions of couples around the globe have difficulty con- ceiving, while many others have challenges sustaining a pregnancy. Infertility alone has now become a major health issue, affecting one in every five couples in the U.S., one in every six in Australia and one in every seven in the U.K. Infertility can be defined as the “inability for a couple to conceive after one year of regular unprotected intercourse.” It implies the potential to conceive, as distinct from sterility or recurrent early pregnancy loss—although all three scenarios result in the same distressing outcome for a couple wishing to have children.
One question to ask is: Why do we now have so many fertility-challenged couples? Purported explanations are endless, and there appears to be much overlap in rationale for the causes of sterility and infertility. There are a host of physical reasons why a couple might not be able to conceive. Common conditions include ovulatory dysfunction (15 percent), sperm disorders (35 percent), pelvic dysfunction such as endometriosis, adhesions or tubal disease (35 percent), abnormal cervical mucous (5 percent), and unidentified factors (10 percent).
Other factors known to influence fertil- ity for either parent include macro- and micronutrient status, allergies to certain foods, insulin resistance, thyroid dysfunc- tion, adrenal exhaustion, improper exercise, and exposure to environmental toxins and chemicals. While some of these theories are more substantiated than others, it is becom- ing increasingly obvious that deleterious lifestyle factors have a cumulative effect on reproductive capacity.
The next question to ask is: How do we improve our chances of becoming parents? This article outlines some recommendations for enhancing conception, but it’s also important to examine why some couples are hesitant to rush into utilising Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART). These in- clude drug therapies or medical procedures used to enhance fertility before trying in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. When a woman tries to conceive later in life, there is an increased chance that the conception will require assistance. Allopathic treatments for infertility include drug therapy, surgery and IVF, all of which can take a toll on a woman’s overall health. While ARTs are exceedingly popular, more and more couples are curi- ous to know whether there are any short- or long-term health effects for mother or baby. Unfortunately, the safety and efficacy of ARTs are rarely discussed.
A woman taking fertility drugs may experience bloating, abdominal pain, mood swings and headaches. Fertility drugs such as Clomid (or Serophene in the U.S.) have been known to create several harmful side effects, such as cervical mucous changes (which can interfere with sperm mobility), blurred vision, and lung and vascular com- plications such as blood clots. The Physician’s Desk Reference states that Serophene causes ovarian enlargement (which is a particular problem for women who have endometriosis or ovarian cysts) and ovarian hyperstimula- tion syndrome, where sudden fluid buildup may occur in the chest and abdomen, requir- ing immediate hospitalisation and causing complications if pregnant.
Fertility medications work by blocking the production of oestrogen so that the brain is fooled into believing the body is not ovu- lating and is compelled to produce larger amounts of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This causes the ovaries to “super- ovulate” by producing multiple eggs at one time. Some drugs, such as Pergonal and Metrodin, are highly potent, producing as many as 30 eggs at one time. Fertility drugs may also cause depression and ectopic pregnancies (where implantation of the foetus does not occur in the uterus itself, resulting in miscarriage or removal of the ovary). Surgeries for fertility challenges can address the issues of fallopian tube abnormalities or blockages, but endometriosis, uterine fibroids, intrauterine adhesions, scar tissue and septa uteri involve risks relating to bleeding, infection, scar tissue and anesthesia complications.
Most of us are aware that taking any medication or undergoing any surgery or procedure involves risks, many of which are unknown at the time. IVF treatment is not immune to these risks, and a couple’s jour- ney with this treatment is often arduous and costly—both in a financial and an emotional sense. Research indicates that 80 percent of IVF-assisted pregnancies in women 40 to 45 years end in miscarriage, and that the chance of a 40-year-old becoming pregnant through IVF is a mere 15 percent.
There is growing evidence that children born as the result of IVF have a greater risk of health problems. One study found that a group of 4,559 children born between 1996 and 1999 as a result of IVF had more health problems, worse perinatal outcomes and more hospitalisation compared to the con- trol group. The mothers reportedly also had an increased risk of caesarean births and required more hospital care. For those cou- ples who are successful with the treatment, IVF is no doubt an invaluable asset. However, given the risks and expense, these technolo- gies are often used prematurely when there are safer, less invasive, holistic therapies which may offer equally successful outcomes.
You might have noticed that chiropractic care is becoming an important part of birth preparation for many pregnant women these days. These women are realizing the benefits of regular chiropractic adjustments as they prepare for safer, easier birthing for both themselves and their babies. Chiropractors have actually cared for pregnant women for many years. Recently, however, with the increased interest in natural birthing, and in an effort to avoid having a C-section, a growing number of mothers have incorporated chiropractic into their prenatal care. To understand how chiropractic care can contribute to a better birth, it is important to look at the mother's and baby's biomechanics throughout pregnancy.
As a mother's weight increases, her center of gravity shifts outward and her postural compensations respond accordingly. In addition, the ligament laxity necessary for birthing adds to instability in all of her joints, including her spine and pelvis.
"The potential for damage in pregnancy and the postpartum period to a woman's neuro-musculoskeletal structure is great," Varney's Midwifery warns. "Shifts in the center of gravity forward and slightly up destabilize her posture and realign the carriage of weights and forces through her joints, predisposing nerves, muscles, bones, and connective tissues to damage. Increased levels of relaxin and elastin further aggravate this situation."
Changes During Pregnancy
These hormonal and structural changes can lead to spinal and pelvic misalignment and the lower back pain many women experience during pregnancy. Lower back pain, in and of itself, is a burden to a woman's daily function and quality of life. However, the misalignment of the spine and pelvis have a far more crucial consequence to a mother and her developing baby. In chiropractic, these misalignments are called subluxations. These insidious blockages cause stress overload to the mother's nervous system, potentially impairing any of her vital systems and organs. During pregnancy, when a mother's body systems are basically functioning for two, any interference to the nerve transmission supporting their function can be detrimental to her health and well-being, as well as the growing baby's. Reducing this nerve system stress is a key ingredient for normal bodily function.
Another effect of spinal and pelvic misalignment throughout pregnancy is a condition imposed on the baby called intrauterine constraint. To understand this, it is important to look at the mother's anatomy and see the relationship between her pelvic biomechanics and the baby's positioning. The mother's pelvis has various key ligaments attached that support her uterus. As the baby grows, their role becomes increasingly important. If her pelvis is in biomechanical balance during pregnancy, the uterus will be supported symmetrically. This allows the baby optimal room for movement in utero and provides it the opportunity to develop free of constraint. Conversely, if the woman's sacrum (the major triangular bone in her pelvis) is out of alignment, it will affect the alignment of her entire pelvis. Misalignment of the pelvis will create an uneven pulling effect on the uterine ligaments, which explains why some women feel sensitivity on one side more than the other. Intrauterine constraint can create torsion in the uterus, limiting available space for the developing baby. This can inhibit the development of the baby's spine.
Gross misalignment conditions like torticollis create excessive stress to the baby's developing neuromuscular system, and can impair his nervous system and adversely affect virtually any of the body's systems and functions.
Intrauterine constraint not only compromises fetal positioning, but can also impair the future health of the baby. The optimal position for birth is anterior vertex (rear-facing, head down). When a baby presents breech or posterior, it often is the result of an imbalance in the mother's pelvis, forcing the baby to assume a compromised position.
Even if the baby is vertex, the head may be tilted off to one side. This tilting is termed "ascynclitic." While this position is less troublesome than breech or posterior, it could still result in a lengthier, less comfortable and more complicated birth. Ideally, the baby's neck should be flexed forward without a tilt to either side.
The body's intelligence wants the easiest route out for the baby. If mother's biomechanics are compromised, obstetric interventions are more likely to be recommended and implemented. Each and every intervention has significant side effects for both mother and baby. Many drugs and procedures are used "off label," meaning the FDA has not approved them for their obstetric application. Furthermore, such interventions are often not evidence-based, and therefore their effectiveness is questionable, at best.
Preventing Interventions
All obstetrical interventions increase the risk of subsequent and more serious procedures. For example, with any intervention (e.g. Pitocin, epidural anaesthesia, etc.), the risk of mechanical delivery (the use of forceps and vacuum extraction) and surgical delivery (C-section) multiplies substantially. These unnatural modes of delivery are risky and traumatic to both mother and baby. Proper prenatal chiropractic care, however, is a valuable tool to decrease the reliance on these invasive delivery procedures.
Medically classified birth trauma is when the baby has fractured clavicle and humeral bones, overt neuromuscular damage such as Erb's and Bell's palsy, or severe spinal cord injury. Chiropractic classification of birth trauma is much more specific and distinct. Evidence of birth trauma is when the baby has misalignments to his or her spine affecting nerve system function. These less obvious traumas can be detected by doctors of chiropractic as soon as a child is born. The unique expertise of chiropractors can detect and correct these misalignments with a gentle touch to the baby's cranium and spine. When parents understand the importance of nerve system function and the potential trauma of birth, they recognize the importance of having their infants checked immediately after birth.
Fortunately, today's parents are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of the mother's pelvic biomechanics throughout pregnancy. Giving it due attention will not only result in a more comfortable pregnancy, but will optimize the baby's developing systems in utero and contribute toward achieving optimal fetal positioning for a safer and easier birth for both mother and baby.
Call now to make a special appointment just for you!
Page 2 of 2
