David Chamberlain, Ph.D

Through many windows of observation, we can now see–for the first time in human history–what is actually happening in the womb. There is good news and bad news. We can no longer think that the placenta can protect the prenate from anything bad going on in the mother’s body, or that the mother’s body can protect the prenate from bad things going on in her world. Mother and baby face together the perils of air, water, and earth compromised by the toxic residues of modern chemistry and physics. Parents are perhaps the last ones to learn (and their children the first ones to suffer) these tragic realities of modern life.

Pollution has many sources, beginning with the physical environment surrounding the mother and father. Numerous chemicals loose in the environment reach them where they work or find them in the garage or in cleaning supplies in the kitchen. Solvents, metals, pesticides, preservatives, fumes, and various forms of radiation are capable of interfering with reproduction. Chemical pollution also reaches us in the medical system through prescribed drugs which may put the well-being of the prenate at risk. Some medicines, like aspirin are hazardous at birth, as are some powerful anesthetics. Not long ago, an antibacterial soap used widely in hospitals and dispensed in public areas was discovered–after years of use–to be neurotoxic.

Parents, too, can be a source of contamination and injury to the unborn baby as a consequence of their personal habits and lifestyle choices. Drugs thought to be harmless to adults can be harmful to babies because they are not able to handle these chemicals in adult doses. Nicotine, caffein, and aspirin, substances ubiquitous in adult life, can affect the course of growth and development of babies. The damaging effects of alcohol have been known for centuries and the most recent research (2005) warns that no level of alcohol in the pregnant mother is safe. Not so well known, and perhaps not yet even tested, are the toxic effects of experimental “street drugs” which damage parents as well as babies. All these discoveries are revealing the profound importance of very early parenting, beginning, not at the time of birth, but even before the time of conception when it is still possible to avoid a host of serious problems.

An additional reason for parents to begin active parenting at conception is the discovery that babies in the womb are also developing more rapidly than previously thought possible. From the second month of pregnancy, experiments and observations reveal an active prenate with a rapidly developing sensory system permitting exquisite sensitivity and responsiveness. Long before the development of advanced brain structures, prenates are seen interacting with each other and learning from experience. They seem especially interested in the larger environment provided by mother and father, and react to individual voices, stories, music, and even simple interaction games with parents. The quality of the uterine environment is determined principally by parents.

The opportunities for parents to form a relationship with the baby in the womb are significant and remarkable. This contrasts sharply with the previous view that prenates did not have the capacity to interact, remember, learn, or put meaning to their experiences. Only a decade ago, doctors typically told pregnant mothers and fathers that talking to a baby in the womb was useless and unrealistic. Now there is mounting evidence for memory and learning in utero and for precocious communication before the stage of language. These abilities of unborn babies underlie the successes reported in a series of scientific experiments with prenatal stimulation and bonding. They are also a basis for the personal stories occasionally shared by children and adults about their experiences before birth.

David B. Chamberlain is a California psychologist born in Connecticut in 1928 and educated at Randolph-Macon College, Washington State University, and Boston University. His curiosity about the capacity of prenates and newborns was stimulated by clients having vivid early recall during hypnotherapy beginning in 1974. This inspired a continuing clinical and scholarly effort leading to over fifty publications including the popular book, The Mind of Your Newborn Baby (3rd edition, 1998), currently available in twelve languages. David assisted in organizing the First International Congress on Pre- and Perinatal Psychology held in Toronto, Canada and personally chaired the second congress held in San Diego, California in 1985. From 1991 to 1999 he served as President of the Association for Pre- and Perinatal Psychology and Health (APPPAH). Currently he also serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health, and is Founding Editor of birthpsychology.com, the APPPAH gateway on the Internet.

• This strain of the flu is new- it is a combination of swine and avian flu.
• In pregnancy there is a lowered immune response and therefore pregnant women are at higher risk for the flu (seasonal or H1N1).
• Currently no studies exist that validate the effectiveness or safety of the H1N1 Vaccine. The data from studies that are underway will be available June 2010.

The Vaccine

• Will be available in the coming weeks (mid October)
• Single dose vials do not contain thimerasol (a mercury based preservative).
• The CDC recommends that all pregnant women are vaccinated for seasonal and H1N1 flu.

Additional ingredients include: formaldehyde, eggs, thimerasol, neomycin, polymyxin.

Note: People who are allergic to eggs should know that egg and chicken protein are used in the H1N1 vaccine and that dosage needs to be adjusted based on a persons level of allergy. A person who has a severe allergy to eggs or to anything else in the vaccine should not get the shot, even if she is pregnant. A complete list of ingredients contained in the H1N1 flu vaccine is available on the FDA website (link at end of handout).

Your immune system: “It is all about your body’s terrain.”

Improve and maintain a healthy immune system by taking Vitamin C (500-1000mg for maintenance) and getting good quality sleep (8 plus hrs.) in a dark room. Prevention is best if you follow these measures:

• Hydrate yourself. Drinking AT LEAST half of your body weight in ounces of quality water is one of the simplest steps you can take to improve your overall vitality. (For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink at least 75 oz. of water per day.)
• Washing your hands with hot water and simple bar soap frequently throughout the day is another simple and powerful tool.
• Keep your hands out of your mouth, nose, and ears and generally away from your face.
• If symptomatic: gargle twice daily with salt water. Use Celtic or sea salt (“Real Salt”). Consider also using a neti pot to clear out sinuses.
• Vitamin D3 (“D3” has greater bioavailability) supplementation has been found to have a strong correlation to the strength of immune system function, specifically keeping Vitamin D3 levels above 50ng/ml. It may be necessary to take as much as 5-15,000 IU of Vitamin D3 daily to raise Vitamin D3 levels in an individual with compromised levels. Should be 50 – 65ng/ml
• Take probiotics daily. 70% of our immune system is located in our colon. Just as we encourage our clients to balance their vaginal flora, we can encourage balance in the colon to improve overall health. A high dose (at least 20 billion probiotics bacteria per serving) should be taken for maximum benefit. Probiotic bacteria can also be consumed via cultured dairy products such as yogurt and fermented foods such as sauerkraut.
• Maintain an alkaline state in your body. Our body is able to function most smoothly when our Ph is balanced and in an alkaline state. One amazing alkalinizing food is the famed “Bieler’s Broth,” a recipe that Dr. Henry Bieler recommended in his 1965 book, Food Is Your Best Medicine. (see below)
• Apple Cider Vinegar is an ancient remedy and can be used as a dietary supplement (1 oz., 1-3 times daily), and/or in a warm bath. Pour 1-3 cups of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar into the bath once water has been drawn. This remedy, used when sick, gently draws out toxicity from the body. Although there have been no formal studies on the use of apple cider vinegar in pregnancy, it is a very old remedy that has been used over many generations of women and children.
• General herbal immune enhancers, if symtomatic, are Elderberry, Wolf Berries, Astragulus, garlic, ginger, in moderation and Echinacea’s.

Influenza A (H1N1) Further Resources:

• Clinical study data from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/QA/vteuH1N1qa.htm
• NPR Audio/ article entitled, “What you need to know about Swine Flu” http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113446539&sc=17&f=1001
• Sherry Tenpenny’s Vaccine Information Center: http://drtenpenny.com/default.aspx
• CDC website link for vaccination and pregnant women: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/pregnant_qa.htm
• Complete list of approved vaccines and their ingredients form FDA: http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/ucm181950.htm
• Dr Sear’s website, article explains the 4 approved vaccines, their manufactures, and ingredients: http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/2009/09/four-swine-flu-vaccines-approved-by-fda.asp
• Janine Roberts book, entitled Fear of the Invisible, available on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Fear-Invisible-Janine-Roberts/dp/0955917727/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254713625&sr=8-1
• Dr Mayor Eisenstein’s website which includes subscription option for email updates about H1N1: http://www.homefirst.com/

Source for high potency probiotics:
Custom Pure http://www.customprobiotics.com/

Bieler’s Broth © Recipe

Ingredients:

• Zucchini squash
• Green beans
• Celery
• Parsley
• Clean, chemical-free water

Instructions:

• Cut up equal amounts of zucchini squash, green beans (frozen or fresh) and celery. (Chop the celery 1/2 inch or less to eliminate stringiness.)
• Steam until soft using clean water (distilled – or – reverse-osmosis and carbon filtered) in a porcelain or stainless steel pot. Do not use aluminum or copper cookware.
• Fill blender 1/2 full with the vegetables and the water used for steaming. Add a small handful of chopped raw parsley. Blend to a consistency of pea soup (or, as desired).
• Add small amount of unsalted organic raw butter or preferably extra virgin olive oil.

For variety and to suit your own taste, try adding garlic, onions, cayenne pepper, ginger, herbs, etc. Season with tamari or wheat-free soy sauce, etc.

By Lisa M. Bodnar, Marijane A. Krohn and Hyagriv N. Simhan

Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA 15261; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213; and Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a highly prevalent vaginal infection that is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Vitamin D exerts an influence on the immune system and may play a role in BV. The objective of this study was to examine the association between maternal vitamin D status and the prevalence of BV in early pregnancy. Women (n = 469) enrolled in a pregnancy cohort study at <16 wk underwent a pelvic examination and provided a blood sample for determination of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D].

BV was diagnosed using Gram-stained vaginal smears interpreted using the method of Nugent. Approximately 41% of women had BV (Nugent score 7–10) and 52% had a serum 25(OH)D concentration <37.5 nmol/L.

The mean unadjusted serum 25(OH)D concentration was lower among BV cases (29.5 nmol/L; 95% CI: 27.1, 32.0) compared with women with normal vaginal flora (40.1 nmol/L; 95% CI: 37.0, 43.5; P < 0.001).

BV prevalence decreased as vitamin D status improved (P < 0.001). Approximately 57% of the women with a serum 25(OH)D concentration <20 nmol/L had BV compared with 23% of women with a serum 25(OH)D concentration >80 nmol/L.

There was a dose-response association between 25(OH)D and the prevalence of BV. The prevalence declined as 25(OH)D increased to 80 nmol/L, then reached a plateau.

Compared with a serum 25(OH)D concentration of 75 nmol/L, there were 1.65-fold (95% CI: 1.01, 2.69) and 1.26-fold (1.01, 1.57) increases in the prevalence of BV associated with a serum 25(OH)D concentration of 20 and 50 nmol/L, respectively, after adjustment for race and sexually transmitted diseases.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with BV and may contribute to the strong racial disparity in the prevalence of BV.

By The Lancet

Oct 22, 2006 – 10:53:57 PM

OTTAWA (October 20, 2006) A Canadian population-based cohort study has revealed that medical induction of labour increases the risk of amniotic-fluid embolism. The study was led by Dr. Michael Kramer, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Senior Investigator from McGill University, and will be published in the October 21st issue of The Lancet.

Amniotic-fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare, but serious and even fatal maternal complication of delivery. While its cause is unknown, it is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in developed countries, accounting for seven of 44 direct maternal deaths in Canada in the period 1997-2000.

This population-based study examined the association of AFE and medical induction of labour in a cohort of three million hospital births in Canada, for the twelve fiscal years 1991-2002.

“AFE remains a rare occurrence,” said Dr. Michael Kramer, principal investigator of the study and Scientific Director of CIHR’s Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health. “Of the 180 cases of AFE we found, 24 or 13% were fatal. AFE arose almost twice as frequently in women who had medical induction of labour as in those who did not; fatal cases arose 3 times more frequently.”

“Dr. Kramer’s research has resulted in a discovery that will benefit physicians who look after pregnant women as they will now be aware of this potential complication should they induce labour”, said Dr. Joseph Shuster, Interim Scientific Director of the MUHC. “This is an example of how academic university teaching hospitals improve the quality of patient care.”

The research team also found several other factors to be associated with higher rates of AFE, including multiple pregnancy, older maternal age (35 years or older), caesarean or instrumental vaginal delivery, eclampsia (a serious complication of pregnancy characterised by convulsions), polyhydramnios (too much amniotic fluid), abnormal placental position or separation, and cervical laceration or uterine rupture.

“Our findings confirm the hypothesis that medical induction of labour is related to an increased risk of AFE,” added Dr. Kramer. “Although the absolute risk increase of AFE for women is very small (four or five total cases and one or two fatal cases per 100,000 women induced) and is unlikely to affect the decision to induce labour in the presence of compelling clinical indications, women and physicians should be aware of this risk if the decision is elective.”

Source:
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
© Copyright 2006 by Doctors Lounge

Carol Gautschi

• “Faith is to believe what we do not see; and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe.”
• “Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others.”
• “Our affections bribe our discernment.”
• “Good prenatal care is really what you think and do between visits!”
• “Our mind can know but our heart not believe.”

St. Augustine of Hippo
Numidian-born philosopher and theologian (A.D. 354-430)

• “Miracles are not contrary to nature, but only contrary to what we know about nature.”
• “A thing is not necessarily true because badly uttered, nor false because spoken magnificently.”
• “God bless you extravagantly, without measure, and for absolutely no reason.”

Carol’s Husband’s Grandma

• “You can get use to anything, but hangin from your neck!”

Joan of Arc
A peasant girl born in eastern France, national heroine of France and a Catholic saint (A.D 1412-1431)

• “We’re all in Gods hands, even those to whom choose to think otherwise.”
• “To believe yourself brave is to be brave; it is the one essential thing.”
• “Patience is the companion of wisdom.”

A Boston study analyzed the relationship between maternal vitamin D status and the prevalence of primary cesarean section, because one symptom of vitamin D deficiency is “poor muscular performance.” The study included 253 women, 43 of whom had had a primary cesarean. This small study showed that women with vitamin D deficiency had increased odds of having a primary c-section.

- Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, doi:10.1210/jc.2008-1217, published online 23 Dec 2008

This 3D medical animation of a baby’s birth shows a time lapse view of labor and delivery during normal vaginal birth in a simplified form with only the mother’s skeletal structures and the baby in the uterus.

Also shown in detail is dilatation (dilation or dilating) and effacement (thinning) of the cervix during childbirth contractions. 

See more 3D medical animations from Nucleus Medical Art at http://www.nucleusinc.com/youtube

Click here to view the embedded video.

Source: BMJ Medical Journal, June 18, 2005

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the safety of home births in North America involving direct entry midwives, in jurisdictions where the practice is not well integrated into the healthcare system.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: All home births involving certified professional midwives across the United States (98% of cohort) and Canada, 2000.

Participants: All 5418 women expecting to deliver in 2000 supported by midwives with a common certification and who planned to deliver at home when labour began.

Main outcome measures: Intrapartum and neonatal mortality, perinatal transfer to hospital care, medical intervention during labour, breast feeding, and maternal satisfaction.

Results: 655 (12.1%) women who intended to deliver at home when labour began were transferred to hospital. Medical intervention rates included epidural (4.7%), episiotomy (2.1%), forceps (1.0%), vacuum extraction (0.6%), and caesarean section (3.7%); these rates were substantially lower than for low risk US women having hospital births. The intrapartum and neonatal mortality among women considered at low risk at start of labour, excluding deaths concerning life threatening congenital anomalies, was 1.7 deaths per 1000 planned home births, similar to risks in other studies of low risk home and hospital births in North America. No mothers died. No discrepancies were found for perinatal outcomes independently validated.

Conclusions: Planned home birth for low risk women in North America using certified professional midwives was associated with lower rates of medical intervention but similar intrapartum and neonatal mortality to that of low risk hospital births in the United States.

Introduction

Despite a wealth of evidence supporting planned home birth as a safe option for women with low risk pregnancies, the setting remains controversial in most high resource countries. Views are particularly polarised in the United States, with interventions and costs of hospital births escalating and midwives involved with home births being denied the ability to be lead professionals in hospital, with admitting and discharge privileges. Although several Canadian medical societies and the American Public Health Association have adopted policies promoting or acknowledging the viability of home births, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists continues to oppose it. Studies on home birth have been criticised if they have been too small to accurately assess perinatal mortality, unable to distinguish planned from unplanned home births accurately, or retrospective with the potential of bias from selective reporting. To tackle these issues we carried out a large prospective study of planned home births. The North American Registry of Midwives provided a rare opportunity to study the practice of a defined population of direct entry midwives involved with home birth across the continent. We compared perinatal outcomes with those of studies of low risk hospital births in the United States.

Click here to continue reading

Birth: it’s a miracle. A rite of passage. A natural part of life. But more than anything, birth is a business.

Compelled to find answers after a disappointing birth experience with her first child, actress Ricki Lake recruits filmmaker Abby Epstein to examine and question the way American women have babies. The film interlaces intimate birth stories with surprising historical, political and scientific insights and shocking statistics about the current maternity care system. When director Epstein discovers she is pregnant during the making of the film, the journey becomes even more personal. Should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potentially catastrophic medical emergency?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Pending bills to further this goal have significant backing in several states, which home-birth supporters want to add to the 25 states that already have taken such steps.

Nationally, a group called the Big Push for Midwives marked President Barack Obama’s inauguration with an email campaign urging him to ensure that midwives who specialize in home births are included in deliberations on federal health care reform.

“We’re at a tipping point now,” said Katherine Prown, the Big Push campaign manager. “Home births are still only a small part of the total, but it’s poised for growth.”

The campaign seeks to emphasize that in this time of economic crisis, home births can be a safe, satisfying and money-saving option for many women. But it runs into adamant opposition from the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

“Childbirth decisions should not be dictated or influenced by what’s fashionable, trendy, or the latest cause celebre,” the obstetricians’ policy statement says. “Despite the rosy picture painted by home birth advocates, a seemingly normal labor and delivery can quickly become life-threatening for both the mother and baby.”

According to the latest federal data, there were only about 25,000 home births nationally in 2006 _ most of them assisted by midwives _ out of nearly 4.3 million total births.

Midwife-attended home births increased by 27 per cent between 1996 and 2006. Home-birth advocates believe the numbers will rise as more states amend their laws to accommodate the practice, which they contend is at least as safe as hospital births for healthy women with low-risk pregnancies.

One of the strengths of the state-by-state campaign is its diversity, Prown said.

“We’re one of the few movements that’s succeeded in bringing together pro-life and pro-choice activists, liberal feminists and Christian conservatives,” she said. “In every state we manage to recruit Republican and Democratic co-sponsors who normally would never be on the same bill together.”

The states are now evenly split on legal recognition of certified professional midwives (CPMs) _ those who lack nursing degrees and who account for most midwife-assisted home births.

Half the states have procedures allowing CPMs to practise legally _ including five which have taken such steps since 2005. The other 25 states lack such procedures and CPMs are subject to prosecution for practising medicine without a licence.

Depending on legislative decisions, the balance could shift this year. Among the battlegrounds:

_In North Carolina, a House study committee recommended in December that the legislature develop licensing standards for CPMs. The committee said the current system doesn’t meet the needs of women who chose non-hospital births because of the “extremely limited supply” of obstetricians and nurse-midwives offering to handle such births.

_In Idaho, advocates who failed previously to get a voluntary licensing bill through the legislature are back with a mandatory licensing bill. State Representative Janice McGeachin (R-Idaho Falls) says the changes helped persuade the state boards of nursing and pharmacy to drop their opposition. The Idaho Medical Association, which fought the earlier version, has expressed respect for the changes in the bill and is deliberating on whether further changes might produce a version it could accept.

_In Illinois, advocates also are back with a new version of a licensing bill that failed in 2007. Representative Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) says it toughens qualification standards for CPMs _ changes that prompted the Illinois Nurses Association to drop its opposition. The Illinois State Medical Society remains opposed.

“There are many in the legislature who feel a need to have this option _ they need to be educated,” said Dr. Shastri Swaminathan, the society’s president. “We’re in strong opposition to licensing midwives who don’t have the medical training to provide safe home births.”

Cost is a major element in the debate. A routine hospital birth often can cost $8,000 to $10,000, with higher bills for cesarean section deliveries that now account for 31 per cent of U.S. births.

Midwives’ fees for home births are often less than a third of the hospital cost, in part because the mothers generally don’t receive epidural anesthesia or various other medical interventions at home.

For pregnant women, insurance coverage can be a decisive factor in their choice. Many insurers cover care by nurse-midwives in hospitals; coverage is less common for midwives who aren’t nurses or who assist with home births.

Many obstetricians acknowledge that the spiralling cost of maternity care and high rate of C-sections are problems.

“But the answer is not to have births at home,” said Dr. Erin Tracy, an obstetrician at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “We obviously support women’s empowerment, but the No. 1 guiding principle has to be the health and safety of the mother and baby.”

The national physicians’ groups do support births assisted in hospitals and birthing centres by midwives who have completed nursing school or an equivalent postgraduate program.

The American College of Nurse-Midwives, which represents these midwives, says it differs from the AMA in considering home births a legitimate option for pregnant women. But the college says only nurse-midwives or others with comparable training should be allowed to assist.

“We don’t believe it’s safe without being integrated into the full health care system,” said Melissa Avery, the college’s president.

The education standards endorsed by the college would exclude many of the estimated 1,400 certified professional midwives, who often acquire training through apprenticeships.

Jane Peterson of Iola, Wis., is an example. She began a midwife apprenticeship in 1980 and has attended more than 1,330 births since then, many of them before she and her counterparts were legally authorized to practice under a 2005 state law.

Peterson, 56, said she strives to develop collaborative relations with local doctors so that transfers to hospitals go smoothly if risk factors develop. She believes such co-operation should be encouraged nationwide, so more women can feel comfortable about choosing home births.

“People will tell you that you changed their lives,” said Peterson, reflecting on the rewards of her job.

“It’s hard work _ getting up on a cold winter night, going out one more time through the snow. What keeps you going is the recognition women feel _ as though they are a different kind of mother when they’ve been able to give birth their way.”

On the Net:

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists:

http://www.acog.org/

Big Push for Midwives:

http://www.thebigpushformidwives.org/

Copyright © 2009 The Canadian Press