The environment. These days it seems like everywhere we turn we are
bombarded with reports and studies about the myriad of ways that we have
harmed our environment. The headlines are hard for any mum to ignore:
global warming, pesticides and factory farming, toxic chemicals in the
ocean, the list goes on.

For many of us, becoming parents means a considerable shift in the way
we view the world and the future. Suddenly the hazy idea that future
generations might be forced to bear the burden for our environmental
failures has a flesh and blood reality. And that reality is currently
wearing fuzzy pajamas and sleeping in the next room.

So we try to consider how we can minimize our environmental footprint.
Maybe that means carpooling with our mums, maybe that means buying
organic fruit, using natural cleaners or trying cloth diapers.

At its heart, I believe that sustainable living is not just about the
environment, but the interconnection of all life on this planet. In
taking care of where we live with strong environmental, economic and
cultural policies we can create the sort of communities that foster our
physical and emotional health and the health of our planet.

In Regina this week, we have the chance to do just that. The City of
Regina is holding open houses to discuss the waste plan for Regina. It
is a chance to talk about what we want in terms of garbage, recycling,
curbside composting, etc.

There are 3 upcoming, drop-in open houses and I strongly urge to attend
one of them:

Thursday, Nov. 26
Glencairn Neighbourhood Recreation Centre
2626 Dewdney Ave.
5:30 -8 pm

Wednesday, Dec. 2
Cathedral Neighourhood Centre
2900 13th Avenue
5:30 -8:00 pm

Wednesday, Dec. 9
North West Leisure Centre
1127 Arnason Street
5:30 -8:00 pm

For more information you can visit www.regina.ca
And if you can’t make the public talks, take the time to make your voice heard by filling out the questionnaire at
http://regina.ca/Page4331.aspx

Here’s to a healthy, joyous planet. Now there is a Christmas gift worth
celebrating!

Hugs,
Marie

Here are the new visitor guidelines for the maternal services areas of the hospital in response to the H1F1 flu.

Marie

*******************************************

Severe illness among pregnant women and infants has been reported during this pandemic; therefore, preventing infection in these populations is a priority.

Visitors are restricted to those individuals necessary for patient well-being or care in order to protect pregnant women, new mothers, newborns and children from contact with pandemic H1N1.

Visitors are restricted to:

Labour and Birth:
• Partner
• Labour coach/support
• Grandparents for post-birth visit
• Persons who are sick with fever, cough, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhea are asked not to visit

Mother Baby Unit:
• Partner
• 2 support people as identified by the mother
• No children under the age of 18 allowed (including siblings)
• Persons who are sick with fever, cough, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhea are asked not to visit

NICU
• Parents
• Grandparents
• Only two visitors per baby at one time
• Persons who are sick with fever, cough, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhea are asked not to visit.

Pediatrics (PH and RGH)
• Parents
• Grandparents
• Only two visitors per patient at one time
• No children allowed (including siblings)
• Persons who are sick with fever, cough, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhea are asked not to visit

If you have questions please speak with the Unit Charge Nurse at the time of admission.

I think it’s important to use natural preventative measures to deal with the H1N1 flu and the normal winter flu as well. This is especially important if you have decided not to vaccinate. And also helpful for keeping healthy if you have decided to do the vaccinations. Thanks to fellow hypnobirther and yoga mom, Sarah P. who shared this with me. Sarah received this information from her aunt who is a nurse.

Here’s to a healthy fall and winter for you and your family,

Hugs,
Marie

PS. My additions to the original document are in italics.

PPS. I have also posted a document written by Regina Naturopathic Doctor Julie Zepp about her take on H1N1. She is also a hypnobirthing and yoga mom.

*******************************************************

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it’s almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. “Hands-off-the-face” approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe). This is something which you can teach your children, although from experience it does take a while.

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don’t trust salt)… *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.* The other very good option is to clean the nasel passages once a day using salt water and a Neti Pot. Neti pots are little water pots that look like little Alladin’s lamps that you fill with warm salt water and pour in one side of your nose and the water runs out the other side. It sounds weird, but it is quite pleasant and VERY effective. You can watch a you tube video on how to do it here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsZeILCedRw
Neti Pots were featured on Oparah a little while ago, you can read about that segment here. http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/slideshow1_ss_oz_20070426/6

For kids, you can buy sterile saline (salt water) nasal mist which you release into their nostrils and it does the same thing as the neti pot.

5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

Ps. The point of this post was not to cause a huge debate over the question of vaccination, but perhaps a frank discussion would be beneficial. Please see comments below.

For those of you who are pregnant, here is a link to the The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) recommendations. Most of you will have seen this info at your doctor’s office.

www.sogc.org/h1n1/infopregnantwomen_e.asp

Excellent website (Public Health Agency of Canada) on H1N1 in pregnancy.

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/fs-fi-pregnancy-grossesse-eng.php

*******************************************************
www.drzepp.com
Dr Julie Zepp Rutledge

H1N1 and the H1N1 vaccine: A Naturopathic Doctor’s Perspective

This past weekend I had the opportunity to take my daughter, now just under five months
old, on a plane trip to visit some friends. At one point on the flight, one of the flight
attendants asked me if I had or planned to have my infant daughter vaccinated against “the
swine flu.” With 100% confidence I was able to say to her: “Not a chance!”

Saskatchewan health is planning to roll out the H1N1 vaccine to health care workers during
the last week of October and to the public beginning the first week of November.

Hopefully this article reaches you before you have made the decision to go ahead and obtain
a seasonal flu or H1N1 vaccine, and gives you the confidence to decline the recommended
shot(s).

Swine influenza virus is caused by numerous subtypes of the Influenza A virus, namely
H1N1 but also H1N2, H2N3, H3N1 and H3N2. It is critical to realize, despite the extreme
media hype, that the swine flu is simply another flu – it is not unusually deadly and is no
more deadly than “regular” influenza. In fact, to date, in Canada there have been 77
reported deaths from H1N1 and over 3000 from seasonal influenza this year.

Because it is a relative of the Spanish Flu (same influenza A subtype H1N1) that caused the
1918 epidemic, alarm has been raised. It is, however, extremely important to remember that
since that time our sanitation and health care have improved, significantly reducing mortality
from influenza viruses. In addition, most deaths caused by the 1918 flu were as a result of
secondary infection from bacteria – which today could be treated with antibiotics, if
necessary.

A tragic death apparently resulting from the swine flu is the case of a teenage old boy in
Saskatchewan. However, as is the case with over 99% of all flu-related deaths, the actual
cause of death is reported to have been bacterial pneumonia – a not uncommon
complication arising, not just in H1N1 flu cases, but equally in seasonal flu. Opportunistic
streptococcal bacteria take advantage of the person’s lowered immune system resulting from
the individual response to the particular flu virus involved and create a secondary infection.
Symptoms of H1N1 are similar to those of regular human seasonal flu and include fever,
cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, disorientation, chills and fatigue. Some people have
reported stiffness of the joints, diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu.
In children emergency warning signs requiring urgent medical attention are extremely rare,
but include:
* Fast breathing or trouble breathing
* Bluish skin color
* Not waking up or not interacting

In adults, emergency warning signs requiring urgent medical attention, also rare, include:
* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness
* Confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting

Spread of swine influenza A (H1N1) happens mainly from person-to-person in the same
way that seasonal flu spreads i.e. through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza.
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and
up to 7 or more days after becoming sick.

The deputy chief medical health officer for our province, Dr Saqib Shahab, has been
interviewed about H1N1 and has been quoted (Leader Post, Sept. 17, 2009) as saying: “If
you have fever, cough, sore throat, stay at home. Don’t go out to do your groceries. Have a
flu buddy, who can do your groceries, run chores for you, run errands for you. Stay at home
until you’re better.” He also says that simple prevention measures remain a key strategy for
limiting the potential impact of the H1N1 pandemic this flu season. Shahab said the advice
is now for people to stay at home until symptoms wane, which for many people is only two to
three days and that there’s a good chance people who get the flu this winter will have the
pandemic variety, but they don’t need to be tested to confirm that.

This reinforces my lack of concern over the potential deadliness of the virus if we take good
care of our health: stay home, rest, and look after ourselves. Given the benign nature of the
disease, it seems silly to me to even consider vaccination though it is being recommended
that we vaccinate “just in case”. It can’t do any harm, right? Just potentially good? I
disagree.

We must take into consideration the drawbacks of vaccinations which are numerous. To
name just a few:

1) Vaccinations have also been called immunizations. I hesitate to use this term, as
vaccinations do not guarantee immunity from the virus being vaccinated against.
Lifelong immunity is guaranteed only when the body has had to fight the virus off
on its own, without the assistance of a vaccine. What has been seen repeatedly with
vaccinations is that they do not, in fact, confer life long immunity against the disease
against which you are being vaccinated; unlike when you actually contract the
disease. For example, a child who might acquire chicken pox naturally has an
immune system that is fully mobilized and after recovering from the illness will have
lifelong immunity. If a child were to instead have the vaccine against chicken pox,
they have a greater likelihood of developing the illness again later in life, as vaccine
effects often wear off.

2) Most vaccinations have not undergone adequate testing before they are launched
into the marketplace. One such example, which we all must be reminded of,
especially right now, is the swine flu debacle of 1976. Over 30 years ago, the swine
flu hit North America and the president at the time Gerald Ford was involved in a
mandatory swine flu vaccine campaign that resulted in huge numbers of people
becoming ill with Guillain-Barre syndrome – a syndrome characterized by paralysis
that can potentially result in death. This program was halted after two months due
to the adverse reactions to the vaccine (more people died as a result of the vaccine as
did from the flu itself) and the swine flu did not become the epidemic that was
predicted, even though the vaccination program was abolished.

3) Toxic adjuvant materials in vaccines will actually weaken the immune system. These
include preservatives such as thimerosol, polysorbates, and aluminum in addition to
allergenic proteins and antibiotics. You may be protected by the strain of flu virus in
the shot however you are left at greater risk for infection from other viruses or
bacteria. This is evidence in the report from this September indicating that those
individuals who had a seasonal flu vaccine may be at greater risk for acquiring H1N1.
The toxic materials have also been shown to increase a person’s risk for autoimmune
conditions.

4) Researchers are warning that over-use of the flu vaccine and anti-flu drugs like
Tamiflu can apply genetic pressure on flu viruses and then they are more likely to
mutate into a more deadly strain. Due to the rapidly changing nature of viruses
getting the “shot” does not guarantee you will remain free of the flu as you are only
protected against the strain that was in the vaccine.

5) Billions of dollars are spent on vaccination development and campaigns. It makes
sense that we should learn from history that when a “fad” virus goes around, the
chances of it developing into a pandemic in these times is virtually non-existent. I
lived in Toronto at the time of the SARS outbreak. This was supposed to be a scary
and deadly virus that turned out to be short lived and over-hyped. There were no
mass vaccinations programs implemented, despite the efforts to create and distribute
such a vaccine, and the disease petered out on its own. As health care and sanitation
have improved in the last 90 years (1918 Spanish Influenza), pandemic deaths
resulting from viral diseases have dropped to zero, though we are still constantly
being warned about being overdue for a deadly flu pandemic (something we were
promised with ’76 swine flu, ’99 rotavirus, avian flu, ’04 SARS and now, once again,
swine flu). Perhaps these billions of dollars would be better spent on improving
health care and sanitation conditions in those areas of our country and those parts of
the world where poor environment might actually lead to disease outbreaks, endemic
spread and mortality.

In Saskatchewan alone the bill for the vaccination program is just over 12 million dollars:
40% that will be paid by our provincial health care system and 60% to be paid by the federal
government. I am certain that we can all think of better ways that our health care dollars
could be utilized.

An interesting video to watch for another physician’s perspective on the swine flu
vaccination can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJoCDqVXgRI. Dr
Kent Holtorf, Infectious Disease Specialist, speaks out against the swine flu vaccine.
As always, when dealing with viruses, it is so important to remember that the best defense is
a good offense. Fortifying your immune system is the most important and vital think you
can do to protect yourself from whatever flu might be “going around”.
Practicing good hygiene: hand washing with warm soapy water, covering nose and mouth
with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and throwing the tissue in the trash after using it or
coughing or sneezing into sleeve or jacket of bent arm rather than into closed fist or open
hand and avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth are all great preventative measures.
Where possible, avoid close contact with sick people especially if you are feeling run down
or tired yourself as this is an indication that your immune system is run down and you will be
more susceptible to viruses and bacteria.

Certain supplements can be taken to assist with immune system boosting, especially by those
who have a higher risk of exposure: children in daycares, health care workers, elderly in
nursing homes and teachers.

A sample protocol that I might suggest to a patient (adult) would include:
- Vitamin A 10,000 IU daily as an anti-viral (not for pregnant women)
- Vitamin C 2000 mg daily
- Vitamin D 2000 IU daily
- Zinc 15 mg daily
- Acidophilus and bifidus (aka probiotic) supplement daily
- Reishi mushroom 300 mg daily as an immune system booster
- Mucoccocinum (a homeopathic “flu shot”) one tablet weekly during flu season¨

And for children (ages 2-12):
- Vitamin C 250-500 mg daily
- Vitamin D 400-800 IU daily
- Zinc 5 mg daily (as a zinc losange; not for children under 5)
- Elderberry, Reishi and Astragalus combination 1-2 tablets daily
- Mucoccocinum half to one tablet weekly (see note at end)

These supplements are ideally in addition to a wholesome whole foods diet of organic fruits
and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds (raw) and high quality organic meats and eggs.
It is important to limit dairy, and to avoid non-organic dairy altogether, as excessive intake
can increase mucous production and trap viruses in the mucous membranes of the nose,
throat and lungs. Avoid sugar as sugar will encourage pathogen growth. Be sure to get
plenty of rest, fresh air and exercise.

What do I do, given I have chosen not to have my daughter (or myself) vaccinated against
the seasonal and swine flus? Keep my own system as healthy as possible by eating organic
foods, avoiding toxin exposure (in foods, cleaning products, personal care products),
drinking clean water, exercising, getting enough rest and sleep and taking a high quality
multivitamin, toxin free fish oil, vitamin D and greens supplements daily. When I have been
feeling overtired, have come into contact with someone who has any viral symptoms or have
been traveling on an airplane I ensure I take immune system supplements such as Reishi
mushroom, Astragalus, or Echinacea to help increase the important immunoglobulins
(antibodies) that I pass to my daughter through immune fortifying breast milk.
And in so doing we can breathe easy knowing that when we are exposed to any virus – be it
H1N1 or any of the other Influenza A strains that we know as the “seasonal flu” – that our
bodies are strong and will be able to mount the appropriate and suitable response, leaving us
healthy and strong.

Dr. Julie Zepp

I don’t recommend these as a rule, as I believe the body is capable of fending for itself, given the right
support. However for those who do feel they want or need extra protection or are particularly
compromised, the use of homeopathic flu preparations can be very beneficial.

Did anyone see the show 18 Kids and Counting the other night? The Duggar’s first grandchild was born at home:-} It was a very calm and relaxed birth – the best example you could ever hope to be shown on TV. There wasn’t an ounce of drama or fear…it was heavenly! Even though I’m not very religious, I really like the Duggar’s, and it seems that most people like them. Perhaps this will entice more parents to consider homebirth.

I was surprised that they allowed the film crew at the birth since it’s Anna’s first child, and they’re VERY conservative, but I’m thrilled that they shared it. I don’t know how she did it, but Anna appeared to be fully clothed while giving birth!

You can see a clip on YouTube,

I’m always fascinated by how powerful our imaginations truly are. Below is a great article from the BBC about a study that was recently released about teaching children to use their imaginations as an effective pain relief treatment. I think it’s wonderful. Another way to incorporate the hypnobirthing techniques into our daily lives. I’m especially pleased that they spent money to research a natural and non-invasive technique such as this.

Next time your child says her tummy hurts, or his head hurts. Try this. And then of course, let us know how it work for your family.

Cheers,
Marie

A copy of the article is below. You can also read it at the BBC website http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/8299719.stm

Children can be taught to use their imagination to tackle frequent bouts of
stomach pain, research shows.

A relaxation-type CD, asking children to imagine themselves in scenarios
like floating on a cloud led to dramatic improvements in abdominal pain.

The US researchers said the technique worked particularly well in children
as they have such fertile imaginations.

It has been estimated that frequent stomach pain with no identifiable cause
effects up to one in five children.

The research, published in Pediatrics, follows on from studies showing
hypnosis is an effective treatment for a range of conditions known as
functional abdominal pain, which includes things like irritable bowel
syndrome.

” There is really a dearth of information on how to manage children with
abdominal pain “
Professor David Candy

In this study, the children had 20 minute sessions of “guided imagery” – a
technique which prompts the subject to imagine things which will reduce
their discomfort.

One example is letting a special shiny object melt into their hand and then
placing their hand on their belly, spreading warmth and light from the hand
inside the tummy to make a protective barrier inside that prevents anything
from irritating the belly

The researchers, from the University of North Carolina and Duke University
Medical Center, said a lack of therapists led them to the idea of using a CD
to deliver the sessions.

In all 30 children aged between six and 15 years took part in the study -
half of whom used the CDs daily for eight weeks and the rest of whom got
normal treatment.

Among those who had used the CDs, 73.3% reported that their abdominal pain
was reduced by half or more by the end of the treatment course compared with
26.7% in the standard care group.

In two-thirds of children the improvements were still apparent six months
later.

Anxiety

It is not clear exactly how the technique works but studies have shown it is
partly about reducing anxiety but there is also a direct effect on the pain
response.

Some researchers think hypnosis-like techniques reduce “hypersensitivity” in
conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Study leader Dr Miranda van Tilburg said it was especially exciting that the
children were able to use the technique on their own.

“Such self-administered treatment is, of course, very inexpensive and can be
used in addition to other treatments, which potentially opens the door for
easily enhancing treatment outcomes for a lot of children suffering from
frequent stomach aches.

“Children are very good at using their imagination – when you use this in
adults you have to overcome a barrier first.”

Professor David Candy, a consultant paediatric gastroenterologist at Western
Sussex Hospitals, said his team had tried hypnosis in a small group of
children with severe abdominal pain problems and had 100% success rate.

He added they are now keen to try the guided imagery technique to see if
they can replicate the US findings.

“There is really a dearth of information on how to manage children with
abdominal pain and it’s a very common problem which keeps children out of
school.”

Story from BBC NEWS:

Published: 2009/10/09 23:00:40 GMT

Interesting thing I found on About.com. This a service provided through about.com and you / moms / anyone can sign up to receive one daily affirmation for a healthy, happy pregnancy along with some interesting links about pregnancy and birth. I suggested it to some my moms and everyone seems to enjoy this daily reminder in the e-mail, affirming their wellness in being pregnant.

Here is the link if you are interested.

http://www.ask.com/bar?q=affirmations+pregnancy&page=1&qsrc=0&ab=1&title=Positive%20Pregnancy%20Affirmations&u=http%3A%2F%2Fpregnancy.about.com%2Fod%2Fpregnantbody%2Fa%2Faffirmations.htm

I just wanted to share how wonderful the HypnoBirthing conclave was in Florida. I spent 6 days learning wonderful things, meeting all these great hypnobirthing practitioners from all over the world and the icing on the cake… the conference was at a hotel on the beach. So I got to play in the waves everyday after all the learning was done.

Cool things that I learned…

1. Hypnosis for Fertility – I’m now a certified hypnofertility therapist – which means that I work with couples who are trying to convince to help them create that best mental state conductive for getting pregnant and to support any medical treatments that they might be doing as well.

2. Hypnosis for Postpartum Depression… techniques to work with women one on one dealing with ppd. By creating new beliefs in the subconscious and by releasing trauma, a woman can tap into her own healing energy.

3. The role of symbols in birthing… in particular the circle and spiral.

4. How to have an orgasmic birth… what are the conditions that make this experience of pleasure more likely to occur during birth.

5. A new natural supplement available for women after birth which ensures a good milk supply, prevents postpartum depression, significantly reduces the postpartum bleeding, and gives you a real good energy (not all the caffenine frenzied kind)… but the real I have lots of vitality and vigor to do stuff energy.

6. How to be an even better hypnobirthing instructor… ways to make my classes even more inspiring and powerful.

So so awesome. Thanks for listening to me gush.

Below is a link to a great little singing ditti that a barbershop quartet did on hypnobirthing as a salute to Mickey Mongan for founding the method 20 years ago. As an aside, the picture Mickey is holding in her hands is the original Life magazine article about childbirth without fear, that she read as a teenager which inspired her own 4 fearless, and painless joyful births and inspired the whole hypnobirthing movement. So cool.

Check it out. It’s really funny.

“When is this baby going to come?” I think that’s a question that many expectant moms ask themselves as they approach the end of the last trimester. It can be hard to be patient when you feel that you are done with being pregnant and all the physical stuff is in place: the car seat has been purchased, the hospital bag has been packed for weeks, and the super sweet nursery is all set.

Despite the challenges of waiting for baby to arrive, there is a some very convincing evidence coming out that babies need that time in utero. We consider healthy human gestation to be between 38 to 42 weeks, with the average being 40 weeks. In the past, inductions of labour were common at 39 weeks simply because the doctors and patients believed that there was no reason to stay pregnant any longer. (There are places where this is still the case). However now I find that most care providers, both doctors and midwifes, will hold off on inductions unless there is a strong reason for it such as high blood pressure or toxemia. Actually the desire to induce quite often comes from the pregnant woman herself. She simply is not aware of the benefits of letting baby choose when to be born. So if you are considering induction or have a friend who is considering induction, please be aware of the following advantages to waiting.

1. Spontaneous labours have better outcomes! Labours that start on their own are healthier for both moms and babies. When your body and baby are not ready for labor, induction tends to lead to a more long drawn out labour that often necessitates or precipitates other interventions.

Induced labours result in a higher number of c-sections, epidurals (which have their own risks & side effects), instrumental deliveries (forceps and vaccuum extraction), and uterine rupture from overly strong uterine contractions (the risk for women without a prior cesarean is 1-3%. This risk is greater if your prior birth was a cesarean.)

Artificial labor induction also requires the use of other interventions. IV fluids and fetal monitoring either externally or internally are generally used with artificial induction. These interventions come with their own risks. In addition, labour can be more painful because the contractions may become unnaturally strong.

For babies, it has been linked to increased fetal distress as well as poor health condition at birth (as rated by the apgar score).

2. More time in utero seems to make babies smarter! New research came out of McGill University which links early dates with lowered IQ in Babies. Now granted we aren’t talking about a huge difference in IQ scores, only 1.7 points, but the number of participants in the study was very large, 18 000 participants. I think that it’s enough to make a parent pause and reflect.

The globe and mail recently published any article outlining the findings of the study.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/babies-iqs-suffer-with-fewer-than-br39-weeks-in-womb-study-finds/article1194308/

As we know, the brain development accelerates during those last three or four weeks, and it is not the same kind of development that occurs out of the womb once the baby is born. I always make a point of emphatically letting parents in my classes know that an early induction interferes with the normal brain development. There is often an emphasis on the development of the lungs as the last bit of development, but not so. The brain is still working in there and continues for weeks after. Giving the brain the time it needs is a good idea.

So if you are considering induction of labour, then this new information is quite definitely food for thought.

Sam, a Childbirth Educator in Toronto and author of the BabyReady blog also has a really good discussion about this topic.
http://blog.babyready.ca/2009/07/induction-of-labour-why-are-we-in-such.html

I will leave you with Sam’s wise words…

Between you and your care provider you will determine what to take from research such as this. The point of me taking some time to put my thoughts out into the “blogosphere” is simply to offer you a few reminders as to why it is okay to stay pregnant a little while longer. I know the ankles get puffy, the hips hurt and the trips to the toilet are infuriating at times. Savour this time though. It won’t be long before you have to share your baby with several other people and this private and intimate relationship you and your baby have created will change forever. You **will** miss being pregnant. Don’t rush it to happen too soon.

Ahren comes over and asks me if him and Julia can play outside. Immediately I want to say no, but then I take a step back and ask myself why do I want to say no? It’s because our neighbour is in the process of replacing our shared fence and for that reason our backyard is currently not fenced in. I’m wanting to say no because I want Julia and Ahren to be safe and I’m not sure that Ahren will stay in the backyard and not wander off. The solution… a yes, if. Yes, they can play outside if they stay in the backyard where I can see them while I wash dishes.

Yes, if parenting is the idea that as much as possible we try to fulfill the requests of our children (meeting their needs) but at the same time putting in stipulations so that our needs as parents are also meet.

After stories have been read, teeth been brushed and being tucked in, Julia tells me that she can’t sleep. She wants to read more stories. Again… I want to say no.
Her needs… Not sleepy, wants more stories
My needs… I need some no kid time at the end of my day

Solution: yes, if… Yes she can read stories, if she reads them to herself and she turns her light off and goes to sleep when she gets tired.

Result: both of us are happy and both us have our need meet.

So the next time that your child asks you something and you immediately want to say no to the request, take a step back and think about why you are wanting to say no. Is there a safety issue? Is there something you are worried that won’t get done? Really reflect on your own motivations for saying no. Then figure out if there is a way to offer your child a conditional yes. A yes with a condition that meets your needs. When your children are young, like mine, the idea for the condition will likely have to come from you, but as child gets bigger so does their capacity for problem solving. They will very quickly begin to suggest conditions so that their requests are granted. I first learned this technique as a teacher and I can attest to the power that children have to problem solve when they are highly motivated to do so.

Here’s an example from my teaching days. It’s the end of gym class and the kids have a few minutes for free play with some of the equipment. Four children come over and ask to play with the scooters. (Little square boards with 4 wheels on the bottom). I want to say no because last time they played with them, too many of them ran into each other and got hurt. Because these kids are older and because I had been doing this for a while with them, I did not suggest the conditions for a yes if. I simply stated my concern about the safety issue and asked them if they had ideas on how to make the scooters safe. And sure enough, they rose to the occasion. They suggested moving the benchs to section off a portion of the gym for scooters and allowing only a couple of students on scooters are a time. Again the end result… they were happy because they got to play with the scooters. I was happy because everyone stayed safe.

So can you use this technique with your own kids?

I’ll leave you with a yes, if.

Yes you can use it, if you promise to let me know how it goes.

Hello everyone,

This is fascinating theory and interesting reading. The article is written by Jesse Bering, research psychologist of Queen’s University Belfast.

Again, a disclaimer. The intent of republishing this article is not to make anyone feel guilty if they were unable to breastfeed. As moms we have too many opportunities to feel guilt and for the most part it has no healthy purpose other than to make us feel bad. No. Rather I post this because I believe it may explain in part why breastfeeding helps women deal more positively with the psychological changes that follow the birth of a baby. And why women who aren’t able to breastfeed should be allowed to grieve that loss.

Marie

Discussions of breastfeeding versus bottle-feeding usually focus on the baby: What’s best in terms of nutrition? Or an infant’s future mental health?

But we’re going to take a different route. Let’s talk about the mother, and more specifically, the changes in her body as it readies itself to nourish a hungry newborn. With her breasts enlarged and hormones flowing, what happens if no newborn appears to suckle? How will her body—and brain—react?

First, a little background. The obvious physical changes in the pregnant human body (including swelling breasts) occur in response to escalating levels of the hormones prolactin, lactogen, estrogen, progesterone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and growth hormone. Placental birth serves as a sort of trigger event signaling to the mother’s body that it’s time to begin releasing milk. The baby’s physical suckling behavior—that is to say, lips tugging on teats—stimulates the first ejections, but eventually milk flow can start up by simply thinking about the baby, smelling it, or hearing it cry. “Involution,” the physiological process by which women’s breasts revert back to those dormant objects that give so much pleasure to adult human males, coincides with slowly weaning the growing infant away from breast milk and onto regular foods.

So what happens when, for whatever reason, mothers do not breastfeed their healthy infants? According to a new theory being proposed by University of Albany evolutionary psychologist Gordon Gallup and his colleagues, the decision to bottle-feed is tantamount, in the mother’s psyche, to mourning the loss of the child. At least, that’s how a woman’s body seems to respond to the absence of a suckling infant at its breasts in the wake of a successful childbirth. In a soon-to-be-published article in Medical Hypotheses, the authors argue that bottle-feeding simulates the unsettling ancestral condition of an infant’s death:

Opting not to breastfeed precludes and/or brings all of the processes involved in lactation to a halt. For most of human evolution the absence or early cessation of breastfeeding would have been occasioned by miscarriage, loss, or death of a child. We contend, therefore, that at the level of her basic biology a mother’s decision to bottle feed unknowingly simulates child loss.

There is at least correlational evidence to support this evolutionary claim, too. For example, in a paper presented earlier this year at the annual meeting of the Northeastern Evolutionary Psychology Society, Gallup and his colleagues reported their findings that, among a sample of 50 mothers recruited from local pediatric clinics and who had given birth in the previous 4-6 months, those who bottle fed scored significantly higher on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale than breastfeeders did. This effect panned out even after controlling for the mother’s age, education, income and relationship status with her current partner.

Another telling finding to emerge was that the bottle-feeding mothers reported wanting to hold their babies significantly more than the breastfeeders did, which the authors believe:

…parallels findings among nonhuman primates where in response to the death of an infant, mothers of some species have been known to tenaciously hold, cling to, and carry their infants for prolonged periods after they die.

It’s an interesting (if morbid) idea that bottle-feeders are implicitly conceptualizing their babies as corpses, but there are plenty of alternative interpretations. For example, these women may simply want to make up for lost bonding time that would otherwise occur during breastfeeding. In any event, if Gallup’s theory about the “unnaturalness” of bottle-feeding simulating child loss holds up in future studies, it would have obvious, and important, clinical applications. This would also be an excellent example of how evolutionary psychological explanations of human behavior can improve the quality of human life. Of course the reasons for bottle-feeding are complex and many, and not all women have the luxury of a choice in this regard. But for those who do, the present logic may give new meaning to the expression “breast is best”—if not for infants, then at least for their mothers.