Human Colostrum and Breast Milk

Source: SAGE journals

This study proved traces of TRAIL ( known anti-cancer agent) in human breast milk

" To our knowledge, this is the first time that TRAIL has

been measured in colostrum and human breast milk. This

study has revealed much higher TRAIL concentrations in

colostrum and breast milk compared to the levels of circulating

serum TRAIL. Although previous studies have

shown that breast cells express TRAIL,

 it was unexpected

that the mean level of soluble TRAIL detected in colostrum

reached 48.6 ng/mL, approximately 2-fold higher than the level

previously reported in the conjunctival sac fluid

approximately 40-fold greater than the level measured in

human saliva,

and > 400-fold greater than the level found

in human serum. Although we observed a significant

decline in levels of TRAIL in human breast milk measured

at day 4 or 5, these concentrations were still much higher

than those usually found in human serum/plasma and were

in the range of concentrations that are able to kill cancer

cells.

5 ways pitocin is different than oxytocin

Source:About Pregnancy & Childbirth
The numbers of inductions of labor using artificial means like Pitocin and other medications has gone up dramatically in the last few years. A hospital in my area says that 90 of the women have their labors induced. Since science shows us that inducing labor can increase the numbers of complications in the labor and with the baby, you might be surprised to note that many of the inductions are not for medical reasons, but rather reasons of convenience, practitioner or mother, known as social induction.
One of the things that women tell me is that they are lead to believe that induction is completely safe and relatively easy, after all, Pitocin is just another form of the body's own oxytocin, right?
While this statement is generally true, artificially created hormones, including Pitocin do not act identically to the hormones in ones body. For example, in pregnancy both the mother and the baby produce oxytocin. The oxytocin produced by each reacts differently in the body because they each have separate jobs.
Here are five things that you may not know about Pitocin and how it can effect your labor:

Why do many formula-fed infants lack optimal health?

Benefits of breastfeeding

First ever DONA Doula Training April 26-28, 2012

Source: BirthKuwait

First ever DONA Doula Training April 26-28, 2012

6:30 AM0 comments

BirthKuwait, in partnership with Royale Hayat Hospital, is pleased to announce the first ever DONA Doula training in Kuwait, April 26-28th, 2012.
What is a Doula?

A Doula is a person who provides non-medical care for mothers during and immediately after birth. A Doula:

• Recognizes birth as a significant life experience.
• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotiona needs of a laboring woman.
• Provides continuous support, practrical comfort measures, and an objective viewpoint to aid in decision-making.
• Complements the care provided by the woman's partner and birth attendants.
• Protects and nurtures the memory of the birth experience.

Recent studies indicate the use of a doula:

• Decreases labor length by 25 percent.
• Decreases oxytocin use by 25 percent.
• Decreases mother's request for pain medication by 30 percent.
• Decreases cesareans by 50 percent.
• Increases father's participation level.

Birthing families and caregivers are welcoming doulas as the newest member of today's maternity care team.

The Workshop:

The Doula Training Workshop will be April 26-28th at Royale Hayat Hospital 9:00am-5:00pm.

The course fee is 150 KWD, and includes course training materials and meals.

*Nursing babies are welcome if they are quiet or if you have someone who can take them out of the room if need be.

The intensive three-day workshop will help the participant:

• Recognize the significance of chidbirth in the life of a woman.
• Demonstrate at least three prental and postpartum support skills.
• Devise a plan to offer optimal support in a variety of labor situations.
• Appraise personal values and their relationship to labor support.
• Assess standards of practice and plan methods of business management.

This DONA-approved Doula training workshop offers the expertise of a highly trained instructor, and uses supplementary text, videos, slides, and role-play to build theoretical knowledge and teach practical skills. A complete syllabus is included with the course. This training comprises one step in the certification process for Doulas of North America (DONA).

This course was designed and will be presented by Kristi Ridd-Young, an experienced midwife, doula, and childbirth educator. She is currently the President of the Midwives College of Utah and former DONA Administrative Director and board member. During her 19 years of teaching, Kristi has facilitated many doula trainings throughout the USA. She has been invaluable in helping many expectant mothers and their partners develop skills and the inner strength neeed to experience a positive birth. As a caring, compassionate doula, she has atteneded over 250 women. Kristi has been mentored by many of the leading experts in the field of childbirth, but most of all, she credits her six children and seven stepchildre for much of the wisdom and knowledge she shares.

Kristi @ recent doula workshop at Midwives College of Utah

Registration:

Please email your registration form to info@birthkuwait.com or sarahpaksima@gmail.com. If you want to print up your form, you can drop off your form with the registration fee to Sarah Paksima (Amwaj Towers, Gulf Road, Salmiya (5536-8636). Registration deadline is April 1st, 2012.

Milking health for all its worth

Source: Kuwait Times

Milking health for all its worth

Published Date: July 22, 2011
By Hussain Al-Qatari, Staff Writer

The bottles boil in a pot, the formula powder is carefully measured with a spoon and placed in little plastic containers. The water is boiled and cooled down to the right temperature and then poured into the bottles, mixed with the powder until it has completely dissolved. This may sound like an experiment in a lab, but it is what happens at home when a mother is bottle-feeding her baby.

Dr Mona Al-Sumaie, Head of the Breastfeeding Awareness Committee in the Ministry of Health says that breastfeeding is not only more beneficial for the child, but it is even easier for the mother. Sadly, in Kuwait, the majority of women do not breastfeed. "The efforts to raise awareness on that issue are very humble. We have a committee but the doctors on board work on various other projects throughout the year," she says. The committee educates young mothers about breastfeeding, gives out pamphlets and bro
chures that explains the difference between breastfeeding and formula milk.

The pediatrician says that breastfeeding is the way a mother naturally nurtures her baby, "It is a trend globally to breastfeed instead of using baby formula. Compared to the mother's milk, baby formula lacks a lot of nutrients and active ingredients that science cannot imitate yet. When a mother resorts to feeding her child formula, she is depriving the child from many benefits that have a long-lasting effect on the child's well-being," she says.

It is recommended that a mother breastfeeds for two years or more. Al-Sumaie noted that breastfeeding makes the child's immune system stronger, and it prevents obesity and many long-term diseases. It also promotes healthier and faster growth, "Breastfeeding is more importantly a way for a mother to bond with her baby. When an infant is born, it doesn't comprehend or speak, but it is very receptive. The act of breastfeeding is nurturing to the child physically and emotionally, and it is the natural way our
bodies are supposed to behave," she says.