Gentle Birth: A Calm Birth, A Peaceful Birth for your baby

Pregnancy and labour are supposed to be natural and normal events. They provide a woman with a unique opportunity to learn about her body and soul. A woman experiences changes in all aspects of her life as the pregnancy progresses, and thus can experience transformation into an intuitive, relaxed and receptive mother. She is given a chance to find out how powerful and competent she is by facilitating bringing a new life to this world.

" Whoever and however you intend to give birth, your experience will impact your emotions, your mind, your body, and your spirit for the rest of your life" Ina May Gaskin

 How does your body prepare for labour?

The transition from pregnancy to labor is a sequence of events, that often begins gradually.

The physiological transition from being a pregnant woman to becoming a mother means an enormous change for each woman, both physically and psychologically. Every system in the body is affected and the experience represents a major transition in a woman's life.

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.

Effect of stress separation later in life

Postnatal Serotonin Type 2 Receptor Blockade Prevents the Emergence of Anxiety Behavior, Dysregulated Stress-Induced Immediate Early Gene Responses, and Specific Transcriptional Changes that Arise Following Early Life Stress
Madhurima Benekareddy, Krishna C. Vadodaria, Amrita R. Nair, Vidita A. Vaidya
Received 11 February 2011; received in revised form 26 July 2011; accepted 11 August 2011. published online 30 September 2011.

Abstract Full Text PDF Images References Supplemental Materials
Background
Early life adverse experience contributes to an enhanced vulnerability for adult psychopathology. Recent evidence indicates that serotonin type 2 (5-HT2) receptor function, implicated in the pathophysiology of mood and anxiety disorders, is significantly enhanced in the maternal separation model of early life stress. We examined whether postnatal 5-HT2 receptor blockade would prevent the consequences of maternal separation on anxiety behavior and dysregulated gene expression.

Methods
Control and maternally separated litters received treatment with the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, ketanserin, or vehicle during postnatal life and were examined for effects on adult anxiety behavior, adult stress-induced immediate early gene expression responses, and transcriptional changes within the prefrontal cortex during postnatal life and in adulthood.

Results
Treatment with ketanserin during postnatal life blocked the long-lasting effects of maternal separation on anxiety behavior in the open field test and the elevated plus maze. Further, the dysregulated adult stress-induced expression pattern of the immediate early gene, Arc, observed in maternally separated animals was also prevented by postnatal ketanserin treatment. Ketanserin treatment normalized the alterations in the expression of specific genes in the prefrontal cortex of maternally separated animals, including changes in serotonin type 2A receptor messenger RNA expression during postnatal life and in genes associated with G-protein signaling in adulthood.

Conclusions
Postnatal treatment with the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, ketanserin, blocked specific consequences of maternal separation, including anxiety behavior and dysregulated gene expression in the prefrontal cortex. Our results suggest that enhanced 5-HT2 receptor function may contribute to the emergence of anxiety behavior and perturbed stress responses following early life stress.

Key Words: Activity-regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein (Arc), habituation, immobilization stress, ketanserin, maternal separation, prefrontal cortex

Breastfeeding Protects Against SIDS

Source: Medpage Today
Breastfeeding may substantially reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), especially when breast milk is the sole nutritional source, a meta-analysis showed.

Any breastfeeding was associated with an independent 45% reduction in risk of SIDS, Fern R. Hauck, MD, MS, of the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, and colleagues reported in the July issue of Pediatrics

.

Breastfeeding as the sole source of nutrition for any duration was associated with a 73% reduction in SIDS (summary odds ratio 0.27, 95% confidence interval 0.24 to 0.31).

This advantage adds to the many infant and maternal benefits of breastfeeding, the researchers noted.

"The recommendation to breastfeed infants should be included with other SIDS risk-reduction messages," the researchers recommended in the paper.

"Ideally, breastfeeding should be exclusive (ie, formula should not be given) for at least four to six months and should be continued until the infant is at least 1 year of age," Hauck's group suggested in concordance with American Academy of Pediatrics' guidelines for six months of exclusive breastfeeding and continuation through age 1 year.

Other factors linked in epidemiologic studies to lower risk of SIDS, such as pacifier use and keeping the baby in the same room but not the same bed as the mother, do not necessarily run counter to promoting breastfeeding, they noted.

The Breast Milk Cure ( Breastfeeding in Africa)

Have you ever wondered about breastfeeding in poor countries of Africa and how mother`s malnutrition can effect breastfeeding?

                                                                 Nicolas D Kristof

You can learn more from the piece in N.Y. Times 

What if nutritionists came up with a miracle cure for childhood malnutrition? A protein-rich substance that doesn’t require refrigeration? One that is free and is available even in remote towns like this one in Niger where babies routinely die of hunger-related causes?

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in New Mothers: Results from a Two-Stage U.S. National Survey

1. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in New Mothers: Results from Two-Stage U.S. National Survey 

Article first published online: 20 MAY 2011 
DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-536X.2011.00475.x

1. AUTHORS: Cheryl Tatano Beck DNSc, CNM, FAAN,
2. Robert K. Gable EdD, 
3. Carol Sakala PhD, MSPH, 
4. Eugene R. Declercq PhD, MBA

MIDWIFE`S NOTES:

Pregnancy and labour may be diffucult and painful expirience for some women,  leaving permanent impact on the life of the woman and her baby. This study identified main factors in onset of posttraumatic stress disorder. 
- low partner support
- elevated postpartum depressive symptoms
- more physical problems since birth
- less health-promoting behaviors
- eight variables significantly differentiated women who had elevated posttraumatic stress symptom levels from those who did not: no private health insurance, unplanned pregnancy, pressure to have an induction and epidural analgesia, planned cesarean birth, not breastfeeding as long as wanted, not exclusively breastfeeding at 1 month, and consulting with a clinician about mental well-being since birth. 

Human Milk for Human Babies HM4HB

HM4HB Global Network has brand new mission and vision statement! You can visit our local community in Kuwait : HM4HB- Kuwait

Our Mission

The mission of Human Milk 4 Human Babies Global Network is to promote the nourishment of babies and children around the world with human milk. We are dedicated to fostering community between local families who have chosen to share breastmilk.

Our Vision

HM4HB is a global milksharing network, a virtual village, comprised of thousands of people from over fifty countries. We are mothers, fathers, adoptive families, grandparents, childbirth and breastfeeding professionals, volunteers, supporters, donors, and recipients that have come together to support the simple idea that all babies and children have the right to receive human milk. We use social media as a platform for local families to make real-life connections and come together as sustainable milksharing communities where women graciously share their breastmilk. HM4HB is built on the principle of informed choice: we trust, honour, and value the autonomy of families and we assert they are capable of weighing the benefits and risks of milksharing in order to make choices that are best for them. We hold the space for them and protect their right to do what is normal, healthy, and ecological.

Pregnant women show an amazing lack of knowledge about childbirth options, study shows

Los Angeles Times asks how much we really know about our options in childbirth.
Fewer pregnant women and their partners are attending prenatal education classes these days and appear to be quietly following whatever advice the doctor or midwife recommends, researchers said Monday.




Doctors, led by Dr. Michael Klein of the Child & Family Research Institute and University of British Columbia, surveyed 1,318 healthy pregnant women. They found many seemingly unprepared to make their own decisions regarding childbirth options, such as whether to have natural childbirth or a Cesarean section.

Too Many C-Sections: Docs Rethink Induced Labor

Time analyses birthing culture in USA.
The rise in cesarean-section deliveries in recent years has been characterized by some as a key indication of the overmedicalization of childbirth. While the procedure undoubtedly saves lives and leads to better health outcomes for mothers and infants who face problems during pregnancy and labor, many experts say the procedure is being performed too often, and in many cases for nonmedical reasons, putting healthy women and babies at undue risk of complications of major surgery.

The rate of C-sections has reached more than 31% in the U.S., a historical high, according to 2007 data from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The reasons for the increase are many and have been widely discussed: the rising rate of multiple births, more obesity in pregnant women, the older age of women giving birth. In fact, C-sections have become so common that many women may have an inflated sense of safety about them. "For the most part, moms and babies go through the process healthy and come out healthy, so maybe there's this sense that we're invincible," says Dr. Caroline Signore of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Human Development.

Breastfeeding and Reduced Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: A Meta-analysis

American Academy of Pediatrics published results of the meta-analysis studying connection between breastfeeding and SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Results showed that breastfeeding lowers risk of postneonatal mortality ( death of newborn from any cause) including SIDS.

1. Fern R. Hauck, MD, MS, 
2. John M. D. Thompson, PhD,
3. Kawai O. Tanabe, MPH, 
4. Rachel Y. Moon, MD,
5. Mechtild M. Vennemann, MD, PhD

1. ABSTRACT

   Context: Benefits of breastfeeding include lower risk of postneonatal mortality. However, it is unclear whether breastfeeding specifically lowers sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) risk, because study results have been conflicting.

C-section not best option for breech birth (Research)

The Globe and mail informs us about a new guidelines for birthing breech positioned baby.

Physicians should no longer automatically opt to perform a cesarean section in the case of a breech birth, according to new guidelines by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada.

Released yesterday, the guidelines are a response to new evidence that shows many women are safely able to vaginally deliver babies who enter the birth canal with the buttocks or feet first. Normally, the infant descends head first.

Hospital restricts free formula baby milk for newborns to encourage mothers to breastfeed

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Last updated at 3:29 AM on 2nd June 2011

Breast is best: Mothers in Hull and East Yorkshire who insist on using formula milk will be provided with just one bottle after giving birth

An NHS trust has stopped providing free formula milk for new babies in an attempt to encourage more mothers to breastfeed.

Those who do not will be expected to take their own formula milk to hospital or send out a relative to buy some. Maternity staff will only have access to a ‘small emergency stock’.

Mothers who insist on using formula milk will be provided with just one bottle after giving birth.

The decision by Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust backs up the Government’s ‘breast is best’ campaign which recommends that babies have breast milk for at least six months.

Eight in ten women in England start the natural way, but by six weeks fewer than half are still breastfeeding.

Liz Mason, the Hull Trust’s infant feeding co-ordinator, said babies who are bottle-fed formula milk are at a higher risk of obesity and childhood diabetes.

Despite sustained publicity about the health benefits, the UK has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe, with around 20 per cent of new mothers never making any attempt.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1393353/Hospital-restricts-free-formula-baby-milk-newborns-encourage-mothers-breastfeed.html#ixzz1OW5XJIkz

My Hypnobirthing experience with Katharine Graves

I consider myself  curios person who like to explore new things. My main interests are ways of self-improvement & self-development. I m also very keen on discovering secrets of consciuoss& subconsciouss mind. So this time I challenged myself to find out about Hypnobirthing. I took Hypnobirthing course with Mrs. Katharine Graves May 5th-May 8th, 2011 and trained as hypnotherapy teacher/ practitioner. I really did`t have any idea what to expect, so if you are curious too, let s begin:

What is Hypnobirthing?
Hypnobirthing is pre-natal series of classes using relaxation techniques, breathing, positive suggestion and visualisations to programme your mind  to reach the state of relaxation and harmony. This will enable you to be calm and collected even in otherwise stressful situations.

"It is simply a way of releasing some of the un-helpful and debillitating beliefs and assumptions that we have acquired on our journey through life. It can actually control pain.

There is no magic to achieving success with self-hypnosis.
Almost anyone who chooses to can reach deep relaxation and redirected focus.

Weight management in pregnancy

Obesity in pregnancy is one of factors contributing to poorer pregnancy and delivery results. Therefore it is adviced to adjust maternal weight before pregnancy and maintaining optimal weight while pregnant.
Weight is evaluated by BMI Body Mass Index, you can calculate yours on  BMI Calculator.

Many hospitals provide specialised clinics like Cedar Clinic of Epsom and St Helier University Hospital, part of NHS  in UK for mothers with MBI more than 35.

"The aim of this pioneering clinic is to provide support, advice and individualised care, with dignity and respect for your wishes, and to achieve a good outcome for you and your baby.At your first appointment with the Cedar team, a detailed history of your medical and personal history will be taken and we will give advice in regards to your nutrition and physical activities.

Socioeconomic Value of the Midwife

RCM The Royal College of Midwives UK published paper on Socioeconomic value of Midwife. Results showed that Midwifey-led care has lower rates of interventions and also lower rates of cesarian sections, thus could be less costly. However more studies and up-to date economic evaluations are needed.

Preventing type 2 Diabetes ( PH 35 NICE)

NICE National Institute for for Health and Clinical Excellence in UK which makes recommendations to NHS ( National Health System) in UK published new guidelines of Preventing Diabetes Type 2 ( this type of diabetes is influenced by lifestyle )

State of Kuwait is one of the leading countries with high incidence of Diabetes Type 2 due to high rates of obesity, high energy foods- especially fat-saturated ( fast food), lack of regular activity and exercise.

NHS defines diabetes as follows:

Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes is a group of disorders with a number of common features characterised by raised blood glucose. In England the four commonest types of diabetes are:

Mom’s hug revives baby that was pronounced dead

MSNBC Today reported about  Mom`s hug revives baby that was pronounced dead

"Kate Ogg was told her newborn son Jamie had died after efforts to resuscitate the premature infant had failed shortly after his birth. But when Kate was given the chance to say goodbye to the apparently lifeless baby, she and her husband, David, found they were instead saying hello to the newest member of their family.

Now 5 months old and healthy, baby Jamie and his twin sister, Emily, appeared on TODAY Friday with their proud parents, who told the amazing tale of what happened to them in a Sydney, Australia, hospital last March.

Breastfed babies develop fewer behaviour problems (BMJ)

BBC Health News reported May 11, 2011 that breastfed babies have fewer behavioral problems with comparison to formula fed babies based on results of Millenium Cohort Study.

"10 037 mother–child pairs from white ethnic background (9525 term and 512 preterm children) were included in the analyses. Duration of breast feeding (at all or exclusively) was ascertained from parental interview at study baseline, when the children were aged 9 months. Child behaviour was assessed using a parent-completed questionnaire, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The authors used logistic regression to investigate the associations of breastfeeding duration with abnormal parent-rated SDQ total and subscores at age 5 in term and preterm children separately."

Is homebirth safe?

Canadian Medical Association published in their journal CMAJ results of study about safety of planned homebirths and births in hospital: Outcomes of planned home birth with registered midwife versus planned hospital birth with midwife or physician in 2009

Study compared the outcomes of both types of births where most important factors were rate of perinatal mortality ( death of mother), obstetric interventions ( like forceps or vacuum) and neonatal outcomes ( newborn health).

Evidence-based practice in providing care for the mothers and babies

Milbank Memorial Fund defines Evidence-based maternity practice as:

"Evidence-based maternity care uses the best available research on the safety and effectiveness of specific practices to help guide maternity care decisions and to facilitate optimal outcomes in mothers and newborns. Although the field of pregnancy and childbirth pioneered evidence-based practice, resulting in a wealth of clear guidance for evidence-based maternity care, there remains a widespread and continuing underuse of beneficial practices, overuse of harmful or ineffective practices, and uncertainty about effects of inadequately assessed practices."

Evidence-based maternity practice is ongoing and developing model of practice which uses the latest scientific research to provide best possible up-to-date health care for mothers and babies. This initiative is based mainly in USA.

"In order to inform coverage and clinical policy decision making for maternity care, Childbirth Connection (CC), the Reforming States Group (RSG), and the Milbank Memorial Fund (MMF) collaborated to write, review, and publish this report. The report presents a discussion of current maternity care in the U.S. health care system and identifies key indicators that show the need for improvement. The report further summarizes results of the many systematic reviews that could be used to improve maternity care quality, identifies barriers to the use of evidence-based maternity care, and offers policy recommendations and other strategies that could lead to wider implementation of evidenced-based maternity care in the United States. These maternity care quality concerns and opportunities for improvement are not widely recognized at this time."