Combatting stress in pregnancy

Some scientists now believe that the effect of the life in the womb on emotional and physical health may be greater than that of the genes we inherit. The conditions in the uterus, ranging from mother's hormones to the nutrients supplied through the placenta, may significantly determine how a baby's liver, heart, kidneys, brain and mind will function during the adulthood.

Research has shown that if mothers during pregnancy ingested such substances as alcohol, cocaine, caffeine, and tobacco, they could harm their babies' physical and mental health, notably, lower the birth weight, height, and head circumference, and impair attention, memory, intelligence, and temperament. Likewise, we have known for a while that if a mother experiences excessive stress or suffers from an emotional trauma, her baby may be born with certain deficiencies which may persist into adulthood and cause more complications.

We are still trying to understand how stress and a mother's emotional state affects her unborn baby. Take, for example, a stress hormone called Cortisol. When we are under stress, we manufacture cortisol. If you experience occasional stress, cortisol doesn't create a problem. However, if you remain under stress for a long time, cortisol may be too much for your body to handle. Cortisol can cause high blood pressure problems. A mother's excessive Cortisol can reach the baby in the womb and, for example, can raise the baby's set point for blood pressure forever. In turn this baby, later in life, could be more prone to high blood pressure.

Many mothers during pregnancy face extremely stressful circumstances. Others are confronted with such unhealthy situations as the break-up of their relationship, physical or emotional abuse, open infidelity, job stress, and financial worries. These mothers experience constant stress, shame, loneliness and, sometimes, clinical depression during pregnancy or after giving birth.

The babies of these mothers are exposed to a variety of stress hormones, toxins and malnutrition inside the womb. Some may later become hyperactive, inattentive, or temperamental and exhibit poor self-control. Many of these children are later medicated with Ritalin or antidepressants. Not everyone understands that the problems a child exhibits today may have resulted from events that occurred several years ago. Could there be a link to stress in pregnancy and autism? As time goes on and our lives become more stressful, the incidence of this condition seems to be rising. A definitive cause for autism has not been established.

There are limited resources for people who have anxiety and depression, and people suffering from stress are often unsure of where to go for help. In addition, when referred for therapy, many feel embarrassed and do not want to admit the need for psychological consultation. Their partners or families may not encourage them to seek help because the problem it is not seen as a medical one. Doctors may be reluctant to prescribe psychiatric medications because of pregnancy or breast-feeding considerations.

Thus, a woman in such a situation suffers alone and remains isolated from her support system. She is expected to transcend all such adverse circumstances, and some do. Others don't have the emotional strengths to cope. Some have struggled with depression and anxiety all their lives. Moreover, even when they are seemingly coping with the excessive stress, they might still be constantly producing stress hormones and toxins and some will reach the baby in the womb.

Could maternal stress in pregnancy cause physical malformations? Maternal stress is also linked with imperfections in the developing nervous system which can lead to problems of perception, thinking, and memory. People who are stressed in pregnancy are more prone to postpartum blues and depression which could have consequences for mother/infant bonding.

All of us want happy children. Happy children grow out of happy babies. Happy babies are born to happy mothers. Therefore, partners, families and friends of expectant mothers should do their best to make an expectant mother happy and relaxed. If she is depressed, nervous, or tense, encourage her to seek help. I have tried to create this blog to point women in this situation to tools that can help and educate them. Please talk to your doctor. Join a support group. You are not alone.

Other things to consider:

1. Relax in a bath. It doesn't have to last an hour. A ten minute bath can help you sleep, and a well rested person can deal with stress better than a tired person. Pregnancy relaxing bath

2. Make sure your prenatal supplement contains Omega 3/fish oil/DHA. Pregnancy vitamin with DHA/Omega3 Not only is it good for your baby's brain development, but it can help your mood.

3. Listen to an uplifting CD. Affirmations are available on CD affirmation cd pregnancy and can be downloaded to your IPOD, iPhone, or portable music device. Also consider religious music.

4. Exercise naturally elevates your endorphin levels. Ask your doctor if yoga or walking are Pregnancy walking exercise video appropriate for you.
Click here to order pregnancy yoga video

Autism and Pregnancy

If a couple already has a child with autism, the possibility of having another one is approximately 8 percent. Autism Spectrum Disorders are sometimes treated with nutrient supplementation. If you have a previous child with autism, or a family member with autism, you may consider tailoring your supplement intake to include the supplements given to treat autism to give yourself the extra "edge".

Neither a disease nor a mental illness, autism is a behavioral syndrome that originates early in life, possibly well before birth. Many children with autism are deficient in digestive enzymes, resulting in poor digestion and inadequate absorption of nutrients. Research published by the Defeat Autism Now! Project (DAN!) on the “Nutritional Status of Autistic Children”, and also by Tim Buie, M.D. of the Harvard Pediatric Gastroenterology Department, and others shows that most autistic children have a number of nutritional deficiencies. For example, low vitamin B6, zinc, vitamins A and D, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, low B1, B3, and B5 function, low methionine levels, and low levels of essential fatty acids such as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, a component of omega-3 fatty acid) and GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid), abnormal mineral levels, and many others.

The B12, biotin, B1, B3, and B5 can often be found together in a complex formulation, and in liquid and sublingual forms.

Magnesium supplementation during pregnancy has also been studied for brain development enhancing properties, so it would be great to make sure you are getting this in your prenatal vitamin.

Magnesium and vitamin B6 have been used the longest for autism, with good effect. The upper safe limit in pregnancy of Magnesium is 350 mg and Vitamin B6 is 100 mg.

Most prescription prenatal vitamins have adequate B6, vitamins A and D, folate, and vitamin B12. Some include DHA and or EPA, so make sure you do not miss this supplement. It is available separately if you are not currently taking it. Some have biotin and zinc, check your supplement to see if you need to take these separately. They are widely available and inexpensive.

Vitamin B12: This vitamin is becoming very popular and is available orally, sublingually, or an IM injection. In addition to helping neurochemistry, it increases glutathione antioxidant status.

Folate: Another enzyme important for neurochemistry function, the methylated folate (5-MTHF) is indicated in autism. The methylating enzyme, dihydrofolate reductase, can be inhibited in autism. Your carrier status of this enzyme deficiency can be assessed by a simple blood test. See my blog on MTHFR.

cut and paste this link or see side panel http://naturalwomenscare.blogspot.com/2010/07/folic-acid-metabolism-problems.html

Zinc: Wonderful for the immune system, zinc also balances copper in the body. The copper level in autistic children is usually high, and can be removed with supplemental zinc.

Antioxidants: Inflammation causes oxidation, which destroys the body, even the neurons. Most children with autism have decreased antioxidant levels. A plethora of antioxidants are available, including Vitamins A, C, E, Selenium, Zinc, CoQ10.

Glutathione is the body's master antioxidant. It helps to regenerate stores of other antioxidants like Vitamin C and E. It also protects both mother and fetus from the damaging effects of free radicals and oxidative stress. Many pregnancy complications and birth defects have been linked to oxidative stress, free radical damage and low glutathione levels in the mother and fetus.Glutathione can be obtained from food sources like Watermelon, Avocado, Asparagus, Broccoli, Grapefruit, Strawberry, Orange and Tomato.

Although clinical studies appear to be lacking, some naturopathic practitioners believe that intestinal malfunctioning may contribute to autism symptoms. If this is true, then supplementing with digestive enzymes may help to boost the body's natural digestive process. If you suffer from heartburn, gallstones, or are lactose intolerant... you may find additional benefits to taking digestive enzymes.


I have a Calcium/Magnesium/Vitamin D/Zinc supplement and a Coenzyme Q10/Omega 3 supplement that many of my patients add to their prenatal regimen. They are taking it for reasons not related to Autism, as I usually suggest it for hypertension and preeclampsia prophylaxis. Click on the link to enter my online store or cut and paste the link below if you do not find the supplements elsewhere.

http://shop.NATURALWOMENSCARE.COM/

If you smoke cigarettes or marijuana, stop immediately, talk to your physician if you need help.
Avoid artificial colors, flavorings, and sweeteners.

Check with your physician before starting any supplementation program. This advice is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease and these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.