LifeCare Chiropractic

The Best Chiropractic Care in Mesa, Arizona

healthy pregnancy

Nausea in Pregnancy: Do We Know What Causes It?

by

It never ceases to surprise me how little we know about very common health and disease scenarios, so it’s nice when we get a peek into some of the more problematic ones.

Nausea is a pretty well accepted thing with pregnancy. No one actually looks forward to it, but most women manage to get through it. Personally, I have always felt that it somehow relates to hypoglycemia (after all, that little developing nugget in the womb is using so much glucose you can almost hear the sucking sound…). This is why it is more common in the morning and why B6 and more frequent eating seems to help in some cases.

But when the nausea gets so severe that the mere thought of food leads to projectile vomiting, nausea of pregnancy gets its own name: Hyperemesis gravidarum.

Even the name is scary. The danger in this condition is nutrient (both macro and micro) deficieny to a degree that can harm the growth of the developing baby.

The only answer that we have had for this condition is anti-emetic drugs like Compazine, Phenergan or Zofran. In same cases steroids may be used. Steroid use during pregnancy has some concerns and Zofran is ridiculously expensive.

But what if we could begin to identify factors that increased the risk of sufferering from hyperemesis gravidarum? This particular study does just that.

In it, researchers looked at what diagnostic factors may be associated with the presence of HG. Here’s what they found:

• There was no relationship between ketonuria (ketones in the urine—a sign of malnutrition) and presence or severity of HG.
• HCG, thyroid hormones, leptin, estradiol, progesterone and white blood count were not consistently related to HG.
• However, those who had HG were 320% more likely to have markers for H Pylori (the “ulcer” bacteria).

For years, I have contended that H. pylori is not the problem. Rather, H. pylori is an opportunistic pathogen that rises to the top and creates problems like ulcers only when conditions are ideal. Probably one of the most important factors I can think of is probiotics.

I know—you’re thinking, “UGH!! Not again!”

Don’t shoot me—I’m just the messenger. And yes, it is entirely possibly that probiotics early on in pregnancy (or even before) could potentially lower the chance of developing HG. I have never recommended probiotics for HG, although after this study it is definitely now going to be on the list of recommendations.

Can We Stop Allergies Before They Start In the Womb?

by

Allergies can be characterized by an imbalance in the way that our immune system reacts to things.  We need balance in our immune system, but this balance is trained; it is not hard wired.

On one side, we have the cell-mediated immune cells, referred to as the Th1 cytokine profile.  Too much of this arm of the immune system leads to autoimmune disorders where the body tries to attack itself.  On the other side we have the Th2 cytokine profile, also referred to as humoral immune system.  This is responsible for keeping things out of the body.  Too much of this system leads to allergies and asthma.

These systems are present in your body early as early as the womb and remain with you throughout your life.  The balance between the Th1 and Th2 systems is constantly in flux.  Get an infection?  Your Th1 system kicks in to fight off the invader, be it a virus, bacteria or fungus.  Dust storm kicked up in Phoenix?  Your Th2 system will kick in to deal with the dust coming in through the respiratory system.

This is how it is designed to work.  At least in a perfect world that isn’t subject to the manipulations by mainstream medicine and our Westernized lifestyle.  Antibiotics, sterile lifestyles, vaccinations and unhealthy diets all contribute.

But just how early do the dietary factors kick in?

According to this particular study, they may begin as early as in the womb.

Healthy fats play a strong role in the function and balance of the immune system.  In a study that was originally designed to look at fish oil supplementation (DHA and EPA) on depressive symptoms in pregnant women, the researchers looked at the cytokine balance (Th1 / Th2) in the cord blood of these babies born to the mothers in this study.  Here’s what they found:

  • Omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy resulted in immune balance consistent with less allergies.
  • Even more surprising, C-section delivery was associated with an immune balance consistent with more allergies.

Pretty interesting information, especially considering that we already know that C-section births lead to a higher risk of allergies in the child.  Personally, I have always felt that this finding was due to the difference in bacterial exposure from not passing through the birth canal, but I’m always open to new ideas.

The bottom line is that the balance, or imbalance, of the immune system begins as early as the womb.  Mom’s dietary and supplementation choices, as well as the method of birth, can begin to influence the development of the immune system in the  as of yet unborn child.

Do This in Pregnancy and You May Harm Your Baby

by

Stress seems to predominate in society today.  While I seem to have this internal broken record playing that line over and over in my head, it’s really just because the medical research demonstrating associations between chronic disease and stress is so overwhelming.

Stress destroys you.  Period.  No matter how much you try to rationalize it to yourself, few things you actually are stressing about right now are worth the destruction it is causing you inside.

Of course, it is bad enough when the stress affects only your health.

But what about your unborn baby?

Stress shortens your life.  But what if it can shorten your baby’s life even BEFORE he or she is born??

I have discussed the concept of telomeres in a previous blog article that can be read by clicking here.  In summary, telomeres are like the wicks on the end of the DNA in your cells.  The shorter the wick, the less life that cell has left in it.  And much like the wick of a candle, as it burns down you don’t get more of it.

That means that anything you can do to preserve the length of the telomeres inside of your cells is a good thing.  We have solid research on the lifestyle choices that help to preserve telomere length.  Stress is on this “short” list.

Conversely, we have research that shows that shortened telomeres are associated with many chronic diseases like cancer.

With this knowledge, we can move back to this particular study.

Researchers evaluated a small group of pregnant women and measured the level of psychosocial stress the mothers were under during pregnancy.  They then evaluated the white blood cells (leukocytes) present in the cord blood at birth.

There was a clear association between stress levels in the mom and the length of the telomeres in the cord blood.

Now.  If you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant in the near future, ask yourself if the things you stress about are worth setting up your baby for chronic disease before they are even out of the womb.  If you’re having an internal debate right now, let me settle it–it’s NOT.

Beyond reconciling with the stressors, there are also powerful tools that you can use to manage stress.  These can include:

  1. Transcedental meditation
  2. Relaxation audio (CDs, MP3)
  3. Relaxation programs
  4. Biofeedback devices like the Resperate
  5. Exercise
  6. Pregnancy massage (ALWAYS a good idea…)

Fix it.  Now.  The stakes are higher than you can imagine.

EFFECTS OF DRUGS DURING PREGNANCY ON THE FETUS – (04-15-02)

by

Has the medicalisation of childbirth gone too far?

This article is along the same lines, with a focus on OB/GYN. I have many, many issues with the practice of this field as it is done today. I usually tell people that emergency medicine here in the US saves lives everyday and is based on clinic research. OB/GYN is at the opposite end of that scale. The widespread use of biopsy for abnormal paps when high dose folic acid may do; the lithotomy birth position being the one always used by not the position with the largest pelvic inlet; the episiotmy nightmares when the perineum would typically have remained intact; the reassurance that many drugs that are okay during pregnancy right up to the epidural (which is almost standard operating procedure) which are said not to have an effect on the fetus… The list is practically endless. But just in case you think I’m just a dumb chiropractor…check the medical literature yourself…

bmj.com Johanson et al. 324 (7342): 892 –

Read entire article here

Major Reason Why Stress Reduction is Vital Before Pregnancy

by

Preparation for a healthy pregnancy begins years before conception. A vital part of this includes managing stress.  But the reasons why may surprise you.

Every pregnant mom worries about having a healthy, happy baby.  They will do everything possible to make this happen.  Some changes are obvious–quit smoking, eat more fruits and vegetables, don’t clean the cat’s litterbox, take a good prenatal vitamin (which does NOT include the prescription brands!).  Others are more subtle.  These may include:

  1. Chemical exposure like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from grilling meats and burning candles and incense may affect your baby’s IQ
  2. Pesticides in fruits and vegetables may also lead to brain damage in the child
  3. Making sure you are taking adequate levels of vitamin D supplements

The list is actually quite a bit longer.  These items probably make sense because we know that things like chemicals are bad for a developing nervous system and that certain vitamins are absolutely essential.  But what about stress?

No one would be shocked to discover that stress is very bad for our health.  Studies have shown that stress almost doubles cancer risk as well as contributes to pretty much every chronic disease.  So what does this have to do with pregnancy?

Well, we already know that when we eat food that has been under stress, stress signals are passed up the food chain in a concept called xenohormesis.  This leads to the organism becoming more stressed because of the food they are eating.

In this particular study, researchers looked at what effect stress had on the offspring of rats.  The results do not bode well for the overly stressed human population of the developing world.  They found that a stressful exposure led to changes in the brain up to THREE generations later.

These changes were not changes in the genetics of the rats’ offspring, but rather the manner in which the genes were expressed.  Let’s look at it this way.  As a human, we do not have genes that predestine us to be obese.  But clearly we all have the potential to become obese.  This is not genetic, but rather it is the way our genes are behaving (and behaving badly, at that…) that produces the obesity.

When brought into this study and used in the obesity example, it would mean that you are obese because your great grandfather was obese.

Now, it’s not that simple for obesity and it’s certainly not be that simple for stress.  But imagine the ramifications if this is true.  Being a stress monster in your life may lead your child to respond poorly to stress in their lives.

Kind of puts stress into perspective, huh?

With this in mind, what could you possibly be stressing about that is THAT important?

The agony of modernity? The case of prolonged labor due to modern medicine

by

It is pretty obvious that obstetricians are not needed to delivery a baby.  Otherwise, we would not be here as a species.  That’s not to say that the high risk pregnancies do not benefit from obstetric attendance during pregnancy and the birth.  But what about everyone else?  Is it possible that mainstream medicine’s hand in the childbirth process creates more harm than benefit?

Clearly there are big issues in today’s society when it comes to fertility, healthy pregnancy, healthy deliveries and healthy babies.  The list of problems is quite long, but a few things are certain:

  1. Vaginal births have less complications
  2. Tylenol is not safe during pregnancy
  3. C-section babies start with altered bacterial flora compared to vaginal birth babies
  4. Antibiotics may increase the risk of preterm birth
  5. Healthier nutrition lowers risk of preterm birth
  6. There are many ways to lower the risk of birth defects
  7. Exposure to certain chemicals drastically increases your risk of losing the pregnancy
  8. Good dental health lowers the risk of preterm birth

 If you look at this short list, you’ll see that none of it has to do with medical care.  A truly healthy pregnancy does not require an obstetrician.  They should only be there if something goes wrong.  Instead, mainstream medicine seems to get an itchy trigger finger, trying to interfere with a normal pregnancy.  Not interfering in pregnancy just seems to be a hard thing to do.  The second that an intervention begins (stripping of the membranes, oxytocin, epidurals) the risk of heading towards a C-section increases.

This particular study puts a slightly different light on what modern obstetrics has done to the length of labor.

While I can’t speak from experience, I can imagine that, the shorter the labor, the better.  Researchers compared pregnancies from 50 years ago to today.  Some frightening facts emerged:

  1.  The epidural rate skyrocketed (55% vs 4%)
  2. Oxytocin use almost tripled (31% vs 12%)
  3. Cesarean delivery rates quadrupled (12% vs 3%)
  4. Labor was longer by 2.6 hours in first pregnancies and 2.0 hours in non first-timers

I would imagine that an extra 2.6 hours in labor would seem like an eternity to the woman waiting to have her first baby.  Clearly, there are times when mainstream medicine does not need to be involved in a natural process that has been ongoing for thousands of generations without a problem.

POSTNATAL SPECIFIC APPETITES AND FEEDING BEHAVIOR – (05-25-09)

by

Prenatal imprinting of postnatal specific appetites and feeding behavior

This phenomena comes up again and again and again and again in the medical literature. There is no longer any doubt that in-utero exposure to a variety of chemicals, situations and physiological states have an influence on the newborn both immediately and decades in the future. This is NOT being communicated to women of childbearing age nor to pregnant women at the level of concern that it needs to be.

Sure, pregnant women should not be smoking, but exposure to BPA and other chemicals, rapid weight gain, stress, gestational diabetes, high refined carbs, high saturated fats, low omega 3 fatty acids and low phytonutrient intake ALL need to be on the plan for every women even considering becoming pregnant. And how does this all impact the woman who’s body is not ready for pregnancy (i.e. infertility), but is forced into it anyway (infertility treatment)?

Read entire article here

IMPACT OF MATERNAL ATOPY AND PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTATION – (05-18-09)

by

Impact of maternal atopy and probiotic supplementation during pregnancy on infant sensitization

A few comments here, beginning with my decade long frustration about medicine’s refusal to accept normal, protective flora as being important. We destroy it only in infancy with antibiotics, with never a thought as to the physiological ramifications of this approach.

In this study, the authors used probiotics in mothers who were allergy-prone (which meant that their infant, as well, would be allergy prone) and nursing to lower the risk in the infants for developing allergies. This likely occurs through 2 mechanisms–one with the modulation of the mom’s own immune status, and two, but direct translocation of the bacteria from the gut into breast milk. Couple this with findings of greatly reduced allergies and asthma in infants whose mothers took in higher levels of EFAs and we would see a drastic reduction in the prevalence of this chronic condition.

Read entire article here