Positive and Negative Thoughts May Affect Fetal Genetics
My partner James Goodlatte has had many articles published regarding pregnancy. Here is one.
Giving Birth With Dolphins
This video really calls to me! What an amazing experience for mom, baby and the dolphins. If anyone knows where it is possible to birth with dolphins please let me know!
Pregnant Women Advised to Avoid Insect Repellent but if you Really Need it…
Bug Spray-“Pregnant women are being advised to avoid insect repellent after a study found a link to an increasingly common birth defect,” reports Fox News in 2009. Mercola has a Deet-Free bug spray that uses much more natural ingredients like citronella, lemongrass oil, peppermint oil, vanillin, naturally-occurring sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate. Again, compare that to the nice list of chemicals in your chemical bug spray before you toss it.
The Best Sunscreen to use During Pregnancy
Sunscreen-The list of ingredients to avoid in sunscreen is way too long to go into here. Dr. Green lists several “estrogenic” chemicals to avoid. On the rare occasion that we use sunscreen (even here in Miami), we use the one formulated by Dr. Mercola (Mercola.com). It is free of chemical fragrances, parabens, and nanoparticles. The active ingredients are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, along with sunflower oil, lecithin, coconut oil, glycerine, jojoba oil, tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E), shea butter, and eucalyptus oil. Compare that to the small book of chemical ingredients found on your average sunscreen right before you place that chemical sunscreen into the garbage.
Choosing Natural Cosmetics Products During Pregnancy
Cosmetics—Avoid cosmetics that contain phthalates which are endocrine disruptors, also cited to cause infertility and birth defects. Back in 2000, CNN posted that the Environmental Working Group (EWG) warned women not to use cosmetics that contain phthalates. These chemicals are “often used in cosmetics because they make nail polish flexible, help bleed the chemical of fragrances, and help lotion better penetrate the skin. They aren’t always required to be labeled on the products.” Make-UpUSA.com writes, “Phthalates are found in many leading beauty care products, including hair spray, deodorant, nail polish, and perfume that you may be using every day.” Most reports discuss the potential problems specifically for the developing testes of gestating boys.
Also avoid hair color and bleaching products that contain phenylenediamines (especially P-phenylenediamine, or PPD), which Dr. Green says are known causes of throat irritation, bronchial asthma, and sensitization dermatitis. Also avoid lead acetate in hair coloring products and toluene in some nail treatments. Also avoid petroleum derivatives fond in some fragrances, mascaras, lipsticks, and lip balms.
One site yells, “Chemicals linked to birth defects do not belong in products marketed to women!” and then says “Colosé Cosmetics and Skin Care has never ever used phthalates in any of their cosmetic products.” We do not use cosmetics, but Uhma Spa in Miami Beach, Fl, recommended the Jane Iredale Makeup Line, which offers both paraban-free and phthalate-free mineral makeup.
Nighttime labor and delivery offers four specific benefits for pregnant women
1. “Two hours less labor”
2. “Less bleeding”
3. “Fewer complications”
4. “Babies are found to be in better shape”
Quality sleeping habits help regulate and improve all functions, including development of children in the womb. The circadian rhythm refers to rhythmic biological cycles. The most obvious circadian rhythm is the wake/sleep cycle. This cycle has been honed by evolution to aid the proper function of other biological rhythms. Emphasizing the role of light and dark helps pregnant moms to nurture happier healthier babies.
In The Body Clock Guide to Better Health, Michael Smolensky, PhD, and Lynne Lamberg advise, “If you are pregnant, make a special effort to get enough sleep.” Regulation of chemicals, hormones, nerves, and cell division are most critical for the pregnant body. For nine months, it will divide hundreds of billions of cells, elevate and drop hormones in the fastest time frames, and manage the transfer of nutrients and wastes. In all of these processes, optimal synchronization is primarily influenced by sunlight during the day and darkness at night. A pregnant mom must get enough of both in order to create the strongest biological rhythms.
One factor for a healthy mom and child that can be affected by the strength of one’s circadian rhythms is timing of childbirth. Like other day-active species, humans give birth most often at night. Nighttime labor and delivery offers four specific benefits for pregnant women, according to The Body Clock Guide to Better Health:
1. “Two hours less labor”
2. “Less bleeding”
3. “Fewer complications”
4. “Babies are found to be in better shape”
Chek adds that sensitivity to pain differs markedly over a 24 hour cycle. It is possible that pregnant women experience less childbirth pain at night. How can a pregnant mom encourage a night-time birth? She can strengthen her circadian rhythms (and plan for a natural birth).
A few specific changes can bolster the wake/sleep cycle, which in turn will strengthen all of a pregnant mom’s circadian rhythms. Smolensky and Lamberg tell readers, “There are hundreds of other circadian rhythms, covering every bodily function that has ever been studied, from cell division to hormone release to mental and physical performance.” In The Promise of Sleep, William Dement, MD, PhD, calls this cycle “the maestro conducting the complex symphony of chemical, hormonal, and nerve cell activities that promote our daily fluctuation in feelings and actions.” Moms are the acting maestro’s for their baby’s circadian cycles. Strengthening these cycles is another way that mom can take responsibility to ensure her baby’s chemical symphony sings in harmony.
Really My Cookware Can Be Toxic For My Baby?
Cookware—Avoid non-stick pans made from Teflon. Teflon contains perfluorinated compounds (PFC’s) which “studies have also linked [to] birth defects and infertility,” according to Dr. Mercola. Instead, use high-quality stainless steel or ceramic cookware, both can be purchased on line.
Air Fresheners are More Toxic Than You Think…Especially During Pregnancy
Air Fresheners—Avoid chemical fresheners or plug-ins, which cause lung problems and asthma. A report in Nature reveals that harmful formaldehyde-generating smog can form inside your home due to the use of air-fresheners. This “probable carcinogen” can not only lead to cancer, but is believed “responsible for respiratory problems” as well, according to the report.
Another report posted on WebMD Health News is called “Air Fresheners Linked to Lung Damage.” The report says that 1,4-DCB, “most often used in room deodorizers,” can be found in the blood of 96% of Americans. Besides being especially problematic for those with asthma, the report says “1,4-DCB is also a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and death from any cause.”
Dr. Mercola says that 1,4-DCB and other pollutant chemicals are being emitted by “artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, or other synthetic fragrances.” He recommends using only therapeutic essential oils, which have been around for thousands of years and which have natural anti-bacterial qualities.
The highest quality, therapeutic grade oils and diffusers can be purchased on-line through Mountain Rose Herbs or Young Living. YourSuperBaby.com has a page dedicated to oils, where clear instructions tell how to join YoungLiving.com (please use member number 885340), and how to use our web-link to Mountain Rose Herbs…Thank you J Both companies are the only two I know of whose oils are organic and low-heat processed. If essential oils are heated, they still smell good, but lose their therapeutic qualities. If you want the added benefits of antiviral, antibacterial, etc, make sure your essential oils are processed by knowledgeable companies. Mountain Rose Herb has less expensive oils overall, but Young Living has many special ready-made blends.
The Best Body Lotion During Pregnancy!
Lotions—Avoid 1,4 dioxane (anything that ends in “eth” or seems close to “polyethylene”) which are known cancer-causing agents. Instead, make your skin lotion the same simple Coconut Oil that you can eat, and be amazed. It can be ordered online or purchased at health food stores. And for some more fun you can mix in essential oils like lavender for a fresh scent.
Choosing a Natural Toothpaste During Pregnancy
Toothpaste—Avoid sodium laurel sulfate’s which can lead to cancer and reproductive toxicity…also be careful of excess fluoride. More and more European nations are banning it and in 2007, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommended removing it from the water supply. Your dentist will confirm that most of cleaning action of teeth comes from the brushing, not the toothpaste. We just found “Thieves” toothpaste from Young Living Essential Oils that can be ordered directly (YoungLiving.com—If you would be so kind, tell them you were referred by 885340). I haven’t yet found another toothpaste that is both free from both fluoride and laurel sulfate.
Kim Nelli and James Goodlatte 