By: Aimee
-
during the birth of my 4th child - my doctor instructed the nurse to insert
iv saline and pitocin (or the other one). my doctor instructed the nurse to
giv...
4 years ago
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Mother of Many - a short award winning annimated film
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbx3ECKvt60
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QJpm00sCYo
February 21, 2010 — Sally Arthur and Emma Lazenby win Best Short Animation at the Orange British Academy Film Awards in 2010.
Emma Lazenby's mother recently retired from a 30 year career as a Midwife. A day in the life of a midwife was theinspiration for this film.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Vernix - it's amazing stuff for your newborn!
http://roseysrelaxingremedies.co.uk/AmazingVernixandamnioticfluid.aspx
Why not to wash your new baby straight away...
Why to avoid artificial rupture of your membrances...
It turns out that vernix (the white stuff some babies are born with) and amniotic fluid have similar immune enhancing properties to breast milk... artificial rupturing of membranes can take away the amniotic fluid's protective capability. Cleaning your baby straight away can take away the immune protecting properties of vernix....
Source: Pubmed central.
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1595247
ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF AMNIOTIC FLUID AND VERNIX CASEOSA ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE FOUND IN BREAST MILK
Akinbi, H. T., Narendran, V., Pass, A. K., Markart, P., & Hoath, S. B. (2004). Host defense proteins in vernix caseosa and amniotic fluid. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 191(6), 2090–2096.
Summary
In this study, researchers analyzed samples of amniotic fluid and vernix caseosa (vernix) from healthy, term gestations to determine the immune properties of these substances. Participants were pregnant women admitted for elective cesarean section after 37 weeks gestation with no prior labor and no signs of chorioamnionitis (intrauterine infection). Women with a history of prenatal fever or premature rupture of membranes, or who received steroids prenatally or antibiotics while giving birth were excluded, as were women whose babies passed meconium in utero, had congenital malformations, or required prolonged resuscitation after birth. Amniotic fluid was obtained by amniocentesis to determine fetal lung maturity prior to elective birth. Vernix was gently scraped from the newborn's skin with a sterile implement immediately following birth. The researchers obtained 10 samples of amniotic fluid and 25 samples of vernix.
Tests (Western analysis and immunochemistry) revealed that lysozyme, lactoferrin, human neutrophil peptides 1–3, and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor were present in the amniotic fluid samples and in organized granules embedded in the vernix samples. These immune substances were tested using antimicrobial growth inhibition assays and found to be effective in inhibiting the growth of common perinatal pathogens, including group B. Streptococcus, K. pneumoniae, L. monocytogenes, C. albicans, and E. coli.
The authors point out that the innate immune proteins found in vernix and amniotic fluid are similar to those found in breast milk. As the baby prepares for extrauterine life, pulmonary surfactant (a substance produced by the maturing fetal lungs) increases in the amniotic fluid, resulting in the detachment of vernix from the skin. The vernix mixes with the amniotic fluid and is swallowed by the growing fetus. Given the antimicrobial properties of this mixture, the authors conclude that there is “considerable functional and structural synergism between the prenatal biology of vernix caseosa and the postnatal biology of breast milk” (p. 2095). They also suggest that better understanding of these innate host defenses may prove useful in preventing and treating intrauterine infection.
Significance for Normal Birth
Routine artificial rupture of membranes increases the likelihood of intrauterine infection because it eliminates the physical barrier (the amniotic sac) between the baby and the mother's vaginal flora. This study suggests an additional mechanism for the prevention of infection when the membranes remain intact: A baby bathed in amniotic fluid benefits from antimicrobial proteins that are found in the fluid and in vernix caseosa.
The results of this study also call into question the routine use of some newborn procedures. Early bathing of the baby removes vernix, which contains antimicrobial proteins that are active against group B. streptococcus and E. coli. Delaying the bath and keeping the newborn together with his or her mother until breastfeeding is established may prevent some cases of devastating infections caused by these bacteria. The fact that preterm babies tend to have more vernix than babies born at or after 40 weeks might mean that healthy, stable preterm babies derive even greater benefit from staying with their mothers during the immediate newborn period.
Finally, this study illustrates how the normal physiology of pregnancy and fetal development is part of a continuum that extends beyond birth to the newborn period. The immunologic similarities between amniotic fluid, vernix, and breast milk provide further evidence that successful initiation of breastfeeding is a critical part of the process of normal birth.
Why not to wash your new baby straight away...
Why to avoid artificial rupture of your membrances...
It turns out that vernix (the white stuff some babies are born with) and amniotic fluid have similar immune enhancing properties to breast milk... artificial rupturing of membranes can take away the amniotic fluid's protective capability. Cleaning your baby straight away can take away the immune protecting properties of vernix....
Source: Pubmed central.
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1595247
ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF AMNIOTIC FLUID AND VERNIX CASEOSA ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE FOUND IN BREAST MILK
Akinbi, H. T., Narendran, V., Pass, A. K., Markart, P., & Hoath, S. B. (2004). Host defense proteins in vernix caseosa and amniotic fluid. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 191(6), 2090–2096.
Summary
In this study, researchers analyzed samples of amniotic fluid and vernix caseosa (vernix) from healthy, term gestations to determine the immune properties of these substances. Participants were pregnant women admitted for elective cesarean section after 37 weeks gestation with no prior labor and no signs of chorioamnionitis (intrauterine infection). Women with a history of prenatal fever or premature rupture of membranes, or who received steroids prenatally or antibiotics while giving birth were excluded, as were women whose babies passed meconium in utero, had congenital malformations, or required prolonged resuscitation after birth. Amniotic fluid was obtained by amniocentesis to determine fetal lung maturity prior to elective birth. Vernix was gently scraped from the newborn's skin with a sterile implement immediately following birth. The researchers obtained 10 samples of amniotic fluid and 25 samples of vernix.
Tests (Western analysis and immunochemistry) revealed that lysozyme, lactoferrin, human neutrophil peptides 1–3, and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor were present in the amniotic fluid samples and in organized granules embedded in the vernix samples. These immune substances were tested using antimicrobial growth inhibition assays and found to be effective in inhibiting the growth of common perinatal pathogens, including group B. Streptococcus, K. pneumoniae, L. monocytogenes, C. albicans, and E. coli.
The authors point out that the innate immune proteins found in vernix and amniotic fluid are similar to those found in breast milk. As the baby prepares for extrauterine life, pulmonary surfactant (a substance produced by the maturing fetal lungs) increases in the amniotic fluid, resulting in the detachment of vernix from the skin. The vernix mixes with the amniotic fluid and is swallowed by the growing fetus. Given the antimicrobial properties of this mixture, the authors conclude that there is “considerable functional and structural synergism between the prenatal biology of vernix caseosa and the postnatal biology of breast milk” (p. 2095). They also suggest that better understanding of these innate host defenses may prove useful in preventing and treating intrauterine infection.
Significance for Normal Birth
Routine artificial rupture of membranes increases the likelihood of intrauterine infection because it eliminates the physical barrier (the amniotic sac) between the baby and the mother's vaginal flora. This study suggests an additional mechanism for the prevention of infection when the membranes remain intact: A baby bathed in amniotic fluid benefits from antimicrobial proteins that are found in the fluid and in vernix caseosa.
The results of this study also call into question the routine use of some newborn procedures. Early bathing of the baby removes vernix, which contains antimicrobial proteins that are active against group B. streptococcus and E. coli. Delaying the bath and keeping the newborn together with his or her mother until breastfeeding is established may prevent some cases of devastating infections caused by these bacteria. The fact that preterm babies tend to have more vernix than babies born at or after 40 weeks might mean that healthy, stable preterm babies derive even greater benefit from staying with their mothers during the immediate newborn period.
Finally, this study illustrates how the normal physiology of pregnancy and fetal development is part of a continuum that extends beyond birth to the newborn period. The immunologic similarities between amniotic fluid, vernix, and breast milk provide further evidence that successful initiation of breastfeeding is a critical part of the process of normal birth.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
What Not To Read - when you are expecting (and what TO Read)...
Here is another fabulous post from Wonderfully Made - she blogs about some of the popular Pregnancy and Birth books and tells why she might not recommend them and what books she would recommend instead.
http://wonderfullymadebelliesandbabies.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-not-to-read_4036.html
Enjoy!
Some of my favorite books include-
Your Best Birth by: Ricki Lake.
I spoke with her writing team several times and gave some of the insights I have learned about birth in our modern times...
Gentle Birth Choices by: Barbara Harper
This book gives a different perspective to birth than what is often out there in our society. It gives a sense that Birth is NORMAL and that you can do it!
my favorite book on Breastfeeding is -
So That's What They're For! by: Janet Tamaro
A humorous realistic guide on Breastfeeding information
http://wonderfullymadebelliesandbabies.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-not-to-read_4036.html
Enjoy!
Some of my favorite books include-
Your Best Birth by: Ricki Lake.
I spoke with her writing team several times and gave some of the insights I have learned about birth in our modern times...
Gentle Birth Choices by: Barbara Harper
This book gives a different perspective to birth than what is often out there in our society. It gives a sense that Birth is NORMAL and that you can do it!
my favorite book on Breastfeeding is -
So That's What They're For! by: Janet Tamaro
A humorous realistic guide on Breastfeeding information
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Social Media and Birth Change...
Another good article/post on how social media; possitive birth films on Face Book, etc... may be what it takes to effect change in our birth culture.
http://www.drgreene.com/perspectives/2009/11/04/could-youtube-change-our-birth-culture?page=2#comments
Along with being a good blog post, she posted a great video of a mother being supported in labor -by doulas. (and I personally feel some of these images depict midwivery care as well).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16uFf02NYb4
You tube does it again with promoting a video that compares Mass Media Childbirth vs. the Real Thing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9Gd7pqeESE&feature=related
http://www.drgreene.com/perspectives/2009/11/04/could-youtube-change-our-birth-culture?page=2#comments
Along with being a good blog post, she posted a great video of a mother being supported in labor -by doulas. (and I personally feel some of these images depict midwivery care as well).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16uFf02NYb4
You tube does it again with promoting a video that compares Mass Media Childbirth vs. the Real Thing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9Gd7pqeESE&feature=related
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Letting Go...
So, This past year I sent my first baby off to college many miles and many states away... The same year my 'baby' started pre-school. It's hard moving on to new stages of life sometimes. It's difficult to know what is ahead, and hard to look back at what you are leaving behind you.
This birth story is really amazing and speaks to this 'letting go' concept.
http://florencedotcom.blogspot.com/2009/08/happy-21st-birthday-margaret.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FlorenceDotCom+%28Florence+dot+com%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
Take courage! You can do it. you will be able to handle the challenges ahead, so go on, Let Go!
This birth story is really amazing and speaks to this 'letting go' concept.
http://florencedotcom.blogspot.com/2009/08/happy-21st-birthday-margaret.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FlorenceDotCom+%28Florence+dot+com%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
Take courage! You can do it. you will be able to handle the challenges ahead, so go on, Let Go!
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