The kidneys
Kidney Essence is derived from both the mother and the father, so there is a hereditary influence determining a person's constitution. The Essence is stored in the Kidneys but has a fluid nature and circulates all around the body. Kidney Essence determines growth, sexual development, reproduction, conception and pregnancy. See Ch. 14 for a discussion of Kidney Essence in relation to the baby. During pregnancy, a strain can be put on the Qi and Essence of the Kidneys, so the pre-existing state...
Antenatal care explained
The first 'booking-in' visit 54 Detecting abnormalities of the fetus 58 AFP alpha-fetoprotein test 60 Chorionic villus sampling CVS 62 Getting off the conveyor belt 64 Antenatal maternal infections 64 The aims of antenatal care are, first and foremost, to look after the health and safety of the mother and to ensure delivery of a healthy baby. Monitoring the health of mother and baby throughout the pregnancy allows for the early detection and treatment of any problems. A vital element in good...
Palpation and position of the baby
As pregnancy advances, more information than just the fundal height will be needed and the midwife will carry out an abdominal examination at every visit. After emptying her bladder, the woman should lie flat, supported by pillows if necessary, with only her abdomen exposed. She should be as relaxed and at ease as possible. There are three stages to the examination. 1 Inspection - to note the size and shape of the uterus. The size should correspond with the estimated dates and period of...
Parvovirus
In childhood, human parvovirus causes erythema infectiosum or fifth disease, which is sometimes mistaken for rubella or German measles. It may also be called 'slapped face syndrome' because of the reddened appearance of a child's face. Infection is commonly asymptomatic. In pregnancy, if the fetus is infected this causes anaemia and fluid retention or hydrops. In approximately half of all cases of fetal infection, miscarriage or still birth occurs but in the remainder the anaemia and hydrops...
The Eastern philosophy of childbirth
The Yellow Emperor 1963 said 'After the person's connection, the Jing is first composed. Then the Jing composes the brain and the bone marrow. The bones become the Stem, the vessels become the Ying, the muscles become firm. The flesh becomes a wall, the Jing is hard and then the hair and body grow'. The chapter on preconception discusses the importance of getting healthy, regulating periods and correcting imbalances before becoming pregnant. In my experience, a woman's physical and emotional...
Deficiencies
A number of crucial minerals are involved in the prevention of birth abnormalities, including the following. In tests, mothers who gave birth to babies with congenital malformations were found to have very low levels of manganese, as did their babies Saner et al 1985 . The best food sources are nuts, green leafy vegetables, peas, beets, egg yolks and wholegrains. Zinc deficiency is linked to low birthweight, still births and male infertility, and to difficult births and poor weight gain in...
Zinc
In addition to its role in preventing defects and low birthweight in the newborn see Ch. 1 , zinc is needed for cell division and growth, for maintaining hormone levels and to keep the immune system healthy. Zinc deficiency inhibits metabolism of vitamin A and may also be one of the causes of morning sickness Pfeiffer 1978 see Ch. 5 . The best dietary sources are meat and poultry, so vegetarians are likely to be zinc deficient. Good food sources. These include meat and poultry, fish, shellfish...
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates, which include starches, sugars and fibres, are the main providers of energy. They are best eaten unrefined, with 'nothing added and nothing taken away', as processing removes many vital nutrients as well as much of the fibre that can help prevent constipation. Foods to eat. These include complex carbohydrates, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, and wholegrains, such as wholemeal bread, brown rice and wholemeal pasta. Foods to avoid. These include simple carbohydrates, such as...
AFP alphafetoprotein test
This is one of several blood tests routinely offered in pregnancy. Concentration of AFP in the blood can be assessed most accurately between weeks 16 and 18, and it is usually given in conjunction with an ultrasound scan MacLachlan 1992 . A high level of AFP in the blood might indicate that the pregnancy is more advanced than realised, a multiple pregnancy, a spinal tube defect such as spina bifida, Turner's syndrome very rare or death of the baby. A low level of AFP might indicate that the...
Allergies
Food allergies are remarkably common, though in some people the obvious symptoms may be slight or masked. Allergies are linked to a range of conditions, including asthma, eczema, hayfever, migraine, hyperactivity and depression, any of which may require drug treatment. For prospective parents there is particular reason to investigate and clear up any allergy. Many food allergies are the result of nutritional imbalance, and in particular of zinc deficiency. Any allergy is an impairment to good...
Toxic chemicals metals and minerals
Every year, each one of us eats approximately 5 kilos of preservatives and additives, inhales 1 gram of heavy metals and has 4 litres of pesticides and herbicides sprayed on our fruit and vegetables. Pollution is more widespread than ever before. The adverse effects of ingestion and inhalation of even low levels of toxic chemicals, metals and minerals can lead to a huge range of conditions, including cardiovascular disease, renal and metabolic disease, immune dysfunction, lethargy, depression,...
Negative influences on prenatal health Stress
The medical world remains divided on the effect of stress on fertility although studies have shown it can affect both the man's and woman's ability to conceive Berga et al 2003, Bethea et al 2005, Brkovich amp Fisher 1998, Campagne 2006, Marcus et al 2001 . For women there is a link with the endocrine system and the hormones produced during stressful times. A recent pilot study from the USA showed that 85 women started to ovulate again following a 20-week course of cognitive behaviour therapy...
Other pointers on protecting yourself from pollution
As well as good nutrition and supplementation, there are some general measures that can help minimise exposure to pollution. Wash all fruit and vegetables and remove the outer leaves of vegetables buy organic whenever possible. Avoid copper or aluminium cookware and do not wrap food in aluminium foil. Avoid canned food, particularly from unlined tins. Use a water filter or drink bottled spring water and never drink hot tap water. Avoid heavy traffic as far as possible and close car windows in...
The Chinese viewpoint on preconceptual care
Eastern thinking has always maintained that a woman should take special care of herself during her periods and after childbirth. She should avoid heavy physical work and overexposure to cold and damp. This care extends not just to physical considerations but to her diet and emotional state as well worry will inhibit Qi from flowing anger gives rise to Liver Qi stagnation see Imbalance of the Liver in the next section fear will cause Qi to sink, which may result in miscarriage joy may lead to...
The menstrual cycle
During each cycle, approximately 100 millilitres of blood are lost. The blood flow will vary according to age, constitution, lifestyle, mental state and any drugs being taken. Each menstrual cycle usually lasts 3 5 days, though in some women it may last 7 days. Menstrual blood is usually light red at the beginning of a cycle, deep red in the middle and pinkish towards the end. A normal blood flow does not contain clots. Questions about a woman's cycle are vitally important to establish where...