Modern Obstetric Practices that show some links to autism
Though the cause of autism is still unknown, the modern obstetric practices of frequent ultrasounds and natural oxytocin limiting practices show some interesting links to the disorder.
A study funded by the Autism Speaks organization recently found that in animal studies, frequent ultrasounds (such as those offered very regularly for no medical reason during prenatal care) result in brain abnormalities similar to autism in newborn mice that were studied. Though no human studies have had conclusive results, their has been only one such study done and it tested a very small population. This study was only done on the old fashion 2d imaging technology, but today many hospitals are offering 3d and even 4d ultrasound imaging which requires much stronger sonic waves. No doubt ultrasounds are invaluable technology for pregnancy complications, however I think that for safety, all unnecessary ultrasounds should be avoided in pregnancy. This can be facilitated by alternative methods of testing for things typically facilitated by ultrasound.
The second modern obstetric practice I've found that shows some links with autism is the handing out of formula and bottles in maternity wards that encourages the ease of formula feeding over breastfeeding, and administering narcotics and Pitocin that limit natural oxytocin hormone creation during birth. A March 2008 article in Popular Science discussing the improvements in children with autism when they smell the hormone oxytocin. The hormone causes these children to be more socially intelligent in the short term. I believe it stands to reason that the 8-12 feedings newborns need a day for several months when breastfed may provide the oxytocin necessary for learning the human bonding skills of non-impaired children. In addition a March 2001 article in the scientific journal LEAVEN lists the many benefits to breastfeeding for autistic families specifically because of the maternal-child bond that is facilitated, the biologically correct nutrition of breast milk, and the more digestible casein that is in human breast milk versus formula. In this article, it also notes a Japanese study that has concluded that breastfeeding may prevent autism because of the antibodies passed from mother to baby. In any case it is clear that breastfeeding at the breast until at least 6 months of age will result in better outcomes for those with autism and may even provide a good defense against the more debilitating forms of the disease.
A study funded by the Autism Speaks organization recently found that in animal studies, frequent ultrasounds (such as those offered very regularly for no medical reason during prenatal care) result in brain abnormalities similar to autism in newborn mice that were studied. Though no human studies have had conclusive results, their has been only one such study done and it tested a very small population. This study was only done on the old fashion 2d imaging technology, but today many hospitals are offering 3d and even 4d ultrasound imaging which requires much stronger sonic waves. No doubt ultrasounds are invaluable technology for pregnancy complications, however I think that for safety, all unnecessary ultrasounds should be avoided in pregnancy. This can be facilitated by alternative methods of testing for things typically facilitated by ultrasound.
- Ultrasound to know the due date of your child could be eliminated by simply tracking your periods, as ultrasound due date calculations are no more accurate than knowing the date of your last period.
- Gender testing can be done via blood test at 7 weeks.
- For monitoring your baby's heart rate during pregnancy, a fetal stethoscope is just as effective as the fetal doppler monitor which uses ultrasound to measure babies heart rate . This fell out of favor because it requires health care provider to have a little more skill and the doppler has been widely believed to be safe.
- Genetic abnormality testing can be done via a blood test at 14 weeks referred to as quad testing. This test occasionally results in a false positive, but would eliminate one unnecessary ultrasound.
- position of baby in late term pregnancy can be found by most skilled midwives and montrices by feeling the baby bump and listening for the location of baby's heart rate in the womb.
The second modern obstetric practice I've found that shows some links with autism is the handing out of formula and bottles in maternity wards that encourages the ease of formula feeding over breastfeeding, and administering narcotics and Pitocin that limit natural oxytocin hormone creation during birth. A March 2008 article in Popular Science discussing the improvements in children with autism when they smell the hormone oxytocin. The hormone causes these children to be more socially intelligent in the short term. I believe it stands to reason that the 8-12 feedings newborns need a day for several months when breastfed may provide the oxytocin necessary for learning the human bonding skills of non-impaired children. In addition a March 2001 article in the scientific journal LEAVEN lists the many benefits to breastfeeding for autistic families specifically because of the maternal-child bond that is facilitated, the biologically correct nutrition of breast milk, and the more digestible casein that is in human breast milk versus formula. In this article, it also notes a Japanese study that has concluded that breastfeeding may prevent autism because of the antibodies passed from mother to baby. In any case it is clear that breastfeeding at the breast until at least 6 months of age will result in better outcomes for those with autism and may even provide a good defense against the more debilitating forms of the disease.
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