Sunday, May 20

Change for Everyone

Posted on November 29, 2010 by Heidi Brockmyre, L.Ac.

Change Ourselves. Change Our Families. Change the World.

I recently read an amazing article in Time Magazine about just how important the fetal environment is to the health of it's offspring, possibly even more important than genetics and lifestyle! (Murphey Paul, Annie. "Fetal Origins." Time Magazine. Oct. 4, 2010: p. 50+.)

For example, doctors discovered that pregnant women subjected to starvation or extreme stress give birth to children with a higher risk of schizophrenia. It's as if the environment to which the mother is exposed tells the baby what he/she can expect from the world. In extreme stress and starvation, already deprived of its needs, the baby anticipates instability and insanity rather than a calm, stable, and joyful existence.

In addition, when pregnant women experience chronic depression and anxiety, their fetuses are more likely to display their own nervous system disturbances when the mother is stressed during pregnancy. It could be because the fetuses' nervous systems are already being shaped by their mothers' emotional states.

Babies born with a low birth weight are also more likely to develop heart disease as adults. In cases of malnutrition, their bodies prioritize building their brains before their hearts. These discoveries reinforce the importance of nutrition and emotional support long before conception. If the mother experiences severe morning sickness, she may endure starvation during pregnancy. Having built up a reserve of nutrients before pregnancy will help to meet mother and baby's needs throughout periods of starvation.

This also underlies the need for the mother to feel supported in her life prior to pregnancy so that she is emotionally stable. If she is burning the candle at both ends or doesn't feel secure in her environment, her baby's nervous system may be wired for mental and emotional health issues throughout its life. If she has already established healthy emotional coping mechanisms prior to conceiving, she is more able to maintain equanimity throughout her pregnancy.

Another study discovered that a mother's exposure to environmental toxins during pregnancy may lead to DNA changes, cognitive delays, and lower IQ scores in her child. This goes to show that the health of our earth impacts the health of future generations and their cognitive abilities to maneuver through life and change the world thereafter! Indeed, everything is connected.

If the mother is obese during pregnancy, the child is more likely to be obese and diabetic. "The bodies of the children who were conceived after their mothers had weight loss surgery process fats and carbohydrates in a healthier way than do the bodies of their brothers and sisters who were conceived at a time when their mothers were still overweight," says John Kral, a professor of surgery and medicine at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York. During pregnancy, a diabetic woman's high blood sugar appears to disrupt the developing metabolism of the fetus, predisposing it to diabetes and obesity. (All in reference to the above cited article.)
Thankfully, studies also prove that what we do right can also have a positive long term impact. For instance, evidence concluded if a mother eats broccoli during pregnancy, her baby is less likely to get cancer for the rest of his or her life.

The choices we make before pregnancy not only impact our lives and our children's lives, but also our ancestors' lives. If diabetes may be inherited or disinherited via the uterine environment, the cycle of passing disease on to our offspring and so on can be broken and replaced by a stronger, healthier cycle.

The uterus is a house, a foundation for which to invite another spirit. The mother houses the uterus. The uterus houses the baby. The home life of the mother is reflected in the home life of the uterus. The spirit, mind, and body of the baby will be formed as a reflection of the mother's experience during those 9 months and will have a ripple affect on generations to come.

This may sound scary, but I find it empowering. If our child's health is determined by genetics alone, we have no say in the matter. But this news offers us a new sense of control. In fact, we get to play God. We are not simply helpless victims doomed to carry out a genetic destiny in hopes that we deal our children good hands. With accountability for our choices, we gain control. And feeling a sense of control is empowering.

Do you want a child at any cost? Is your family bond and health a priority? Will the child be entering a loving, calm, nurturing and balanced environment?

We can choose to create a healthier family foundation before getting pregnant as an offering of love. And everyone plays a part. The father can strengthen his physical and mental health to protect and support the mother and to contribute strong sperm carrying vital DNA. We don't know if the father's state of mind during fertilization has an impact on his offspring's health at this point, but it's certainly possible it may also be an influential factor. In any case, the bond established between mother and father will be the thriving roots from which your family tree grows.

One may also liken this scientific evidence to the metaphysical theory of the Law of Attraction. Like attracts like. Prepare your relationship, your hearts, your bodies, and your home to attract a soul with the mental, emotional, and physical traits you consider ideal. A new baby will not fulfill you and your relationship if you are not already fulfilled. Strengthen your will to fulfill your highest potential as a means to preparing fertile grounds in which another soul wills his or her roots to settle and thrive within you.

"How am I going to live today in order to create the tomorrow I'm committed to?" -Tony Robbins

Practice:

This is a great exercise to practice individually and as a couple.

1.) Create the Ideal

Write in your journal the ideal world in which you would like your child to enter. Do you idealize peace? Serenity? A healthy environment? An active environment? A loving environment? Open communication?

Write a list of the attributes you'd like your child to inherit. Do you want a strong child? A calm child? Playful? Healthy?
Happy? Is there a family disease you want your child to be free of?

2.) Take Inventory

Is your home and lifestyle a reflection of your ideal?

First write a list of positive attributes upon which you can build. What are you doing right? What are you proud to offer your child?

Next, write a list of anything that may be detrimental to your fertility and does not support the above ideal. Be honest with yourself. Carefully examine any discrepancies between your daily choices and creating your ideal.

First make a list of habits impacting your physical health. Look in your cupboards. Is there nutritious fertile food or sugary snacks and junk? Do you drink soda? Caffeine? Do you eat regularly or skip meals? Are you making time for exercise? When you eat, are you rushing and stressed or relaxed?

3.) Plan of Action

For each detrimental health habit, starting with the ones you prioritized, think of a possible solution. Set concrete and realistic goals for implementing changes. Determine when you will take each action.

For example, if your cupboards are stocked with cans of soda, toss them. Stock your kitchen with a healthy substitute such as sparkling water and a splash of natural fruit juice.

***Remember, when making changes, be gentle on yourself. The goal is not perfection, but rather balance and lasting change. Real lasting change happens slowly but with persistence over time. Old habits will dissolve with determination. If you fall down, laugh about it then get back up. Review your goals and move forward. Give yourself rewards. Remind yourself of everything you're doing right.