The reasons behind Pregnancy related disorders
'As explained by a Chinese medicine and body mind perspective'
The main reason that I have decided to talk about this topic is that over the last 6 months I have seen a lot of pregnancy related disorders that could have been prevented. Most of these disorders can be diagnosed very early and if the mother to be takes the right steps, these common disorders can be easily stopped before they begin. The main problem is that most of the people that developed these disorders were told of the likelihood of these disorders developing and didn’t listen to the advice.
Reasons
Most, (not all) disorders in pregnancy are primarily in response to an emotional reason. Whether the person likes to admit it or not, emotions do cause a lot of health related problems for the expecting mother. Stress would have to be the biggest cause and most of the time it is self- inflicted stress. Working too late into the pregnancy, meeting to many demands and deadlines or the simple fact of not slowing down and resting.
Before I go any further lets look at that word “Stress” again. What can it do to the body? Stress won’t kill you will it?
Stress
Stress causes stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system and increases the secretion of adrenaline, cortisone and neuropeptides by the adrenal glands. The metabolism speeds up, which releases free radicals that cause cell damage or destruction-which is why stress can eventually kill.
Stress is now one of the top ten killers in the USA and is probably not far off being that here.
Some people are literally running on adrenal energy through out their pregnancy and wonder why they end up with life threatening conditions such as pre-eclampsia and then followed by a bout of dreadful post natal depression.
A few months ago I had several women come to see me with simple pregnancy induced carpal tunnel syndrome. These women where of similar personality types too. They were planning to working late into the pregnancy and were trying to meet deadlines from hell. This also with lifestyles that make me feel tired thinking about them and commitments filling their entire schedule. One of them also had a young two-year-old to look after as well.
When they both came in, I quickly worked out where all the trouble was coming from and realised that if they didn’t both slow down these simple cases of carpal tunnel could go to nasty places. None of them listened of cause.
I even sent them for a double dose of talking to from there GP’s/ Gynaecologists. Still no listening to them.
I continued to treat them and slowly other signs started to show. The carpal tunnel was just being relieved and now one of them had a breech baby as well. One more week passes and still no change in lifestyles and the lady with the breech baby now has some protein in the urine and the other one has high blood pressure and protein. Still no slowing down even after strict doctors advice. We can all guess where this ends, can’t we.
What people, in general, have to realise, are that most health problems are put there by themselves. By this I mean that lifestyle, stress and emotional outlook can all manifest into very real physical complaints. Nobody can be blamed for our own health except ourselves. If you do have genetic or pre-existing health condition, it still needs to be addressed by better diet and lifestyle to help you with your pregnancy. Some things just happen too, despite all effort. But if you try to stay as health and stress free as possible, it does lessen chances of anything developing. Prevention is better than cure
On the next tab are some of the main conditions that can affect pregnancy. I will explain how Chinese medicine and body mind medicine relates to these conditions and the causes behind them for all to understand and hopefully prevent from happening. Prevention is the only key to good health.
Pregnancy Conditions
Morning Sickness
Morning sickness is regarded as ailment that is caused by a poor digestive system, poor liver function as well as aggravated by emotional reasons. Regardless of how good people may think that their diet is, nearly all westerners, and particularly Australians, have poor eating habits and thus have poor digestive function. Over-consumption of cold foods, raw foods such as fruit and vegetables, and a large consumption of cold icy drinks all lead to poor digestion.
The remedy for poor digestion is to eat more warm foods such as steamed vege, cooked foods, room temp or warm water and reduce stress. Remember the body runs on 37 degrees C and the body needs its food to be at this temp to digest it properly. Putting things straight form the refrigerator at 5 degrees means that the body has to spend a lot of time getting this food up to 37 degrees before any digestion can take place. Cold foods and drinks also cause the stomach to spasm in some cases and then the food comes up and not down. The stomach also has to then produce more acid to break down the foods, which leads too more mucus, and then this can cause nausea and loose bowels.
Remedy:- Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are the best remedy for this condition. 1-3 treatments should alleviate or fix as long as you follow the following as well. No cold icy drinks. No cold raw foods. Reduce emotional and physical stress. Put some ginger in your food. If eating fruits, have them stewed instead of raw. If eating fruit or vege, have at room temp only. The ideal is steamed.
Breech Baby
There is only one reason for a breech Baby. In Chinese medicine this has been known for thousands of years. The answer is mostly emotional, plus, add in some postural issues.
Working too late into the pregnancy, emotional stress, moving house, loss of a family member, arguments or physical fright all lead to this syndrome. The old saying of the world turned upside down in ones life applies directly to this syndrome. What is manifested in mental becomes physical. Every person that has ever walked through my door with this syndrome has an emotional and postural cause behind there having a breech baby. The most common reasons are moving, renovating, working past 30 weeks, sitting at computers or desk at work (postural), or emotional stress.
Remedy:- Simple really. Slow the hell down and stop stressing J Remove yourself from any stressful situation (Work, Mothers, Mother-In-laws)J. If renovating, get a motel room for some peace and quite. If still working, finish work. Acupuncture and moxabustion is the most effective treatment for this (85% success). Also acupuncture can make ECV more effective if it is needed.
Pubic Symphysis syndrome
I’m seeing this syndrome more and more recently, which goes to show that people are really trying to do too much during their pregnancy. It is directly related to a dysfunction of the pelvis. This is mainly due to poor posture, which is then exacerbated by the weight of pregnancy. This syndrome is usually there before pregnancy but becomes severe because of the load bearing down into the pelvic cavity from the child. Physical and emotional stresses make this syndrome worse.
Remedy:- Chiropractic/Osteopathy and lots of Acupuncture and bodywork. Don’t use pelvic girdles as they make it worse. The pelvis needs to be aligned by a Chiropractor or Osteopath and then Acupuncture used to help with any separation of the pubic symphysis and helps reduce pelvic inflammation. Sometimes acupuncture is the only remedy if the separation is too bad. I’ve got a treatment that really works for this one.
Pregnancy Induced Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The main reason behind this one is stress and poor digestive function. Most of the time, this syndrome is a result of RSI and is there before the pregnancy but not noticed till the pregnancy cause more fluid to build up. Working on computers is a big cause of this problem and working with them late into the pregnancy. It is ever exacerbated and worsened by stress. Stress adds to more fluid build up and causes constriction of the nerves in the forearms and hands. This syndrome is typically seen as a precursor to pre-eclampsia in clinical practice. This is why it should not be treated lightly. If the fluids build up this much, a change in lifestyle is needed immediately.
Remedy:- Reduce any work on computers or keyboards while pregnant. Dramatically reduce any stress, both physical and emotional. Acupuncture is the best remedy for this complaint. Physiotherapy or even massage can benefit this syndrome greatly too.
While this syndrome is present, rest a lot and get the blood pressure and urine monitored regularly by your doctor or midwife.
Skin rashes
All skin rashes are directly related to poor digestion and liver function. In Chinese medicine the liver governs the skin and is aggravated by anger, resentment and emotional stress. This gives rise to excess heat in the body and then manifests into the skin as a red angry rash. Poor digestion can also play a very big part by causing excess fluid build up that can also cause heat that manifests into the skin.
Remedy:- Keep diet and emotions in check and reduce any stress. Avoid hot spicy foods that increase heat in the body. Get some liver herbs to pacify the liver. Get some Acupuncture as well as it will clear this up very quickly.
Overdue Labour
Any midwife will tell you that a labour can be stopped by emotional reasons. This can often be seen when someone is in labour and gets to the hospital and it stops due to fear and a case of reality setting in.
So, emotions are the main cause and also stress. Also mothers who have been previously chemically induced with a prior labour tend to go over again. This is due to the fear of the first time of being induced. Anyone who has been induced chemically will tell you it is not a nice feeling. It is no wonder they go over again.
Remedy:- Get Acupuncture as it has an 88% success rate in helping labour along. Reduce stress. Reduce stress. Relax. Relax. (See our Research Paper on Natural Induction)
Pre-Eclampsia
In Chinese Medicine, one of the main reasons behind this particular syndrome is excess physical and emotional stress. It can be caused from a pre-existing medical condition or genetic disorder as well. Either way, there is a blockage in the body that needs to be treated. Diet and lifestyle advice is also needed to help this problem.
Take a look at the word stress (physical or emotional) again and we can see this very event unfold. Over work, pre-existing medical condition, stress, and a lack of slowing down, increases the blood pressure, increase fluid build up and proteins in the urine. If not treated quickly and medical advice is not followed, it can lead to serious complication and even death. Don’t be silly during your pregnancy. Slow down and relax. This is a very serious condition that can’t be taken lightly. I don’t mean to come across too harshly on this on, it is never my intent, but, it is a serious condition.
Remedy:- Prevention is the only cure. Slow down. Take it easy and relax. You need to change your diet as well (Very important. Keep the carbohydrates to a minimum during pregnancy)). Don’t work too late into the pregnancy either. Pre-Eclampsia, can be a life threatening illness and needs urgent medical treatment only. Chinese medicine can benefit when used in conjunction with medical treatment, especially for lowering blood pressure, if not admitted to hospital. Once again medical treatment is the only effective treatment for this complaint. Don’t let anyone tell you any different.
Prevention is the key
The key to good health is prevention. Regular time out, regular treatments such as Acupuncture, Yoga, massage or even just a nice stroll, all lead to a health body and mind.
Pregnancy is a time to enjoy, not a time to work like a maniac and put stress on the body. Take care of yourself physically and mentally and the body will respond by looking after you. Enjoy your health and maintain a balance in all facets of your life. Not only do you deserve it, but your family deserves it as well.
The ancient Chinese philosophers have two very important sayings:-
"To apply medicine to a disease after it has already developed is like digging a well when one already feels thirsty, or like forging weapons when a war has already started. Don’t you think it is already too late?"
"To be healthy, you must avoid anger and worry, but keep the mind happy, your heart easy and your desires at low levels. Only then can your Qi energy flow smoothly and uninterrupted inside your body to promote health and cure diseases."