Mother’s day: A new perspective
Here is my latest blog on finding a new perspective on Mother’s day after moderating a panel discussion on preventable infant and maternal mortality.
Pregnancy FAQs with Dr. Emilie Salomons: What no one tells you about pregnancy.
Want to lower your chance of a c-section? The Amish might have the answer.
A recent study out of Southern Wisconsin, followed 418 Amish women, who delivered 927 babies. What they noticed was that only 4% went on to have c-sections in comparison to a staggering 27-34% overall average in the US. What was even more remarkable was the rate of VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), which was 95%, compared to 8% in the average general population.
So what do we have to owe these incredible discrepancies?
The answer is, simple, low-tech births, as well as prevention and early treatment (when possible) of potential complications like breech. Essentially, it is about only using intervention when necessary and remembering that birth is a normal and natural process.
My top 5 ways to reduce your need for medical interventions:
- Moxibustion for breech presentation (when applicable)
- Acupuncture for cervical ripening and labour preparation
- Good nutrition
- Plenty of rest
- Support (family, friends and a doula)
Photo source: Wikipedia
Iron absorption and pregnancy
Iron deficiency is a term that gets thrown around a lot, especially during pregnancy. At one point or another most women, ask themselves ‘am getting enough iron?” Whether the answer is yes or no, a second question to ask before you start pounding back the iron pills is, ‘Am I sabotaging my iron absorption?’
A few years ago I discovered a book called Women’s Herbs, Women’s Health that discussed the importance of iron absorption. One chapter in the book focused on foods that increase, decrease and block iron absorption. Lately, the topic has come up in many of my consultations that I thought I would share the link to the book.
Here are a few tips that really stood out for me.
Consuming vitamin C with your iron rich foods boosts the amount of iron you absorb
Sauerkraut—that Eastern European favorite– helps you utilize as much of the iron in your meal as possible
Four foods that inhibit iron absorption include
- Caffeinated beverages ( e.g. Coffee/Black/green tea)
- Eggs and dairy
- Bran in cereal and breads
- Soy protein
To read more from the book, click this link.
Happy eating to everyone and bonne appétit!
