|
 Glutathione
& Healthier Pregnancy
All
parents-to-be nurture the dream of a healthy pregnancy and baby. But
the modern environment and diet is deficient in many factors
essential for the health of mother and fetus. One of those factors
is antioxidants. The role of antioxidants like folic acid in
preventing birth defects like spina bifida and cleft palate is well
known. It is now included in all prenatal vitamin supplements. But
the role of antioxidants like glutathione and Vitamin E in pregnancy
is often overlooked. Antioxidants and glutathione status play an
important role in the development and growth of the fetus,
maintenance of a healthy pregnancy - and even before pregnancy, in
fertility and conception. Glutathione is the body's master
antioxidant. It helps to regenerate stores of other antioxidants
like Vitamin C and E. It also protects both mother and fetus from
the damaging effects of free radicals and oxidative stress. Many
pregnancy complications and birth defects have been linked to
oxidative stress, free radical damage and low glutathione levels in
the mother and fetus.
The role of glutathione in the development of the fetus and placenta
is crucial. Glutathione (GSH) can control cell differentiation,
proliferation, and cell death - essential functions in the
developing embryo. In the placenta, glutathione detoxifies
pollutants before they reach the developing child. Most substances
or factors which cause birth defects (teratogens) are known to exert
their embryotoxic effects because they cause oxidative stress. The
human placenta possesses a significant amount of glutathione S-transferase
(GST) capable of detoxification or activation of drugs and
pharmaceuticals during the critical period of organ development in
the fetus. Some drugs are known to cause birth defects in the
growing fetus by generating free radicals, and depleting GSH stores.
In the early embryonic stages, the fetus is sensitive to the toxic
and teratogenic effects of chemicals, whereas it is sensitive to
carcinogenic effects during late fetal stages.
Carcinogens administered to the mother can be transferred through
the placenta and induce cancer in the fetus. Many carcinogens are
much more active in the fetus than in adults and they tend to act as
abortifacients and teratogens as well. Environmental and lifestyle
factors are known to cause oxidative stress and lower glutathione
levels - resulting in birth defects, abortion and miscarriages in
pregnancy. Some of the known teratogens (causing birth defects) in
pregnancy include:
* Radiation
* Pesticides and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
* Air pollution
* Heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, arsenic)
* Vinyl chloride
* Acryonitrile
* Excess Oxygen (hyperoxia)
* Anti-psychotic and anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs)
* Thalidomide
* Cigarette smoke
* Alcohol (ethanol) consumption
Maternal health factors that increase free radicals and cause birth
defects include:
* Diabetes
* Pre-eclampsia
* Infection and Inflammation
Glutathione and other antioxidants attenuate oxidative stress in
pregnant women with inflammation or maternal conditions like
diabetes and pre-eclampsia, and in fetuses at risk for developing
cystic fibrosis. Supplementation with glutathione precursors and
antioxidants can decrease the incidence of birth defects and protect
both mothers and the fetus from the damaging and possibly fatal
consequences of pregnancy complications. Glutathione (GSH ) also
prevents or minimizes the oxidative stress that occurs during labor
and the birth process.
Prenatal or birth asphyxia/hypoxia (deprivation of oxygen supply to
the brain) in preterm deliveries and labor can lead to cerebral
palsy, respiratory distress syndrome, irreversible brain injury, and
permanent neurological and intellectual handicaps. Administration of
the glutathione precursor, N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC), to the pregnant
mother partially prevents oxidative stress during the birth process
in premature infants. Currently, the American College of Obstetrics
and Gynecology advises all pregnant women to take a prenatal vitamin
containing antioxidants. In addition, they advise eating lots of
fresh fruits and vegetables, the best sources of antioxidant
protection.
 Depression
and Pregnancy
At one time, doctors believed that the
hormones associated with pregnancy were a good protection against
depression. In more recent years, however, there has been a growing
body of evidence that depression during pregnancy is a serious
problem, affecting 10-20% of all women - the same proportion that
women as whole suffer without adding pregnancy into the equation.
With figures like that and with the added concern that depression
can factor into the health of the baby, it is important to know
something about how depression and pregnancy are connected. First,
it's important to recognize what depression is and what the symptoms
are. Depression is a mood disorder that may have both biological and
behavioral roots. Although healthy women frequently experience some
of the following symptoms during a pregnancy, depression is usually
diagnosed when the patient experiences three or more of the
following symptoms in the space of two weeks:
* A sense that nothing feels enjoyable or fun anymore
* Feeling blue, sad, or "empty" for most of the day, every day
* Difficulty concentrating
* Extreme irritability, agitation, or excessive crying
* Trouble sleeping or sleeping all the time
* Extreme or never-ending fatigue
* A desire to eat all the time or not wanting to eat at all
If a woman experiences three or more of these, she may be suffering
from clinical depression and should report the symptoms to her
doctor. Depression is a serious disorder, and is more than just
having "the blues." Untreated depression can interfere with a
woman's ability to care for her self during pregnancy, and can push
a woman to neglect vital personal care, thus hurting her unborn
child. In extreme cases, the condition can also put her at risk for
suicide, and for abuse of substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and
illegal drugs. Depression may also interfere with the ability to
bond with the child, and can also increase the risk for having an
episode of depression after delivery (postpartum depression). In
addition, recent studies have shown the possibility of links between
depression in the mother and such serious conditions as
 premature
delivery, low birth weight, spontaneous miscarriage, and gestational
hypertension, or preeclampsia. Doctors feel that there are several
major causes which can contribute to a depression during pregnancy.
Having an existing history of clinical depression or PMDD
(Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, a severe type of premenstrual
syndrome or PMS) is paramount among these, as a predisposition to
the disorder can increase the chance that pregnancy and its
attendant stresses will bring on an episode. Age at time of
pregnancy is also a factor -- the younger the woman is, the higher
the risk of depression. There are also environmental factors to
consider. If the woman is living alone, without the support of a
partner, and has limited social support; if there are already
multiple children in the family, or there is a history of marital
conflict and ambivalence about the pregnancy, there is a greatly
increased risk of a significant clinical depression.
If a pregnant woman believes that she is experiencing depression,
she should seek medical advice immediately. This is not a condition
that will simply go away; treatment to avoid the serious
consequences listed above is vital. Fortunately, there are many ways
to treat depression during pregnancy. One of the most important is
for the woman to take a step back and realize that she may not have
to do everything she did before the pregnancy. If a social network
and supportive partner are available, much of the self-imposed
stress of trying to maintain a normal, pre-pregnancy routine can be
alleviated by doing less while others take up the slack. If these
resources are not available, psychotherapy is an effective way to
help the patient get at root causes of feelings of helplessness and
low self-worth, thus allowing her to cope better. Self care is
critical - developing good sleeping habits, regular diet and
exercise routines and the like are also effective treatments.
Medications are also available, but as with any drugs taken during
pregnancy, there are risks that must be considered. Some
antidepressants have been associated with serious side effects for
the baby; any use of these drugs should be discussed carefully with
a trained doctor so that risks are balanced against the benefits.
Keeping in mind that depression is a serious illness; there are
times when the benefits of treating a depressive episode with drugs
outweigh the possible downside. As with any medical condition that
occurs during a pregnancy, depression requires a skilled diagnosis
and treatment by a trusted specialist. Women who are at risk for
depression or who are experiencing the symptoms owe it to themselves
to address the problem as soon as possible.
 Alleviating
Pregnancy Back Pain
Pregnancy back pain is so common that
most women just assume that it is a normal part of pregnancy and
don’t seek ways to alleviate their pain. While it is true that
pregnancy back pain is common, in fact it affects around 50 percent
of pregnant women, it is not true that nothing can be done to
prevent or relieve the pain. Obviously if you are pregnant and
suffering with back pain, you do not want to take drugs or
supplements to treat your pain since they could have an effect on
your baby. Instead, it is best to find natural methods of reducing
pregnancy back pain. These techniques might also come in handy as
time goes on and your back is under the strain of lifting a baby or
carrying a squirming 20 pound toddler.
First let’s take a look at what might be causing your pregnancy back
pain: -Carrying extra weight. Putting on extra weight and it being
concentrated in the abdominal area can put a strain on your
back.-Shift in weight. Your spine bears the weight of your body and
evenly distributes it to hold you upright. With the additional
weight over your abdomen, it can throw off the spinal alignment
causing back aches. -Hormonal changes. Your skeleton undergoes
changes during pregnancy too. In fact your pelvic bones and joints
loosen up and soften in preparation for the birth of your baby. Your
pelvic region becomes more pliant and therefore might create
discomfort upon walking. Tips to Alleviate Pregnancy Back Pain
Maintaining proper posture throughout your pregnancy will go a long
way towards preventing pregnancy back pain. Under normal conditions,
in order to protect your back and promote back health, you would
maintain a straight back with shoulders parallel to the ground and
level. When you are pregnant however, your center of gravity shifts
and pulls your spine out of alignment. Therefore, for as long as you
are able, maintain good posture during the early months of pregnancy
to strengthen your back muscles and provide proper support for your
spine. When your belly starts to grow, be careful not to adopt a
posture that throws your shoulders too far back in an effort to
counterbalance the weight around your abdomen.
In addition to maintaining good posture, you should also avoid
standing for extended periods of time. Don’t cross your legs. Change
your position often. When sitting, keep your feet slightly elevated.
When sleeping, it is best to sleep on your side. Sleep with a body
pillow if you have one. Otherwise sleep with one pillow under your
abdomen, and another pillow between your bended knees.
|
