MaMa Mentoring; pregnancy thru preschool

08/23/2025

The birth preparation classes he held were gathering pregnant couples together around a piano at the birth center and singing.

08/23/2025

By Katherine J. Wu

08/22/2025

More good news for moms that are able to breastfeed.

Study links breastfeeding to long-term heart health benefits for mothers
by Liz Bonis, WKRC Wed, August 20th 2025

"CINCINNATI (WKRC) — A new study released today highlights the long-term health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers, suggesting it may reduce the risk of heart attacks even decades later.

The research, conducted by a team at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine, found that women who breastfeed, particularly those diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy, may lower their risk of certain heart concerns.
Dr. Elizabeth Arleo, a breastfeeding advocate and author of the upcoming book "Bye Bye Mama's Milk," emphasized the study's significance. "A stronger immune system, decreased childhood infections and many others," she said, listing the benefits of breastfeeding for babies. Arleo, who breastfed all three of her children, said this study adds to her reasons for supporting breastfeeding.

Dr. Kartik Venkatesh, the senior author of the study and a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Ohio State University, explained the findings. "That breastfeeding has a powerful impact on decreasing your risk of having a heart attack, stroke and this impact is decades after you are postpartum and pregnant," he said.

The study analyzed the predicted risk for heart problems in more than 4,500 women at both 10 and 30 years after delivery. Researchers discovered that the lifetime risk of cardiovascular complications is lower in those who breastfeed compared to those who do not.

Dr. Venkatesh suggested that the breastfeeding mechanism itself might be responsible for these benefits. "With regard to inflammation, oxidative stress, your lipids or fat cells in your body, they are all being positively impacted through breastfeeding," he said.

Even short-term breastfeeding may offer significant health benefits, according to the study."

Reference:
Obstet Gynecol 2025 May 22;146(1):11-18. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005943.
Association Between Breastfeeding and Long-Term Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Christine Field 1, William A Grobman, Jiqiang Wu, Anna Palatnik, Mark B Landon, Denise Scholtens, William Lowe, Nilay S Shah, Jami Josefson, Sadiya Khan, Kartik K Venkatesh
Affiliations Expand
PMID: 40408182 PMCID: PMC12178817 (available on 2026-05-22) DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005943
Abstract
Objective: To estimate whether breastfeeding is associated with the estimated risk of long-term atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and whether this association varies with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis from the prospective HAPO (Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome) Follow-Up Study. The exposure was any breastfeeding (yes or no). The primary outcomes, measured 10-14 years after delivery with the Framingham Risk Score, were estimated ASCVD risk (composite of fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease and stroke) over the subsequent 10- and 30-year time periods. Multivariable linear regression models were used and adjusted for baseline pregnancy covariates: field center, age, body mass index (BMI), height, smoking and alcohol use, parity, and time from delivery to ASCVD risk assessment. Secondarily, we examined whether the association between breastfeeding and ASCVD varied by GDM status (effect modification).

Results: Of 4,540 individuals, the median age was 30.6 years at baseline. More than three-fourths (79.7%) reported breastfeeding, which did not vary by GDM status (79.5% vs 81.0%). At 10-14 years after delivery (median 11.6 years), individuals who breastfed had a lower estimated risk of ASCVD over the subsequent 10 years (2.3% vs 2.5%, adjusted β -0.13, 95% CI, -0.25 to -0.02) and 30 years (6.2% vs 6.9%, adjusted β -0.36, 95% CI, -0.66 and -0.05). The association between breastfeeding and estimated ASCVD risk varied significantly by GDM status: The protective effect of breastfeeding was greater for individuals with GDM for estimated 10-year ASCVD risk (GDM: adjusted β -0.52, 95% CI, -0.98 and -0.05; no GDM: adjusted β -0.09, 95% CI, -0.20 and -0.02; interaction P =.004) and 30-year ASCVD risk (GDM: adjusted β -1.33, 95% CI, -2.53 and -0.14; no GDM: adjusted β -0.25, 95% CI, -0.54 and 0.03; interaction P =.003).

Conclusion: Breastfeeding, particularly after an individual had GDM, was associated with a lower estimated risk of long-term ASCVD. These findings indicate the potential benefit of breastfeeding for long-term cardiovascular health, especially among those with GDM.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40408182/

https://local12.com/health/health-updates/study-links-breastfeeding-to-long-term-heart-health-benefits-for-mothers

08/21/2025

The birth world has lost a great man. A man who dared to go against the patriarchy of the medical system by simply asking the question, "What would women do during labor and birth if no one imposed systems, ideas or protocols on them?" Through this basic framework he returned birth to women. He eventually stopped attending births because he felt even just his presence was interfering with the birthing parents' process. Instead he wrote, spoke, and continued to research. He concentrated on oxytocin, the hormone that binds human to human, and the power of love. If you have not read any of his books, I invite you to read, "The Scientification of Love." Then consider how far the world's birth practices have strayed from this template and the current state of human interaction.

We are so sorry to hear this news from Michel Odent's family.

"It is with great sorrow that the family of Dr Michel Odent announce his death at the age of 95. Dr Odent was born July 7, 1930, in Bresles, France. He died peacefully in London, England, on August 19, 2025 following a brief illness.

Dr Odent trained as a general surgeon in Paris, and advocated for the demedicalisation of birth whilst in charge of Pithiviers Hospital. In later life, he founded the Primal Health Research Centre in London, and published extensively on topics related to childbirth and early breastfeeding.

He is survived by many loved ones, including his partner Liliana, and children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His family wishes to express their thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff of St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to La Leche League. Dr Odent will be cremated in a private family service with a public memorial to follow in several weeks."

08/20/2025

Beautiful day at the park to walk, play and talk. Little ones and moms connecting.

Join us next Tuesday when we discuss "The Birth of a Mother."

08/10/2025

Breastfeeding isn’t always a baby at the breast.
Sometimes it’s a bottle you just pumped at 3am.
Sometimes it’s a syringe and a prayer.
Sometimes it’s crying while hooked to a pump…again.

This week isn’t just about the “perfect latch.”
It’s about the moms who fight like hell to make it work.
Who pour their hearts into every ounce.
Who refuse to quit… even when things get hard.

Happy World Breastfeeding Week to the ones doing it all, no matter what it looks like. 🤱🏼🌍💕

08/08/2025

Prenatal Stress Leaves Molecular Marks on Newborns with Gender-Specific Effects

A groundbreaking study from the Hebrew University reveals that stress during pregnancy can molecularly reprogram a baby’s stress-response system before birth showing significant differences between males and females. Researchers found that high maternal stress levels alter fragments of transfer RNA (tRFs) in the umbilical cord blood, particularly those related to acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter involved in brain and immune function.

The changes were most striking in female newborns, who showed an almost complete decline in specific mitochondrial tRFs. In contrast, male newborns exposed to maternal stress exhibited elevated levels of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, potentially indicating a dysregulated stress-response system.

Using advanced machine learning, scientists could classify infants exposed to prenatal stress with 95% accuracy based on their molecular signatures. These findings highlight how maternal stress can impact long-term neurodevelopment and stress regulation underlining the importance of maternal mental health during pregnancy.

This research opens the door to potential early diagnostics and interventions aimed at reducing lifelong risks tied to prenatal stress exposure.