New Life Doula Services

06/03/2025

Preeclampsia is complex, and part of the puzzle involves the male factor. A topic that is often neglected in conventional medicine, especially as semen parameters continue to fall. ⁠
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⁠One theory, or maybe one piece of the puzzle, may involve the semen microbiome (yes, the semen has microbes). Most research on microbiome and preeclampsia have centered on the female endometrial and vaginal microbiome. Still, this study (link in bio) argues that paternal immunological factors and semen microbiome may explain some PE patterns. ⁠
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Pregnancy presents unique immunological changes that prevent the maternal immune system from attacking the embryo (it is a natural pathogen, causing tissue damage after all). Failure in this immunosuppression has been implicated in PE, as have pathogenic presences that prevent the immune system suppression (such as infections). ⁠
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Seminal fluids also contain immunomodulating compounds that promote maternal immune tolerance, kind of like waving the white flag (friend, not foe). Exposure to a patern's semen over time reduces the risk of PE by facilitating immune adaptation; it trains the immune system that this semen is safe.⁠
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This may explain why PE is more common in first-time pregnancies, 2-3x higher risk, (maybe less exposure before conception), and seems to decline after subsequent pregnancies with the same partner. ⁠
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We also see that the PE risk is higher in women who are having a child with a new s*x partner, even if she has had pregnancies in the past without PE. A 2003 study found that the use of barrier contraception before conception increased the risk of PE by 17-fold in women with short s*xual relationships before conception (< 4 months). ⁠
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Semen can also be exposed to viruses and bacteria. While not overt STDs, these will cause immune system reactions. Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma could be involved. ⁠
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When pathogens are present, the maternal immune system does its job and attacks them (regardless of exposure). They produce compounds that activate the maternal immune system, induce blood clotting, and change the uteroplacental interface.⁠
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Wanna read more, check the Link in bio

04/24/2025

This is great news for Arkansas!🎉

07/20/2024

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with a brain tumor, spinal cord tumor, or other life-changing condition after using birth control shots?

12/17/2023

The first trimester is rough for many pregnant women.

My wife, Nadia, moderately struggled with this.

Turns out she has a Very slow DAO enzyme.

Your DAO enzyme naturally breaks down histamine.

Your placenta makes its own DAO enzyme.

The issue is the placenta also makes the GDF15 enzyme. This enzyme is researched to increase hyperemesis gravidarum.

To compound the problem, histamine further increases the amount of GDF15 further increasing symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum aka severe morning sickness.

Solutions are do whatever you can to lower histamine.

- stop eating high histamine foods and drinks

- reduce aerobic activity as this increases histamine (red face after exercise, sweating profusely)

- nose breathing vs mouth breathing as this increases nitric oxide and lowers histamine

- use real folates not folic acid. such as folinic acid or methylfolate. Methylfolate can sometimes aggravate histamine do need to use folinic acid.

-supplement with phosphatidylcholine as this stabilizes cell membranes and supports gallbladder function during pregnancy. Optimal PC is available at seekinghealth.com

- use a DAO enzyme to help process histamine. It’s safe during pregnancy. Take 1 capsule of Histamine Digest as needed with or without food. You can take it as needed.

- Support healthy breakdown of histamine everywhere by using Histamine Nutrients. Use this only if Histamine Digest isn’t sufficiently helping you.

- Use Probiota Histaminx as a probiotic which supports healthy histamine levels.

- Use Prenatal Essentials MF to support healthy pregnancy and histamine metabolism. This uses only folinic acid and no methylfolate. No methylcobalamin either.

Many health professionals need to learn about these effective strategies. Share this post with them.

Share your experiences below.

Find these histamine support supplements at seekinghealth.com

❤️

09/10/2022

🗣Listen up lactation professionals!! Our times of suggesting heat first, digging into the breast with something that vibrates, and pump to empty are now over! Many of the new recommendations are practically opposite of what we have been taught over the years.

🛑The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine has change the mastitis protocol ( #36)🛑

The new protocol tells us:
✅ Feed the infant on demand and/or pump on your normal schedule- don't aim to "empty" the breasts or increase demand.
❌ No extra pumping, no aiming to "drain" the breast or the infected area. You can't suck mastitis out and increasing supply makes inflammation worse.
✅ Ice packs or cold compresses to help reduce inflammation
❌ Hot compresses can increase inflammation and make the swelling worse
✅ Gentle, sweeping lymphatic massage towards the armpit to help drain extra fluid (not milk) in the breast and... you get it... reduce inflammation
❌ Aggressive kneading and squeezing of the breast can make the swelling and inflammation worse
✅ Anti-inflammatory foods and OTC medications
⚠️ Mastitis is NOT always a bacterial infection, so antibiotics aren't always needed- sometimes they can have an anti-inflammatory side effect so it looks like they're making the mastitis better when they're not.

Read much more and check out the new ABM protocol here:

https://www.bfmed.org/assets/ABM%20Protocol%20%2336.pdf

11/25/2021

🚩 Red flag statements 🚩

“My infant is so strong they can hold their head up…”

“They scream the entire time they are in the car seat…”

“My baby skipped crawling and walked early…”

“They hate tummy time…”

“My little one only poops every 5 days but their doctor said it was normal…”

“My baby only nurses on one side…”

“They love the jumper…”

“They haven’t talked because their sibling talks for them…”

“Their doctor said they would outgrow the colic…”

“Baby hates diaper changes and getting dressed…”

If you’ve said these statements, chiropractic can help! These are all signs of sympathetic dominance, birth trauma, and tension 💔

11/14/2021

It’s long been said to be the safe choice, but research has shown how extremely important a mother’s glutathione status is on a healthy pregnancy and baby. Tylenol is know for depleting glutathione which removes some very important protection mechanisms our bodies were designed with.

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-funded-study-suggests-acetaminophen-exposure-pregnancy-linked-higher-risk-adhd-autism?fbclid=IwAR1rlRXbtPLI02bs9uv-bVpLEM_WEpZ1x_fEp54xNHKICIThzkRVyLOjG7k

Researchers analyzed data from the Boston Birth Cohort.

04/20/2021

When I was first attending births in 1984, the obstetric model was to cut the umbilical cord immediately after birth and take the baby away for evaluation and a first bath. This was based on the belief that placental blood flow would increase birth complications for babies.

Even back then, we midwives knew to do it differently - we waited until the placenta stopped pulsating - 10 or more minutes -- before clamping and cutting the cord. Baby’s did great, placentas came out readily, and all was good - even if our methods were considered silly by doctors.

Times change, science has caught up. The midwives were right. We now know that immediate cord cutting, unless there’s a medical emergency that requires it, is not recommended. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists now recommends a delay in umbilical cord clamping for at least 30–60 seconds, and the WHO recommends 2-3 minutes.

The benefits of waiting include:
❣️ Transfer to baby immunoglobulins and stem cells, essential for tissue and organ repair
❣️ Extra iron,which has been shown to prevent iron deficiency in the first year of life
❣️ Possibly reduced risk of hemorrhage and easier placental delivery for mom

While jaundice can develop from delayed cord cutting due to this influx of blood, this type of jaundice is not usually a medical problem. Baby will naturally clear this excess iron with pooping. Your midwife or pediatrician will keep an eye on baby over the first few days to make sure it’s clearing. However, the benefits of delayed cord cutting are more beneficial for baby than the risk of this jaundice.

Unfortunately, immediate cord clamping/cutting are still common practice in hospitals. You have to let your midwife or doctor know that you want to wait, with baby tummy to tummy on you, while you do. I recommend bringing this up with your care provider in advance to ensure that they are on board to do ‘delayed cord clamping and cutting’. Get specific with exactly how long you want baby to be connected to the placenta. Unsure how to advocate for yourself? Want guidance on pregnancy, birth, and newborn care? Please join the Mama Pathway - for all the support you need:

https://avivaromm.com/pregnancy-birth-pathway/

04/02/2021

What wonderful news for moms struggling with high lipase and likely underlying health conditions. This simple fix can help!!

https://www.healthyfamiliesforgod.com/blog/2014/05/bye-bye-sour-breastmilk-simple-dietary-solution-excess-lipase-breastmilk

While doing some research for my first eBook: Gluten: Biblical or Bad , I came across some startling research. I discovered that the problem some women are having with sour breastmilk that has to be boiled before giving to baby is likely due to mother's gluten intolerance. 

03/17/2021

https://mommypotamus.com/newborn-vitamin-k-shot/?fbclid=IwAR1N7SPFYjfiAHg0tWfq_MCJTnlWo4pYKV6wVO7ytOqKoFBH0n3rcCBDx3M

What are the risks and benefits of the newborn Vitamin K shot? What about oral Vitamin K and maternal supplementation? Find out in this post.

08/18/2020

Dates have been used around the world for centuries as a natural approach to preparation for labor. Several studies now support their effectiveness. Though we don’t know exactly why, they do have an impact on the start and progress of labor - likely due to an impact on the hormone oxytocin which helps labor start and progress effectively.⁠
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A 2011 study found that women who ate dates starting at 36 weeks were:⁠
🔸 Significantly more dilated when they got to the hospital⁠
🔸 Had a significantly higher rate of intact membranes⁠
🔸 Were significantly more likely to go into labor spontaneously (i.e. without induction)⁠
🔸 And had nearly half the length of first stage of labor⁠
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A 2014 study found that women who ate dates from 37 weeks on had:⁠
🔸 Greater cervical dilatation at admission⁠
🔸 Higher success rates of labor induction when needed⁠
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A 2017 study concluded that all the above was accurate and yet another study found that eating dates in pregnancy led to less bleeding immediately after birth.⁠
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Any type of dates work! The ‘dose’ is about 2.5 ounces of dates ( ~6 to 8 small dates or ~4 larger dates) daily, starting at 36 or 37 weeks and until labor begins. I love eating them plain, but you can include them in my “herbal bliss bites” (recipe on my IGTV), use them to sweeten cashew or almond milk, or include them chopped in yogurt or oatmeal. Amazingly, they also haven’t been shown to be a problem for blood sugar.⁠
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Did you use dates to prep for your labor? Do you know a pregnant mama who is prepping for labor? Tag her in the comments below so she can learn about the power of this ancient medicine!⁠
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11/28/2019

Synthetic Hormone - Pitocin. It should come as no surprise that there are unintended and poorly understood consequences.