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Supporting Optimal Fetal

Development

The history of man for the nine months

preceding his birth would, probably, be far

more interesting and contain events of

greater moment than for all the three score

and ten years that follow it.

~Samuel Taylor Coleridge

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Stress primes the offspring us to expect this

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At peak 250,000 brain cells are being produced every

minute during the prenatal period

The importance of the womb

environment for proper

development of brain function,

immune function, mental and

behavioral health can be even

more important than genetics.

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http://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/10/incarceration.aspx

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But what?

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Use the lowest dose necessary to provide

the desired effect

Sometimes that dose is NONE

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Current levels of uncertainty about long-

term impacts suggest we:

Develop research priorities

Avoid unneeded interventions

Interventions should be based on

what we already know about normal

reproductive hormonal physiology

and epigenetics

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A non-pharmacologic approach which

supports the normal reproductive

hormonal physiology and theory of

positive epigenetic changes

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Increased activity in

left frontal and

limbic

Increased theta and

alpha frequencies

Shifts brain from

sympathetic to

parasympathetic

activity

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Increased concentration, improved

self-control and better emotional

balance.

Increased positive mood, emotional

stability and resilience.

More mature coping strategies and

tolerance of common stressors.

These effects are passed to fetus with maternal practice

and don’t forget the long term generational effects through

epigenetic programming!

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Helps build flexibility

and strength needed

for birth

Emphasis is on

breath and deliberate

relaxation

Can be modified

easily for high risk

pregnancies

“Yoga works not because poses are relaxing but

because they are stressful . . . It‘s the practice of

remaining calm during the stress that creates the

neurobiological benefit”

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PEACE AND HAPPINESS STRESS AND DISEASE

What can you do in your current

practice to change the trajectory of

our dismal truths?

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During pregnancy, birth and postpartum

period

To provide optimal brain development for

a peaceful future

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Duncan, Larissa and Bardacke, Nancy. 2010 “Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting

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Buddha’s Brain; The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love and Wisdom Rick

Hansen, Ph.D

Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain and

Illness Jon Kabat-Zinn

Life Before Birth - the Hidden Script that Rules our Lives Arthur Janov

Mindful Birthing: Training the Mind, Body, and Heart for Childbirth and Beyond Nancy

Bardacke

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The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter and Miracles Bruce H. Lipton

Windows to the Womb: Revealing the Conscious Baby from Conception to Birth David Chamberlain

Beddoe, A.E., Lee, K.A., (2008). Mind –body interventions during pregnancy. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing, 37, 165-175

Dunn, C. et al. (2012). Mindful pregnancy and childbirth: effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on women’s psychological distress and well-being in the perinatal period. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 15, 139-143.

Furber, C.M. et al. (2009). A qualitative study of mild to moderate psychological distress during pregnancy. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 46, 669-677.

Hughes, A. et al. (2008). Mindfulness approaches to childbirth and parenting. Coping Strategies.

Lazinski, M.J. et al. (2008). Effects of maternal stress on offspring development: a commentary. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 11, 363-375.

Sale, R. (2008). Mindful yoga as a vehicle for childbirth education. International Journal of Childbirth Education, 23(4).

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prenatal-stress-child