Healthier mothers and babies is what everyone wants
When me and my sister where babies ,we grew up in daycare .Both of our parents worked and there was nobody to take care at home.
Mommy stay with me:Maternal seperation and baby health
Back then government didn’t give mother’s childcare leave.
Looking back ,my memories say growing up days were fun. No really horrible memories.Back then we missed our mom, but there was nothing she could do.We needed the money.
Fast forward to today.I am luckier.I didn’t have a full time job when my baby was born.And now my work has flexible timing and a better government policy of childcare, supporting it.
But even then I worry .When I have to take leave suddenly due to baby issues.It always sounds like an excuse.But all moms know, the most difficult thing in this world is to walk away from teary eyed little ones.
But the question is no longer just the babies immediate health.Your decision will change a little person’s life.
Baby’s health and mothers health are important parameters of health standards and improvement.
Government has expensive projects in place to make healthier mothers and babies.
But still we are haunted by the increasing number of mental and physical lifestyle diseases.
A few things are different for different socio economic classes.
India’s uncontrolled population explosion ,lack of strict birth control makes good healthcare facilities ,adequate nutrition, difficult for the large majority below the poverty level.Their problem has no solution ,till the people in charge understand that limited resources , and unlimited babies make for impossible situations.They make gullible votebanks ,but unproductive citizens
In a country where survival of babies is often the primary question,few have time to worry about their future physical and mental health.
But if you want a better tomorrow for your baby you may need to plan your today well.
What research says?
Healthy mothers have healthy babies.What you think too can affect your baby
Mothers nutrition and child’s nutrition both are important.Nutrition has a large role .Both undernutrition and over nutrition will cause malnutrition.There’s malnutrition of obesity to watch out for.
Stress levels during pregnancy can alter the stress response in the unborn child.
Childhood stresses can cause lifetime harm ,both psychologically and physically.
Your physical and mental health has a lot to do with your childhood.
Yes you already know this.
But did you know most of your adult diseases ,can be traced back to childhood?
Mother’s will sigh in exasperation. What else are we suppose to take care of?
Just blaming childhood stresses ,is but oversimplification.
The various researches show a 2 ‘HIT'(3) theory.
1st hit is a stressors in childhood .This cause changes at the cellular level and in your brain wiring.Your adaptation is good ,average or poor,
Presence or absence of a similarly potent stressor later .A cascade of neurochemical,neurohormonal, over -reaction.Because your brain is already sensitized you go into protective mode.
Result:
Metabolic diseases and mental health problems.
That’s scary ,but I am hopeful
Because this is good research .
Why You ask?
Someone is finally talking about it.Maybe things will change
Government of Italy has declared 22nd September “Fertility Day”.They want to encourage women to have children.They have a declining childbirth rate ,and an economic slump.But the Government gives inadequate support to working mothers and most private companies don’t have flexibility for working moms.
The research findings can help .A lot.
To help moms stand up for “work from home” policy.
To take jobs with flexible work hours.
To not have to explain why they want to be with their babies and compromise the career ladder.
For child right biggies to keep in mind ,for future recommendations and actions.
For corporations to take Corporate social responsibility to another level
Plus you are at risk, only if you face another episode of high chronic stress.So actively try to decrease stress Teach children to cope positively with it.
Another good news is, since you know this ,you can have lifestyle habits in place to deal with it.
Yes you can beat the childhood
scars by practicing healthy lifestyle .
There’s a lot of science backing this up.Many studies has been done including one at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai .
Sress in early childhood causes change in muscle mitochondria.
(Mitochondria are the cellular organelles which help you generate ATP as energy currency for your body.)
Hypothalamic pituitary axis which controls stress has an altered response (3).
Stressors removed .Normal growth pattern.
Re-exposure to similar stressors later in life:Metabolic dysfunction ,physiological and emotional distress.
What are the early life stressors that can cause this?
Prenatal postnatal early childhood ,adolescent period are all susceptible.
Stressors may be:
Nutritional
Emotional
Physical
Sexual.
They may present as:
Starvation during famine and war
Maternal separation
Childhood neglect
Adverse parenting
Childhood physical or sexual abuse
Medical trauma
These stressors can alter the stress adaptation responses.
They are major risk factors for developing metabolic disorders (1)
With improved environment children can adapt themselves to these stressors .Growing up,they will be externally normal.But since these cellular changes have happened ,if exposed to chronic stress in later life ,metabolic and psychological problems can be precipitated .
Why does this happen?
Childhood stress reprograms your HPA axis (3)and your brain in general .
Some people adapt well due to good environment follow primary stress exposure.
But others may have maladaptive responses.This can cause inappropriately high levels of cortisol in your blood during exposure to chronic stress as adults.
The pancreatic B cells may be lower in number following childhood stress adaptation.
What this means ?
If you face high level of chronic stress later in life your brain and hormones can over react.
Exercise:Low levels of physical activity is seen to increase and precipitate theses metabolic problems.A good physical exercise schedule protects against development of these metabolic disorders.
Avoid high calorie diet .Swinging insulin levels can make you prone to 2 Diabetes ,obesity,depression,anxiety and a host of other problems.
Practice mental healthexercises.
All moms deserve to spend time with their babies.All babies need their mothers.
3)Early-Life Stress, HPA Axis Adaptation, and Mechanisms Contributing to Later Health Outcomes.Jayanthi Maniam, Christopher Antoniadis, and Margaret J. Morris[PubMed]
4)Nemet D, Dolfin T, Litmanowitz I, Shainkin-Kestenbaum R, Lis M, Eliakim A.Evidence for exercise-induced bone formation in premature infants. Int J Sports Med (2002) 23:82–510.1055/s-2002-20134[PubMed]
5)Franks PW, Ekelund U, Brage S, Wong MY, Wareham NJ. Does the association of habitual physical activity with the metabolic syndrome differ by level of cardiorespiratory fitness?Diabetes Care(2004) 27:1187–9310.2337/diacare.27.5.1187 [PubMed]
6)Mason SM, Flint AJ, Field AE, Austin SB, Rich-Edwards JW. Abuse victimization in childhood or adolescence and risk of food addiction in adult women. Obesity (Silver Spring) (2013) 21:E775–8110.1002/oby.20500 [PubMed]
7)Mela V, Llorente-Berzal A, Diaz F, Argente J, Viveros MP, Chowen JA.Maternal deprivation exacerbates the response to a high fat diet in a sexually dimorphic manner. PLoS One (2012)7(11):e48915.10.1371/journal.pone.0048915 [PubMed]
8)Masuzaki H, Flier JS. Tissue-specific glucocorticoid reactivating enzyme, 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11 beta-HSD1) – a promising drug target for the treatment of metabolic syndrome.Curr Drug Targets Immune Endocr Metabol Disord (2003) 3:255–6210.2174/1568008033340135 [PubMed]
I am an ENT surgeon by profession, previously working at a Medical college. I believe the Internet is God's way of providing health and wealth information for all. The important thing is to find the right information.
Taking care of the mothers health is important for the baby as well as the mother, in fact the family as a whole benefits from the health of the mother in the long run
Very thoughtful article! For me, separation from children happens when I am out of town. Initial few minutes are tough for me. Kids say they enjoy with their fathger when I am away. But when I come back, they get emotional. Dont know how emotions are controlling them. My separation from them has definitely made them closer to each other and their father.
Atleast you have a loving partner to share your pains.Somethings are God’s will we have to try as much as possible.I decided to shift with my husband to a small town because both of us otherwise would otherwise be out if town for 3 days per week.That’s difficult. Spend quality time whenever you are home.All will be well
This is a great post! I was very conscious of how I felt and how it would affect my son when I was pregnant.
I’m all for being close to your child – from nursing to co-sleeping. Loving home atmosphere and upbringing make a great childhood. Great summary and lots of valid information in a shot read. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks for such kind comments. Glad you found it useful
The maternity policy came in late in India but thankfully something is here now. India should learn from countries like Sweden where they ask for mandatory dad’s presence for childcare. kids thrive best with their parents not attendants at day care!
Absolutely. But atleast now we are discussing this.When my mom was working it was a crime to say kids are ill.????
The maternity policy came in late, but thankfully it is there at least now. India should also learn from countries like Sweden where they make even paternity leave mandatory. Children thrive with their parents – specially moms and not with care givers or attendants in day care! Nice detailed post Amrita.
This was quite interesting! I am family planning at the moment and doing extensive research on how my hubby and I can prepare. Thanks for sharing this great information.
That’s great. But don’t worry too much.Just have happy thoughts.Read listen to music.Watch beautiful stuff and be healthy????
What great research. I think this is really important for moms to be or new moms. Many probably don’t realize that their stress can be passed on to their unborn child and later effect them in life.
I agree mothers need to have the financial freedom and social support to be able to spend the time they want at home. If only governments would realize it’s in their best interests over the long-term.
What an informative post. As a mother with young kids this supports some of our present family decisions for our kids! I had no idea though that emotional stress when we’re young has so much correlation to our adulthood ailments! Thank you for sharing.
such an insightful article! stress is a huge concern. especially return to work mothers, stress can overtake health so quickly from all the anxieties of trying to be a mother, wife and working parent.
It is so important to keep stress levels down so you can be healthy. And the bond between a mother and her child is so important from the very beginning.
What a detailed and insightful post, I specially agree with the statement that what we think affect sour babies as its our thoughts that attract our reality! So we must think amazingly good thoughts for our babies! Always even when they are grown! Thanks for sharing at the pit stop!
Hi Julie thanks for visiting from the blogger’s Pit stop.Positive thoughts are the most important thing for health .Infact its important for everything.
Thanks for the feedback.
Great article as always. Are you in the medical field, Amrita?
Thanks dear. Yes I am an ENT surgeon and a teacher in a medical college ????
Your post is so thorough. It’s interesting to read about the differences between India and the US. I wish the US government had better options for mothers who want to stay home with their children. I work 12 hours a day and only get to see my son for 2 hours before bed. It’s rough, but you got to do what you got to do.
That’s tough
The government jobs have maternity leave for 6 months .Childcare leave for upto 2 years.This childcare leave however can’t be taken together. But in batches.It’s also not easy to get it approved????
Thanks for sharing this. A great read for potential mamas!
I had my second baby in May. I teach so I can’t call in sick easily. This year we made the difficult decision for me to stay home. It has its ups and downs but I wouldn’t have it any other way
This is very informative and reminds me that there is so much responsibility to being a mother. Luckily, no one is perfect and we all do the best we can. Knowledge is power, though, so thank you!
Thats a nice way to take this in
Thanks for reading.
I knew about childhood stress, but not at this level. Thanks so much for this informative post. Mothers need to be happy and healthy to raise a healthy family and I totally believe in that.
That is a well reasearched Paper Amrita! There are so many lifestyle issues off late that health has begun deteriorating with every passing day. if mothers are not healthy, the future generation is surely going to be hit very badly. Nice article
Taking care of the mothers health is important for the baby as well as the mother, in fact the family as a whole benefits from the health of the mother in the long run
You are absolutely right Menaka. Glad you found this useful
It took a while just to read the reference section. Thank you Doc.
Very thoughtful article! For me, separation from children happens when I am out of town. Initial few minutes are tough for me. Kids say they enjoy with their fathger when I am away. But when I come back, they get emotional. Dont know how emotions are controlling them. My separation from them has definitely made them closer to each other and their father.
Atleast you have a loving partner to share your pains.Somethings are God’s will we have to try as much as possible.I decided to shift with my husband to a small town because both of us otherwise would otherwise be out if town for 3 days per week.That’s difficult. Spend quality time whenever you are home.All will be well
This is a great post! I was very conscious of how I felt and how it would affect my son when I was pregnant.
Yes as moms we know this intuitively
I’m all for being close to your child – from nursing to co-sleeping. Loving home atmosphere and upbringing make a great childhood. Great summary and lots of valid information in a shot read. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks for such kind comments. Glad you found it useful
The maternity policy came in late in India but thankfully something is here now. India should learn from countries like Sweden where they ask for mandatory dad’s presence for childcare. kids thrive best with their parents not attendants at day care!
Absolutely. But atleast now we are discussing this.When my mom was working it was a crime to say kids are ill.????
The maternity policy came in late, but thankfully it is there at least now. India should also learn from countries like Sweden where they make even paternity leave mandatory. Children thrive with their parents – specially moms and not with care givers or attendants in day care! Nice detailed post Amrita.
This was quite interesting! I am family planning at the moment and doing extensive research on how my hubby and I can prepare. Thanks for sharing this great information.
That’s great. But don’t worry too much.Just have happy thoughts.Read listen to music.Watch beautiful stuff and be healthy????
What great research. I think this is really important for moms to be or new moms. Many probably don’t realize that their stress can be passed on to their unborn child and later effect them in life.
Yes that was a surpise for me too.The detailed research helped me understand how to beat it.Thanks for reading
So much good information here. We definitely need to have better plans in place to help both parents and children.
Yes all over the world ,there’s a problem. That’s why so much of lifestyle diseases
Very detailed post about mothers and their children. I wasn’t aware of much of this. Thank you.
I agree mothers need to have the financial freedom and social support to be able to spend the time they want at home. If only governments would realize it’s in their best interests over the long-term.
Yes true.Support us needed
Yes true.Support is needed
What an informative post. As a mother with young kids this supports some of our present family decisions for our kids! I had no idea though that emotional stress when we’re young has so much correlation to our adulthood ailments! Thank you for sharing.
Wow, I am amazed at all this information!
Very Informative post buddy
Thanks Roma
That’s something really impressive! A detailed post on childcare and other things 🙂 Keep writing!
Thanks Saumya
Very well researched article Amrita!! Loved reading it .
Thanks Soniya
That’s some intense information to take in. Thank you, though, for sharing this, it’s good to be educated and aware.
Thanks Soniya. Appreciate the feedback.
such an insightful article! stress is a huge concern. especially return to work mothers, stress can overtake health so quickly from all the anxieties of trying to be a mother, wife and working parent.
Yes .That’s so true.
It is so important to keep stress levels down so you can be healthy. And the bond between a mother and her child is so important from the very beginning.
Yes that’s the most important bond.
What a detailed and insightful post, I specially agree with the statement that what we think affect sour babies as its our thoughts that attract our reality! So we must think amazingly good thoughts for our babies! Always even when they are grown! Thanks for sharing at the pit stop!
Hi Julie thanks for visiting from the blogger’s Pit stop.Positive thoughts are the most important thing for health .Infact its important for everything.
Thanks for the feedback.
Great article as always. Are you in the medical field, Amrita?
Thanks dear. Yes I am an ENT surgeon and a teacher in a medical college ????
Your post is so thorough. It’s interesting to read about the differences between India and the US. I wish the US government had better options for mothers who want to stay home with their children. I work 12 hours a day and only get to see my son for 2 hours before bed. It’s rough, but you got to do what you got to do.
That’s tough
The government jobs have maternity leave for 6 months .Childcare leave for upto 2 years.This childcare leave however can’t be taken together. But in batches.It’s also not easy to get it approved????
Thanks for sharing this. A great read for potential mamas!
Thanks Divya
Ooooo so much valuable info here!!!! Childhood stress is something not to ignore.
Childhood stress can be devastating. But there’s hope.
Informative post !!
Thanks Ruchi
I had my second baby in May. I teach so I can’t call in sick easily. This year we made the difficult decision for me to stay home. It has its ups and downs but I wouldn’t have it any other way
Great decision. Glad you took the plunge
This is very informative and reminds me that there is so much responsibility to being a mother. Luckily, no one is perfect and we all do the best we can. Knowledge is power, though, so thank you!
No one is perfect. But we all try.That’s the best thing.Trying.Trying to be better everyday.Thank you so much for reading
This was a lot of helpful information. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks Amber
There’s a lot of good information in here. I’ll have to keep this in mind if I ever have children.
Thats a nice way to take this in
Thanks for reading.
I knew about childhood stress, but not at this level. Thanks so much for this informative post. Mothers need to be happy and healthy to raise a healthy family and I totally believe in that.
Thank you so much for such kind words.Glad you found this helpful.
that is lot of good information..thanks for sharing with us 🙂
Thanks Deepa
That is a well reasearched Paper Amrita! There are so many lifestyle issues off late that health has begun deteriorating with every passing day. if mothers are not healthy, the future generation is surely going to be hit very badly. Nice article
Thanks Menaka. Loved the feedback.Very kind of you
lot of research…good read. #zarahatkeblogreads