Another reason to seek the services of a birth doula to help avoid an epidural and why I am an aspiring herbalist.  One of the speakers at the Autism One Conference, Elaine DeLack, RN spoke on her hypothesis of the originating cause of autism.  One of the causes she believes is an epidural with pitocen during childbirth.  She theorizes this causes a change in the baby’s brain chemistry which later manifests itself during the natural changes of the child’s brain.  Here is an article explaining this more in depth.

Here is the synopsis of her lecture from the Autism One website:

“This presentation will explain how the metabolic imbalances, gastric problems, and core symptoms of autism may be the result of a malfunction of the mitochondrial enzyme, MAO-A. The presentation will discuss how stress, genetics, epidurals with Pitocin (oxytocin) augmentation during childbirth, toxins such as mercury, aluminum, high copper and cadmium are possible risk factors contributing to the overall symptoms resulting from the MAO-A deficiency. This science provides the rationale unifying the benefits seen from various therapies such as the gluten-free and casein-free diet, hyperbaric oxygen, methylcobalamin and Respen-A.”

I find this very fascinating and hope to see more concrete research in the near future.  Maybe this is the breakthrough that is needed to really understand this mysterious diagnosis and help families before their child starts showing signs.