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.

I am one of those with high risk pregnancies. I don’t completely relax until that baby is born and I know he/she is healthy. Many women think that once the baby is born and pronounced healthy, life will be perfect. What we don’t anticipate is a well baby check-up that yields concern on the doctor’s face. Autism is one of those life complications we keep hearing about, however we never believe it could be us getting that diagnosis. Autism has been a mystery thus far. Many people attribute it to vaccinations although unsupported in studies conducted.

The National Birth Defect Registry has recently released a study. It is a small sampling so of course not entirely conclusive as far as evidence based care goes. However, I think this is an amazing step in that direction. The direction of figuring out what causes this disease and if we can prevent it in some form or fashion. I also found this doctor’s very interesting take on it all.

Hopefully in the next few years we will know the causes of this disorder/disease. If it is indeed changes we can make prenatally, we will be able to arm women with that very powerful information and nearly eradicate it once again. If perhaps it is genetics, then our very intelligent doctors will be able to find a cure.

To all of you who this is a very real issue each and every day, may you find encouragement that we are one step closer. Our world is a much better place because of your dedication!