Significant physiological stress and disrupted sleep patterns were recorded in 2-day-old newborns who were physically separated from their mothers but remained within close proximity in the same room, according to a study in Biological Psychiatry.

Research has shown that close contact between mothers and newborns in the first few hours of life significantly improves breastfeeding rates. Sleeping in the same bed, however, is strongly discouraged inWestern countries.

Heart-rate monitors recorded the physiological responses of 16 South African newborns, 10 boys and six girls, during one hour of skin-on-skin contact with their mothers and one hour facing her from a  bassinet. Mothers were 17 to 40 years of age and had no post-natal complications.

Compared with close maternal contact, separation triggered a nearly three-fold increase in autonomic nervous system activity, including heart-rate and respiration changes, and an 86% decrease in quiet or non-rapid eye movement sleep, the study found.

A drop in body temperature could explain the sleep changes but infants aren’t well evolved to cope with maternal separation, researchers said. Disrupting important early maternal-neonatal interactions may affect later development, they said.

Caveat: The newborns’ body temperature, cortisol levels and other acute-stress markers weren’t measured. The study was small.

It has become widely known as the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’ and there are now 145 Laureates from 61 countries.

Presented annually in Stockholm at a ceremony in the Swedish Parliament, the Right Livelihood Award is usually shared by four Recipients, but not all Laureates receive a cash award. Often an Honorary Award is given to a person or group whose work the Jury wishes to recognise but who is not primarily in need of monetary support. The prize money in 2011 was 150,000 €. The prize money is for ongoing successful work, never for personal use.

2011 Laureate Ina May Gaskin has been called “the most famous midwife in the world”. A pioneer in a millennium-old profession on the brink of extinction in her country, she combines scientific evidence and analysis with her own broad experience in exercising natural medicine. Ina May Gaskin is a role model for midwives who still dare to think in different paths, trying to implement more humane obstetrics in their countries, and providing women with the chance to choose the way of giving birth that seems right for them.

<http://www.rightlivelihood.org/inamay_gaskin.html>

September 29, 11

Immanuel United Methodist Church
2551 Dixie Highway
Lakeside Park, KY 41017-3076
7pm-8:30pm

“Meet the Doulas” is an opportunity for expectant mothers and their partners to meet local area doulas. There is plenty of time for questions and networking.   Please join us!

There is so much included in this wonderful training -

You will learn how to assist women in labor, receive resources and information about birth options and choices, all the necessary information to complete your toLabor certification and begin your career as a doula!

Please contact me for a detailed brochure outlining the organization and the training.

Register by April 12th for an early registration discount.  Remember that payment plans and scholarships are available!! (Also a discount for doulas who have previously trained with another organization!)

Please feel free to forward this to other groups/list and women who may be interested!

For further questions please contact Messa at 859-441-4220 or mamamessa@yahoo.com