My doctor just told me that there is a chance that I might be developing pre-eclampsia. What I would like to know is besides bedrest, is there any thing that I can do to prevent this from actually happening.
In Reply to: Re: fatal pregnancy disease- preclampsia posted by Michelle on July 01, 1998 at 23:33:03:
Dear Michelle,
This is a TOTALLY preventable disease. Read everything about this condition that has been put on this BB over the past month. THEN, get started on the easily absorbed magnesium, as recommended. It cannot harm you and, if your condition has not already progressed to the stage where the magnesium has to be given by injection, you will feel better within a day or so. ASK your doc if his treatment for eclampsia would not be injectable magnesium!
Why wait till you are in crisis for replacing what is missing?
Walt
In Reply to: Re: fatal pregnancy disease- preclampsia posted by Michelle on July 01, 1998 at 23:33:03:
Dr. Stoll...can you recommend anyone in the NY area. Say LOng Island maybe?? My first pregnancy was induced and C-sectioned at 31 1/2 weeks because my BP just would not go down. Because of this my BP is still borderline high. I am so scared of next time! Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated!!Thank you for your time!
In Reply to: Re: fatal pregnancy disease- preclampsia posted by Jennifer on July 21, 1998 at 00:02:30:
Dear Jennifer,
First, while you are finding the right person, I would suggest you start taking an easily absorbed form of magnesium (glycinate, orotate or aspartate) at a rate of at least 2 grams of elemental magnesium per day. This cannot hurt either you or your baby and might just help a lot. If you do not know what I mean by elemental, ask the owner of the store where you get it as it is best explained with bottle in hand. This is a fairly complex definition and I hope merchants are knowledgable enough about their product to explain it. If not, write again & I will try it here on the internet.
NEXT, I would learn an effective skilled relaxation technique and practice it at least 20 minutes twice a day (not including any you might do within 2 hours of retiring). If you are unaware of this, go to the FAQ for this 'site and read about it.
Finally, the closest WONDERFUL OB/Gyn in your part of the country probably is the best in the country. She is Christiane Northrup, MD at 1 Pleasant St., Yarmouth, Maine 04096, (207) 846-6163. If it were me, I would go that far just to be her patient. If you want a personal recommendation of someone closer who would be competent to handle your concerns, SHE would be the best resource for that name. If you get to talk to her, say hello to her for me, will you?
Christiane is so busy that it is unlikely that you would get to have her take over your present pregnancy but I am sure she knows the best in your area.
If you have trouble with this approach let me know & I can steer you in the next best way. If you get my interim suggestions (above) going, you will do a lot better even WITH your present doc.
Let us know how you do.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: fatal pregnancy disease- preclampsia posted by Walt Stoll on July 22, 1998 at 10:08:33:
I am agonizing over getting pregnant with my second baby. I delivered my daughter at 33 weeks due to severe and rapid onset pre-eclampsia. Within hours of my blood pressure becoming elevated, I began losing my vision and kidney function. When Sarah's heartrate continued to decellerate, they did a very quick c-section. When they put me on the magnesium sulfate via IV, in the recovery room, I went into respiratory distress. Since my BP was still 200/110, they lowered the dose, but put me back on. The next day, I went into respiratory arrest. Sarah was thankfully healthy, but had to stay in the NICU to learn to eat. I am a juvenile onset diabetic, but although it contributed to a better likelihood of getting the pre-eclampsia, it played no negative part in my pregnancy. Oh, I also got pulmonary edema from the pre-eclampsia.
Any advice? My OB/GYN is part of the high risk pregnancy group at a major university hospital. She says I have a 50% chance of getting pre-eclampsia again and that it is up to me. Help!
In Reply to: Re: fatal pregnancy disease- preclampsia posted by Dawn on July 29, 1998 at 17:05:52:
Dear Dawn,
You have come to the right place!
First, get a copy of the classic by Paavo Airola, ND: "Every Woman's Book" and both YOU and the father read it & DO it. This, ideally, needs to be done at least 2 years prior to conception but the longer before conception (less than 2 years) the better it will work.
Next, you need to get on at least one gram of elemental magnesium twice a day. If you don't know what I mean by "elemental" ask your healthfood store owner. The clerk MAY not know either. The easiest to absorb are glycinate, orotate & aspartate. Stay on it till at least 6 weeks after delivery. This can cause no harm & is one of the most common causes of what you have experienced.
Please share your joy, with this BB and its participants, when you have your healthy pregnancy & perfect baby.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: fatal pregnancy disease- preclampsia posted by Walt Stoll on July 22, 1998 at 10:08:33:
Dr. Stoll...I had already bought the Magnaesium the morning that I just read your post! Anyway, the Magnesium I bought today says it is Elemental (as you suggested), 100mg. The bottle suggests taking this "Up to three times a day". I wondered what you thought? Twice a day?
Also...if I did become pregnant, this WOULD NOT harm the baby? Thank you so much for your help!!! :)
ALSO...I just noticed on the bottle:
"NOTE: The U.S. RDA differs for children under 12 and pregnant or lactating women" What is up with that? Now I'm all confused? Sorry! Please let me know what I should do here!!! Thank you again!
Dear Jennifer,
Your lable cannot be saying what you think it is. Elemental magnesium is too dangerous to exist outside of laboratory conditions. What it should be saying is something like each tablet has so many milligrams of magnesiun glycinate (for example) OF WHICH there are 100 milligrams of elemental magnesium.
Anyhow, of that product (if there ARE 100 milligrams of elemental magnesium in each tablet) you are going to need about 20 tablets a day to prevent this problem. This will not hurt anyone (least of all you or the fetus) but I would guess that there would be a better product that you didn't have to take so many to get your dose. Just less expensive. The reasons that they would make a product with so little magnesium is that few people know how to use it to prevent a problem like this and are looking for a nutritional supplement. For that purpose, 100 milligrams of elemental magnesium twice a day would be enough.
It is time for EVERYONE to stop looking at the RDAs. This outdated standard has ben detrimental to our understanding for nearly 50 years. Even the government is now looking at the "optimal" level of nutrients for ideal health instead of the RDA (which is the level below which people die). They are finally agreeing that "if you are not dead you must be perfectly healthy" is a stupid standard.
Walt
I recently went to the doctor, and while I was there I asked her if there was anything to get rid of these horrid things and she simply said vitamin E cream. I've been putting it on all the time. They are slowly fading away faster than they were before but the key is just to be patient with it.
In Reply to: Re: Stretch Marks posted by Rachel on July 03, 1998 at 16:13:21:
Thanks, Rachel.
I had heard of this but had not actually observed it working. Please continiue to share with us what happens over a year or so.
Walt
Since we are on the temp. subject, I have a question.
This cycle, I started taking my temp. I began on my 4th
day. (i think i got my period, but it could be spotting
- 3 lignt days of mostly brownish blood) Since it's
my first cycle charting i don't have a reference chart.
The thing is i have what i think (and also according
to "Thaking charge of your fertility") is high temps. Today
is day 19 and my lowest temp has been 97.4 (3 times) but
it's mostly around 97.8 I've ruled out a possible tyroid
problem (i don't have other symptoms). And 3 days ago
(on day 16) i ruled out pregnancy. I took a home preg. test,
it was negative and i don't have preg. symptoms.
So, could it just be that i have higher than average
pre-ovulation temps? (i did not yet ovulate in this cycle)
Could it be because i got off the pill 3 cyles ago (after
taking it for 10 years)?
Merci
In Reply to: Re: Basal Temperature posted by Caroline on July 15, 1998 at 19:43:59:
Dear Caroline,
With this story, I would immediately go to the library & have them find me a copy of "Every Woman's Book" by Paavo Airola, ND. The newest edition is available in bookstores.
THEN, if you still have questions, write again.
Walt
Dear Dr Stoll
My husband and I are thinking of having a baby sometime next year which is very exciting. However, a number of my friends have suffered really badly from morning sickness during their pregnancies. Do you have any suggestions for preparing the body to try and lessen the likelihood of suffering from this. I note in a previous mail that you suggest an injection of vitamin B6.
Does this need to be in the form of an injection? Is so who would administer this? Do you have any other suggestions?
Any advice will be very welcome - I HATE BEING SICK!!!!!
Mary J
P.S. I love the work you do here on the board and believe that you have lessened the suffering of a huge amount of people.
In Reply to: Morning Sickness posted by Mary J on July 17, 1998 at 10:51:56:
I have severe nausea at 7 weeks pregnant, my doctor prescribed Diclectin..which is apparantly only available in Canada. It takes the edge off the nausea so I can at least function. My doctor would not give me the Vit. B6 injection , instead he presibed this. It has Vit. B6 in it as well as
a drug similar to gravol. It is the only one in Canada that has been passed for pregnancy. I would be interested in knowing what Dr. Stoll thinks of this too.
In Reply to: Morning Sickness posted by Mary J on July 17, 1998 at 10:51:56:
Dear Mary J. (and tv),
The reason for the injectiuon is to quickly get the levels up to where the symptoms are gone AND to stop the progressive damage this problem is causing the fetal brain. ANY physician who "refuses" an injection of B6 is no doc I would ever go to. There is absolutely no risk & the results are within 24 hours. Perhaps the doc is afraid to see such an obvious proof of his lack of omniscience???
There are many symptomatic things used to treat the nausea of pregnancy. The problem is that some of them work. Removing the warning that the fetus is suffering is not MY definition of health.
Anyone serious about wanting to produce the healthiest fetus & pregnancy needs both the prospective mother AND father to read Paavo Airola, ND's classic life's work: "Every Woman's Book". It is available at any library system & bookstore. The wisdon in this reference needs to be applied 2 years PRIOR to conception for best results. It is never too late to help. I would be astounded if anyone following this information would ever HAVE nausea of pregnancy.
Let us know what you learn.
Walt
I have been diagnosed with Potter's Syndrome. I have a level 3 of ambionic fluid. My baby is due Nov 30th. It is growing on schedule. I have had 3 ultra sounds, the first one they could not see all organs, the fluid was at a 7 level. On the second ultra sound, all organs were seen, there was a mass on the left kidney that was not recognizable. My third ultra sound was 2 days ago. That is when the level was at 3. The heart (4 chambers) was fine. The kidneys could not be found. That is when the doctor said that he believed I have Potters Syndrome.
Can you help me? Please write me back with any information that I could find or read.
This is my second pregnancy. My first child is 3 1/2 and in great health.
Thank you,
Lisa
In Reply to: Re: Potter's Syndrome posted by Lisa Houghton on July 18, 1998 at 15:09:11:
Dear Lisa,
At this stage it is too late for anything I know to make any difference with THIS pregnancy. The best you can do is learn skilled relaxation so you can better survive what is coming.
You are fortunate that you have a normal child already. THIS child shows that the parents have a genetic susceptibility to this happening. THAT means that the older the parents get, the more likely it is that this will happen again.
You can reverse this likelyhood by getting a copy of Paavo Airola, ND's classic work; "Every Woman's Book" and having both the mother AND the father read it at least 2 years BEFORE conception. Remember, it is as likely that this is a genetic weakness of the father as it is of the mother.
The "human genome project" is showing that what we do in our lives determines the expression of our genome makeup. We are not trapped by our genes. We are given choices by learning about them: If we know we have a diabetic tendency, we can avoid those things that would cause diabetes much earlier in life & so not "get" diabetes.
I hope this is making sense to you. Please share what you learn from Dr Airola's book. If every one followed this wisdom, birth defects (as well as problems with pregnancy that are a danger to the mother) would be essentially wiped out in 3 years.
Walt
Dr. Stoll,
Are they any ways to prepare for delivery of my third child?
I have a sliding hiatus hernia and terrible GERD. ( and nausea to boot) I am terrified of having a natural delivery. Will the pushing cause problems during labour? Is there any way I can prepare my body for what it will go through? My first two were natural but very long labours. (back labour I might add, no pain in stomach) As well as relaxation methods, is there anything else I can do? And would it be wise to have a C-Section instead? I have this fear that my intestines are going to all end up in my chest during labour? Can you ease my fears a little?
In Reply to: Hiatus Hernia and Pregnancy posted by TV on July 20, 1998 at 17:05:48:
Dear TV,
Your hernia WILL be a problem during normal labor. How much problem is dependent upon the size & character of your hernia & your OB should know all about that. It is very important that s/he know about it since, in an emergency, you might have to have a general anesthetic and an out of control hernia would greatly increase your chances of getting gastric contents into your lungs (a REAL emergency). If your OB doesn't know all about it, I would ask him/her why not!
Regardless of the quality of the docs you have taking care of you, learning an effective skilled relaxation technique & practicing it as many times a day as you can is your best hedge against complications AS WELL AS GETTING A HEAD START ON RESOLVING WHY YOU HAVE THE HH ANYHOW.
Walt
This post is a continuation of the previous post ( I thought you would forget!).
The stretch marks just appeared. I have never had a baby, nor have I ever been fat. They began appearing on my sking since I was about 8 years old. My mom would spot them, and tell me about them. I talked to a thermatologist and he told me he could not tell me an exact reason why I had them, he mentioned they may have been passed down through genes.
He recommended laser surgery, but the prices are incredible.
I was sort hoping you knew of a cream, or a herb or something....... Anything..... I'm so desperate.....
Thanks for your time Doc..
In Reply to: All my hopes are in this post (CON'D) posted by Marlene on July 20, 1998 at 18:49:54:
Dear Marlene,
Somehow, I suspected that!
This can only be caused by endocrinopathy (abetted by a genetic susceptibility) which is in turn is caused by the hypothalamic overload we have been discussing here on this BB for years.
Hans Selye, MD, the world's greatest researcher about the physiologic effects of chronic stress effect on the human described what you have more than 50 years ago.
The best resource for you to understand this now is Dr Pelletier's classic work: "Mind as Healer, Mind as Slayer". Get the most recent copy and devour it. I have read this more than 10 times & still learn more every time I read it.
Once you have this under your belt, write again with any questions. It would not help you to laser these away at this point since they would just come back. You have to change why your glands are imbalanced first & to do that, you need to understand--without a doubt-- WHY you have this problem. Otherwise you will never believe what you have to do to deal with this message from your bodymind.
Once your causes are gone, it may be necessary to get the laser stuff done. However, is it just as likely that you could get rid of them with imagery----once you had a reliable alpha/theta skill in place.
Walt
Dr. Stoll, I have had four miscarriages in the last three years. My doctor has done every test imaginable and can't find anything wrong. My miscarriages occur around 5-6 weeks into the pregnancy. I have had a biopsy done and my hormones seem to be at normal levels. I just recently had my last miscarriage and my doctor wants to give me the fertility drug serophene. He says this will help regulate my hormones and to create the best egg possible when I ovulate. Is there anything you could suggest about the miscarriages and advise me on the fertility drug.
Thanks, Kim
In Reply to: miscarriage posted by Kim on July 22, 1998 at 16:24:58:
Dear Kim (future parent),
MY bias is that your body is trying to tell you something with these similar miscarriages and that you are finally listening. Congratulations!
First, both you & the father need to go to the bookstore & get a copy of Paavo Airola, ND's classic "Every Woman's Book". You both need to read & understand the contents for 2 years prior to your next conception. Reading it is not what does the trick, doing what you both learn is the ticket.
Please let us, here on the BB, know when you have your healthy, term delveries of healthy babies. IT WILL HAPPEN!
If, once you have this information under your belts, you still have questions, write again.
Walt
Dear Charlotte,
I know how frustrating stretch marks can be. I'm only
21 and have a slim figure but that didnt stop them from appearing in my thigh area. My doctor said there is no way to get rid of them completely, however, there are 2 good ways to significantly reduce 'em. One is by microdermabrasion (a laser procedure) which can be expensive depending on where you are. In Australia it is. The other thing you can do is mix 30 ml of almond essential oil + 10 ml of wheatgerm essential oil and rub that into your thighs every morning and night. I've been doing that for 3 months and the marks are still there but say 60% reduced.
Love, Amy
Is there any problems using alpha/theta CDs for relaxation while pregnant? And, what is the alpha and theta state? Is the theta a sleeping state, and the alpha the relaxation state just before sleep? I'm confused, is one better than the other for relaxation?
Tx..........Jennifer
In Reply to: pregnancy and alpha/theta posted by Jennifer on July 25, 1998 at 12:37:25:
Dear Jennifer,
The practice of skilled relaxation could only benefit a pregnancy.
Beta is the awake state and every one of us goes through the alpha to the theta and finally to the delta (where we are asleep) every time we go to sleep.
To my knowledge, there is no advantage to either alpha or theta when it comes to which one is better for stress-effect storage relief.
For you to ask this question tells me that you would benefit from reading Dr Pelletier's book (MAH, MAS).
Walt
hi i recently found out i was pregnant with my second child.i had severe preclampsia with my first child which occured during deliver & not before.i am concerned about it happening again.can anyone tell me the % of 2nd time pregnancy's that precalmpsia occurs.
In Reply to: Re: fatal pregnancy disease- preclampsia posted by jean becklind on July 29, 1998 at 15:01:45:
Dear Jean,
About 50%. Surely common enough that you would be wise to try to avoid it. See my note about this in response to the same title today. It is too late for the Airola book but not too late for the magnesium.
Walt