Archive for the ‘Fertility’ Category

When Breastfeeding is NOT best – mums on anti-depressants!

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

When Breastfeeding Is NOT Best

Posted by danielle sullivan on June 27th, 2011 at 12:01 am
868023 81052427 300x220 When Breastfeeding Is NOT BestBottle feeding is the better alternative for some babies.

There is no disputing the many inherent health benefits that breastfeeding promotes, for both baby and mom, but in some cases it’s just not optimal. In some cases, it should be discouraged.

Stephanie Greene is one such case.

Greene’s six-week-old baby, Alexis was poisoned by her mom’s breast milk which was tainted with morphine. Now Stephanie Greene is facing a homicide charge and more than three dozen drug-related charges.

The NY Daily News reports that South Carolina medical examiner determined that the baby died from a lethal dose of morphine that was ingested through her mother’s breast milk:

“Doing toxicology tests and things like that, we wanted to make sure, and the coroner’s office wanted to make sure that we had done everything correctly and possible to make sure we understood fully what had happened to this child, how this child died and who was responsible for it.”

Greene allegedly used fake prescriptions to obtain the drugs. Later, she took pills and used patches containing morphine around the time baby Alexis was born. She reportedly took fentanyl, duragesic, morphene and hydrocodon, and had obtained the drugs at least 38 times, in less than two years at the same pharmacy.

In the cases of mothers who are so drug addicted, they are simply unable to keep their own bodies healthy and drug-free, it makes sense that bottle feeding should not only be encouraged, but mandated. But that also might leave a slippery slope for women who smoke, drink to excess, or consume an unhealthy diet.

From Madonna Guy ND: Obviously, whatever we ingest throughout pregnancy does go through to the baby.  Babies are born (on average) with over 200 carcinogenic substances in their umbilical cord blood.  The idea that they’re safe is antiquated and wrong.

We do ’safe’ detoxification prior to our fertility programmes as well as throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding.  Taking care of your child is of the utmost importance.

No-one wants to bury a child.

New Leaf Natural Therapies
Wynnum Brisbane
3348 6098

Mums on Anti-depressants – links to autism

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

From Madonna:  this is an article from 21/7/11 published in the New York Times:

A preliminary but provocative new study finds women who take antidepressants during pregnancy have a moderately higher risk of having a child with autism, according to a paper published in the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Medicated Moms (Mums)

Use of prescription drugs in the first trimester of pregnancy:

  • Antidepressant use grew to about 7.5% of pregnant women in the 2006-2008 period, up from 5% in 2000-2002.
  • Until 1990, less than 1% of pregnant women used antidepressants in the first trimester.
  • Since 1976, use of all types of prescription drugs among pregnant women more than doubled.
  • About half of women reported that they took at least one prescription drug during pregnancy.

Source: Allen Mitchell, Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University and colleagues; American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Another study, published in the same issue of the journal and examining autism in pairs of identical and fraternal twins, finds that environmental factors play a greater role than previously believed in the development of autism, underscoring the need to understand nongenetic causes of autism.

The research on antidepressants and autism is thought to be the first to look for and identify such a link. Results indicated a doubling in risk of autism if the mother filled a prescription for antidepressants at any point in the year before delivery. The risk tripled if she filled the prescription during the first trimester of pregnancy.

The findings don’t speak to whether antidepressants cause autism, and the work needs to be replicated, the authors cautioned. The data, though, do indicate that the drugs have “possible adverse outcomes in children” and deserve further study, said Lisa Croen, first author on the study and an epidemiologist in the research division of Kaiser Permanente Northern California, the big managed-health plan.

“A lot of people might get a little worried about these findings and change something they’re doing—which they shouldn’t. It indicates to us that there’s more to look at,” said Dr. Croen, who also is an author on the twins study.

The researchers, sifting through medical records, identified 298 children diagnosed with autism or a similar disorder and looked back in time to the characteristics of the mothers. These children and mothers were compared with 1,507 children without autism and their mothers.

The relationship between autism in the child and the mother’s use of antidepressants—predominantly the category known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs—remained even after researchers statistically accounted for the effects of other factors that might be related to either condition, such as maternal age, ethnicity and education, as well as baby birth weight and where the baby was born. In the twins study, a team including researchers from the University of California San Francisco Institute for Human Genetics, Kaiser Permanente and the California Department of Public Health identified sets of twins born in California between 1987 and 2004 in which at least one twin was diagnosed with autism or a related disorder. They conducted genetic testing on 192 twin pairs to determine whether they were identical or fraternal and recorded whether each individual qualified for an autism diagnosis.

Then they compared autism rates in fraternal twins versus identical twins, when one twin had it and also when both twins had it. If autism were a completely genetic disorder, both twins in each identical-twin pair would have it, the researchers figured. And if it were caused completely by environmental factors, the autism rates in fraternal twin pairs and identical twin pairs would be the same.

The results indicate that roughly half the risk of autism was accounted for by environmental factors—far more than detected in previous studies, according to Joachim Hallmayer, psychiatry professor at Stanford University School of Medicine and first author on the study. It “shows clearly that we have to take both environment and genes seriously, and we have to study much more the interactions between genes and environment,” Dr. Hallmayer said. Environmental factors shared by twins, particularly during the prenatal period and right after birth, may contribute to autism, he said.

In the antidepressant study, researchers tried teasing apart whether the mother’s mental state or the antidepressants were linked with autism. The results indicated an association with the treatment, not with the mother’s mental state.

If the pattern can be replicated in a broader population of children, the findings “will add to the growing list of cautions about exposing children and adolescents to medications without a very clear demonstrated need,” said John March, director of neurosciences medicine at the Duke Clinical Research Institute, who wasn’t involved in the study. Because of limited information in the medical records, researchers weren’t able to look at other important factors that might also affect fetal development such as ultrasounds and pain medicines, he added.

Previous research has shown that people with autism have female relatives with a greater likelihood of depression or anxiety. So what looks like a link between antidepressants and autism could actually be a genetic predisposition to this cluster of conditions, said Fred Volkmar, director of Yale University’s Child Study Center, who wasn’t involved in the current study.

Doctors and patients must weigh the risk of taking antidepressants in pregnancy against risks to the unborn child of untreated depression in the mother. A woman who is depressed may not eat regularly or keep prenatal checkups—possibly putting her baby at more risk than if she took antidepressants, said Mason Turner, Kaiser Permanente San Francisco’s chief of psychiatry.

From Madonna:

We can help with depression, post-natal depression, and autism…

Give us a call if you feel that anti-depressants may be causing an issue in your life, your baby or your pregnancy.

Madonna Guy ND
New Leaf Natural Therapies
3348 6098

Success for Fertility – Why Choose New Leaf Natural Therapies?

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

Ferility Issues?   for BOTH men & women…  50% of the DNA comes from each parent!

At New Leaf Natural Therapies we’ve been treating fertility issues for over 15 years…  there is a reason why we do so well with fertility…  we have the experience, the treatments, the knowledge and the passion to support any and all reasons for poor fertility!

Just a few major keys to infertility are:

  1. Fragmented sperm: this is a major reason for fertility issues in men.  It is linked with smoking, toxic professions such as mechanics & hairdressers, recent renovations or simply low levels of anti-oxidants in the bloodstream.  It’s a number 1 reason for male infertility over the age of 35.  This is not checked in regular tests – motility and numbers are regularly checked, but fragmentation levels aren’t (too expensive at this stage)
  2. Acid levels:  acidity causes fertility issues in both men and women… it’s linked with fragmentation in men, and in women it is a common reason for miscarriage.  When our bodies are acidic, the body assumes several things:  stress, survival patterns (not good for ‘holding’ a baby), less need for immunity and thyroid hormones
  3. Hormonal Balancing: this is crucial.  Taking a full history for both partners and finding out what is going on… thyroid issues, oestrogen/progesterone/testosterone imbalances, stress, pain…  All of these impact on fertility and must be addressed.  This is very different from what your doctors will normally take you through.  We are looking for perfect balance in hormones, not just adequate as in the normal bloodtests….

Give us a call and ask about the New Leaf Website bonus…  50% off your initial test/consult package with one of our naturopaths.  Talk to Gabby or Helen about our plans which save you $$$

Madonna Guy ND

New Leaf Natural Therapies
Natural Fertility Specialists

Wynnum, Brisbane, Australia

Testimonial for LEAP: ADD, ADHD, Aspergers, Autism, Learning Problems; Pain Relief; Hormonal Balancing for a whole family!! Everything available here in Wynnum, Brisbane!!

Wednesday, October 6th, 2010

Over the last four years, 12 members of my family, friends, and students have been treated at the New Leaf Natural Therapies Centre run by Madonna Guy and Associates.

Initially I approached Madonna Guy for therapy for my two adopted daughters  both of whom  have severe learning problems due to health problems. A friend, Jen, told me about the clinic because her grandson had had wonderful results with the Leap Programme. Although he seemed just as intelligent as his brother who was a straight A student, he only achieved C’s at school and was totally uninterested in reading.

After just four treatments of the Leap Programme, he began to achieve A marks and began to really enjoy reading. Jen had had severe bowel problems for over 20 years, but Madonna, with her Naturopathic skills and the Leap Programme gave her pain free results.

We gave the whole Leap Programme to our daughter Chrissy who was adopted at 2 years from Brazil, starving and with 4 severe sicknesses that were killing her. She struggled with severe health and learning problems. In grade 2 Chrissy was diagnosed with A.D.H.D with an IQ of 86. Later in grade 7 the QLD Government guidance officer diagnosed her with an IQ of 70-75 (borderline intellectually impaired) with a Reading Age of 8 years.

After 10 Leap treatments her teachers were amazed at the reduction of hyperactivity, improvement in focus and confidence in learning tasks.

At home I was delighted with the marked improvement in household tasks, a new ability to relate to me without tantrums and an ability to show affection towards me for the first time in 10 years.

After the Leap Programme her Reading Age leapt to 12 years. She had previously been diagnosed 8 years 6 months before. In grade 5 in the statewide testing, her Maths came in the bottom 10% to 20%. After Leap in grade 7 in similar testing she performed above average in all areas.

As a mother the change in family stress levels was enormous as a new Chrissy emerged with new confidence and interest in life and learning. Recently our local treating psychologist tested her IQ at 99 with a projected IQ of 118 as her brain function improves. She is now in grade 10.

My elder daughter, Jo, adopted from Korea as a tiny baby, has suffered  from a very severe hormonal imbalance caused by xeno-hormones from toxins received in a factory where her mother worked when Jo was in the womb. Her progesterone levels were 3 at 13 instead of 20 – 100which is normal. This caused excessive and at times uncontrollable bleeding and  necessity of artificial hormones from our gynecologist to try to control the condition which had awful side effects including such severe depression that she was given an antidepressant so she could tolerate the drugs stopping the bleeding. After we changed to natural progesterone cream, her condition slowly improved, but her extremely heavy periods still came every 20 – 23 days. Madonna gave her a product to detox her body, called Zeolite (Natural Cellular Defense – the only one Madonna will use).

Within 2mths she had a normal 28 day cycle. Part of her condition was total exhaustion. At 13 she was referred to a heart specialist. He found that her heart was so strained because of such low levels of oxygen to all the cells in her body caused by the progesterone deficiency, that she had developed a heart murmur.

Recently whilst in hospital, the oxygen levels in her red blood cells were tested at 99%, very high indeed. The heart murmur was no longer present. Her body healed itself when the toxins were removed.

So impressed was I, by these results, I asked Madonna if she could give me a few treatments of the Leap Programme. 18 years ago I had 8 ½ hours of radical neurosurgery for a massive brain tumor on my brain stem and behind my spinal cord. Although I had had three books published and a number of children’s songs before surgery, my life now changed totally. Due to damaged nerves in my brain, my life was controlled by pain and trauma as I struggled emotionally to survive through life with my much longed for adopted daughters but with a damaged body and brain.

In Madonna’s first treatment she discovered that I was operating in survival mode with my brain functioning on the logic side. Gone was all my creativity and relaxation I had enjoyed as a teacher in special education and in mainstream teaching. Madonna not only gave me three treatments but she also taught me brain integration exercises which Chrissy and I used daily after our relaxation therapy together.

I had begun tutoring as teaching has always been one of the joys of my life. My sister, a counsellor at a most prestigious private school, rang me about a little boy needing tutoring. The little boy (Peter) after a year at school had uncontrollable behaviour and could not read at all. His mother was searching for a tutor to help her son over the Christmas holidays.

Peter was already on large doses of dexamphetamine for A.D.H.D but the school could not deal with him unless he was placed on an antidepressant. We decided that I would tutor him three mornings every week and he would have the Leap Programme 1 day a week.

He had been recently diagnosed with Aspergers Disease and his treating paediatrician felt a special school for intellectually impaired children might be a better solution.

As I began working with Peter, I realised that he was a highly intelligent boy with very mature language development but severe brain dysfunction.

After a few Leap treatments I began to realise his potential and interests. I began to capture his imagination. Learning for him had meant fear, trauma, and failure but we were able to change this attitude to fun, fun, fun and success! His treating specialist was totally amazed after 3mths as his Reading Age had improved 2 years and he was so stable even without antidepressants he could cope in his classroom.

The work he received on his Brain Function and his new desire to achieve allowed his reading to accelerate to his real potential so that in 8mths this little grade 2 boy tested at R.A. 11.5 years performing at grade 6 standard.

Many of my students have now received help with the Leap Programme. For me, new horizons have opened up as my tutoring business expands.

At present I am writing a new book which is very practical introducing parents to all the therapies I have found to be most helpful with teaching children with Autism, Aspergers Disease, A.D.H.D., brilliant children and Down Syndrome children .

I heard from a friend’s child recently about her daughter that had auditory processing problems and struggled with Reading and Phonics when I was tutoring her in grade 1. She went to Madonna for treatment with health problems and also had 7 Leap Treatments. She is at a private school giving wonderful support in learning problems. She is now in grade 9 receiving A’s and B’s for assignments and is very motivated to succeed. She is aiming to be a vet; her horizons have opened.

As tutoring and helping children with learning problems is my passion, I can tell you dozens of other success stories. If you choose help with the Leap Programme, your child will Leap over problems in learning.

Marj Lumley.

Natural Fertility Management Experts: Here at New Leaf Natural Therapies in Wynnum Brisbane…

Monday, September 20th, 2010

Please mention the Facebook Special when you give us a call on 3348 6098…

We have a combined 22 years experience in helping people with subfertility.  Men & Women alike, fertility is a problem for 1 in 6 couples these days.  We find that many of our clients, whatever the age, are offered IVF with very little thought or analysis as to the problem.

Did you know that there are very, very specific reasons for subfertility, all of which we can help:

  • acidity (a huge reason for inability to hold a pregnancy)
  • blocked fallopian tubes
  • uterine tissue (not strong enough)
  • sperm issues
  • oxidative stress with sperm or eggs
  • all female hormonal issues including endometriosis, PCOD, ovulation issues
  • stress
  • toxicity

So give us a call and see how we can help you today!

Madonna Guy
New Leaf Natural Therapies
Wynnum, Brisbane, Australia
3348 6098 / 0417 643 849

Trying to conceive? Natural Fertility Specialists in Wynnum, Brisbane!

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Trying to Conceive?? Do you need help with fertility problems?  Have you been having a few problems falling pregnant and have started looking into Natural Fertility?  We at New Leaf Natural Therapies have been working with Subfertility for over 15 years.  Trained with Both Francesca Naish and Ruth Sharkey, along with updating skills and knowledge regularly, both Jacqueline Dekoke ND & Madonna Guy ND have supported couples in attaining their goal:  happy, healthy babies!

We treat all manner of issues with women that lessen conception prospects:

  • endometriosis
  • poly-cystic ovary syndrome
  • cysts and fibroids
  • insulin resistance and pre-diabetic conditions
  • poor libido
  • thyroid issues
  • liver issues (not coping with hormones)
  • dodgy oestrogens (xeno-oestrogens)
  • history of miscarriage
  • weight issues
  • stress!!!!  stress!!!!  stress!!!!
  • allergies/poor dietary choices…
  • and lots more

For men, we work on improving sperm quality and quantity, through several different areas:

  • anti-oxidant levels (as seen in live blood analysis)
  • zinc levels (sperm are 70% zinc by weight)
  • poor libido
  • allergies:  men’s diet often impacts on the quality of the sperm and therefore whether the woman has an allergic reaction or not
  • stress levels
  • weight

Our fertility programme is a fabulous programme which helps our clients keep motivated and save money!  Fertility is one of our specialties for good reason – we have excellent success is helping fertility issues:  we work with fertility specialists if need be, and support any choices our clients make.

Talk soon,
Madonna Guy ND, Naturopath, Wynnum, Brisbane
New Leaf Natural Therapies
3348 6098 / 0417 643 849