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PREPARING FOR PREGNANCY (BOOKLET)
THE WORK OF FORESIGHT Preparation for pregnancy can do much to ensure the safety of the future child by optimizing the health of both parents before conception. This maximizes the chances of a healthy sperm, ova and uterus, and thus a pregnancy leading to the birth of a perfectly formed and healthy baby. Foresight feels that every prospective parent has the right to knowledge of research findings that can so crucially affect this most vital area of their lives - the creation of their children. Important work on vitamin and mineral deficiency, smoking, alcohol, lead and other toxic metals, pesticides, food additives and other hazards has lain too long on the dusty shelves of academia. Many thousands of much wanted babies are miscarried or stillborn each year, and many are born unnecessarily damaged or frail for want of this vital information. Our objective is to pass on this knowledge to help all parents to achieve a healthy, full term pregnancy. Since Foresight was first formed it has worked to put together a thoroughly researched preconception programme. We hope that in the near future the NHS will be helping to take the programme forward for the benefit of one and all. Nutrition, in the broadest sense, natural family planning and advice on smoking and alcohol (don't!) may be suitable for self-help or expert advice and may be suitable subjects also for group counseling on the NHS. Genitourinary testing (also toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus and rubella-immunity checks) may be obtainable from a Special Clinic or hospital Genitourinary Clinic, or with the help of your GP, who may arrange for a referral to a Genitourinary Department. For those disorders which may respond to allergy-testing and elimination regimes, your GP may be able to help, if not, a Foresight practitioner (doctor or nutritionist) will. Intestinal parasites are now becoming more widely recognized as a source of chronic ill-health due to malabsorption. If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome a Foresight nutritionist can help you to obtain a stool analysis and treatment. For details of how to obtain a mineral analysis, see the questionnaire and hair analysis form enclosed. We are learning more about the dangers of electromagnetic pollution. Foresight can provide names and addresses of people and organisations that can help. If you experience any difficulty getting the assistance you need, the nearest Foresight Clinician or nutritionist is there to help you. The Clinicians work privately, charges vary according to location. It is acceptable to enquire the charges when you ring. The Foresight Video is available for sale or hire to introduce our work. The books, specialized booklets and leaflets listed in the introductory leaflet "WHY" are written to help you. Posters are available from Foresight HQ. Authoritative reports are available, on: Genito-Urinary Infection, Food Additives, Lead and other Toxic Metals, Zinc, Manganese, Chromium, Selenium and Vitamin Deficiency, Smoking, Alcohol and Pesticides. These are all fully referenced. Your GP may be interested to see any of the above material. If he / she would like to discuss any aspect of preconception care, we would be delighted to hear from him/her. A Clinician or lay speaker can give a talk, or introduce the Video. Our book "Planning for a Healthy Baby" has 11 pages of references; the local library will always obtain medical papers. We hope this small booklet will whet the appetite for further knowledge, and lead to much interesting reading on allied subjects. Our recommended reading list is available - please send SAE. Above all, may those of you embarking on pregnancy have a very happy and stimulating nine months, culminating in the joy of a beautiful baby - life's most priceless gift. "You shall conceive and give birth to a son. From this time
onwards drink no wine or strong drink....." Despite this auspicious beginning for preconception care, it appears that thereafter interest waned for a couple of millennia, until, in 1973, fetal alcohol syndrorne (FAS) was to be defined by a group of medical researchers in USA. Fetal alcohol syndrome has now been more clearly defined by international research and the full abnormalities are accepted to be: underweight and under length at birth; slow growth and failure to thrive after birth even with special postnatal care; unusually small head with defective development of mid-facial tissues; joint and limb abnormalities; possible mental retardation and/or behavioural problems such as hyperactivity and extreme nervousness. Alcohol crosses the placenta freely and travels through the baby's bloodstream in the same concentration as that present in the mother's. In the National Council of Women's Report, 1976, which provided this information, Dr. David Woollams of Cambridge, and Dr. Richard Bast of the NIAAA of USA both stated that the only safe limit for pregnancy was no alcohol. Since then, Dr. Anne Streissguth of Washington has described the condition Fetal Alcohol Effect (FAE). This term is given to babies less impaired than those with FAS, but whose intelligence, behaviour and growth have been significantly retarded by parental alcohol consumption Seven year olds whose mothers had one drink daily during pregnancy were found to have a 7 point IQ deficit. Dr. Streissguth followed affected babies through to adulthood, and found that problems were compounded rather than resolved as they grew older. A number of reports have demonstrated that alcohol can be particularly harmful to men and women before conception (damage to sperm and ova), and to women and unborn children during the first 4-5 months of pregnancy. In 1983. Dr. Matthew Kaufman of Cambridge drew attention to the dangers of "a single episode of heavy drinking by the mother at about the time of conception". Alcohol given to female mice immediately after mating caused severe damage to the chromosomes of one-fifth to one-sixth of the eggs. This could result in spontaneous abortion, or death shortly after birth. Much abnormality in human young can be traced back to chromosomal abnormalities. Maco et al. 1981, concluded that the highest rate of fetal death or malformation resulted from alcohol consumption by the female rat in the period immediately before ovulation (equivalent to 36 hours before ovulation in the human). In rats given alcohol at different times before ovulation fertility was greatly reduced and in the young there was an increase in death and malformation, also reduced weight, size and length of limb in survivors. An increase in embryonic mortality was also found where alcohol was given after mating. In a study reported in "Nature" 1975, alcohol given to male mice just before mating was not found to be visibly affecting the offspring, but alcohol given 4 to 13 days before mating caused genetic damage and a high rate of mortality in the young. The mature sperm appear less vulnerable to alcohol than the developing sperm. Male mice were given alcohol on 3 successive days; the blood concentration, in human terms, would have been around the legal limit for drivers. Similar effects of alcohol on sperm development have been reported in other animals in numerous other papers. In all species studied it was found that mature sperm are less vulnerable than sperm during their development. Spermatogenesis (sperm development) in the human male takes 116 days. It should be borne in mind that the most commonly recorded problems in FAE and FAS children relate to learning and behaviour, and difficulties in forming relationships. These more subtle manifestations, devastating to those concerned, would not be apparent in rat studies only recording gross malformation and death. In conclusion, if some effect is demonstrated to be dangerous in animals, it may well be dangerous for humans.For total safety and optimum development in the child, Foresight advocates a complete embargo on alcohol for both parents in the four months leading up to the intended conception, and for the mother throughout pregnancy and breast-feeding. It has been demonstrated that a wide variety of illnesses can be caused, wholly or in part, by allergic reaction. These may range from trivial aches and pains, to many disabling physical conditions and mental disorders. Often these conditions can be alleviated by the removal of certain foods from the diet, or substances from the environment. Dr. Vera Walker, then President of the British Association of Allergists, presented a paper in 1975 which showed the allergy prone family were particularly subject to dyslexia, hyperactivity, epilepsy and mental breakdown, as well as to commonly recognised allergic disorders such as hay fever, asthma, eczema, migraine and insomnia. Since this time we have become increasingly aware of the interlinking between allergy and factors such as nutritional deficiencies, smoking, traffic effluent, pesticides, hormonal disturbances from the contraceptive pill, gas and industrial pollutants. Infection, antibiotics and intestinal candida may also exacerbate conditions, and lack of zinc is known to undermine the immune system. Dr. Frank Pottenger of California did a most interesting study with cats. Cats in one run were fed cooked meat and pasteurised milk. They gave birth to kittens with narrow faces, underdeveloped jaws, running noses and poor fur; disadvantages that could be equated to allergic illness in humans. The cats in the second run were fed raw meat and whole milk. These cats gave birth to normal healthy kittens. Plants grown in run one were observed to be interior to plants grown in run two. This experiment would suggest that inadequate food prior to birth makes the offspring liable to facial malformations and allergic illness. Dr. Lodge-Rees, a paediatrician from California who worked with children with mental disorders and allergy, found many of her small allergic or retarded patients to have the narrow jaw and high raised palate described by Dr. Weston Price as a typical malformation resulting from poor diet before and after birth. Subsequently, Dr. Lodge-Rees analysed the hair of many small patients and found those with the malformed face and allergic syndromes to be short of many essential minerals and sometimes to have high levels of toxic metals. Many working in the field of allergy believe that the baby will be less liable to allergy if the mother is not eating substances to which she reacts during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Evidence is now accumulating to support this view. (In addition, avoidance of exposure to allergenic foods and environmental contaminants during the first year might reduce the likelihood of the baby developing allergic disease.) Be that as it may, it would seem wise to detect and eliminate allergens prior to conception, as (a) the substance will undermine the mother's general health, and this could adversely affect the course of pregnancy, (b) allergy has often been found to increase pregnancy nausea and vomiting, and (c) the resolving of conditions such as eczema, asthma, migraine, epilepsy, insomnia, depression and so on, may mean a great many drugs can be discontinued or their use minimized. Many of these drugs may be contraindicated in pregnancy, so an alternative form of control is strongly indicated. If, therefore, symptoms of chronic illness or malaise persist after discontinuing the contraceptive pill, smoking, and hazardous food additives, and after filtering the water and reversing nutritional deficiencies, it is as well to seek specialist help in the field of allergy. Your GP may be able to refer you; if not, a number of Foresight clinicians work in this field. The radical changes in sexual behaviour over the last few decades have resulted in a dramatic rise in the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections. Whilst the classical venereal diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhea are in decline due to early detection and treatment, their place has been take by groups of other infectious agents. In recent years, chlamydia pathogen has become significant. In women it has been found to rnanifest as cervicitis, endometritis, acute salpingitis and pelvic inflammatory disease. It has also been found directly responsible for ectopic pregnancy, prematurity, perinatal rnortality and spontaneous abortion. In addition, chlamydia trachomatis infection is directly implicated as one of the most common causes of infertility. The UK government is considering introducing a screening programme for Chlamydia Trachomatis, as a means of combating the disease. In infants chlamydial infection is associated with a myriad of clinical conditions including:
N.B. Should we ask for urine testing of at risk infants? In men, Chlamydial infection is recognised as the leading cause of epididymitis and urethritis, as well as contributing to male infertility or subfertility. The spread of other infections which are also frequently sexually transmitted such as viruses and mycoplasmas has also grown to near epidemic proportions. Maternal mycoplasma infections have been associated with a high incidence of spontaneous abortions and prematurity as well as neonatal morbidity and mortality. All types of genito-urinary infection are shown to contribute to infertility, miscarriage and premature birth. Due to the prevalence of these diseases in the general population, Foresight advocates testing for every couple as part of the preconception care work-up and suggests that both partners are checked out for the following infections: Gonorrhoea Non STD's:
From only 109 patients who attended one Foresight Clinic, 76 had an infection (69%, or roughly 2 out of 3). All the conditions listed above were found in at least one patient: Cytomegalovirus, Toxoplasmosis and Rubella immunity should also be included in the screenings. Although these illnesses are comparatively rare, they can result in blindness, deafness, epilepsy and retardation in the baby, so caution is justified. With Cytomegalovirus and Toxoplasmosis, a positive finding of antibodies does not necessarily mean the disease is active; a further test for IgM levels will elucidate this. If the disease is active however, pregnancy should be postponed and specialist help sought. In the UK, many large hospitals have Genito-Urinary Clinics, where it is possible to be tested for the above mentioned G.U.I.'s, with or without referral from your g.p. or other practitioner, and anonymously if you prefer. Contact your local Health Authority and ask for details of your nearest G.U.M. Clinic then phone to make an appointment. You can show them the above paragraphs. Staff at these clinics are very used to meeting all sorts of infections and will handle all cases with discretion. For an active genito-urinary infection there are two possible courses
of action: After either course of action, it is essential to retest at the G.UM. Clinic to be sure the treatment has been effective. NB:- For more information about Genito-Urinary Infections and their implications, see the Foresight publication:- THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF GENITO-URINARY INFECTIONS Lead and cadmium pollution have been linked in a number of studies to infertility, miscarriage, prematurity, low birth weight, perinatal death (stillbirh) and rnalformation; also to stunted growth and to learning and co-ordination difficulties in older children. From the outset Foresight has analysed hair samples prior to pregnancy. The clinicians like to see lead below l.4pprn, cadmium below l.5ppm, aluminium below 2ppm and mercury below 1.4ppm. In trying to lower the body burden of heavy metal, or an over-high level of copper, it is important to try and trace the sources of contamination, and lower or correct these if possible, as well as taking steps to lower the level in the body. Useful nutrients for cleansing the body of heavy metals are Vitamin C and Garlic, Vitamins B1 and B12 and the essential minerals, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, rnanganese and selenium. See our leaflet "The Avoidance of Environmental Contamination by Heavy Metals" LEAD Tap water can be tested by the Foresight Laboratory to find out if the levels of lead, mercury, copper, cadmium, aluminium, nitrate and organophosphate pesticide are within the EC lirnits. Filter all drinking and cooking water. Old paint may contain lead. When stripping down, wear protective clothing including covering face and hair, and wet down the working area frequently. MERCURY CADMIUM ALUMINIUM OVER-HIGH COPPER Ascot water heaters may release copper frorn the small gauge piping, so kettles should not be filled from these. Other sources are copper kettles and pans, henna, dyes, copper containing algicides in swimming pools and possibly brass jewellery. FORESIGHT Advice:- Use Natural Family Planning with barriers during the fertile phase, the use of water filters for all drinking and cooking water, and alternative types of algicide in pools. Choose another hair colourant if necessary. OVER-HIGH SELENIUM Research from America and Australia has highlighted the dangers of mineral deficiencies in pregnancy. Work with experimental animals has shown not only a wide variety of malformation and lack of mental acuity, but also an increase in premature birth and perinatal mortality. The work of Professor Bert Vallee of Harvard University Medical School, with zinc/copper ratios in rats showed that during the third trimester of pregnancy the zinc was packed into the placental tissue, so the ratio of copper to zinc rose in the blood. Vallee found that when the ratio of copper to zinc rose to a certain level, the phenomenon of birth was stimulated. Subsequently, he observed that, as the rats ate the placenta after birth, the zinc/copper ratio was restored to normal in both mother and young by 96 hours after birth. Work done in USA by Carl Pfeiffer, Unabelle Blackwood, Donald Caldwell, Donald Oberleas, Lucille Hurley, Richard Passwater & Elmer Cranton and that done in Australia by E.J. Underwood has revealed a wide range of ills suffered as a result of mineral paucities in both hurnan and experirnental situations. Sterility, abortion, stillbirth, infant deaths, many types of malformation, hyperactivity and lack of mental acuity have all been dernonstrated to be attributable to mineral deficiencies. Hyperemesis, post-partum depression and lactaton failure, also restlessness (screaming!) and failure to thrive in the baby, have all be linked to deficiencies of zine, magnesium, Vitamin B6, and essential fatty acids. Zinc paucity has been found to be responsible for implantation failure, and it may be that the zinc loss sustained during the first pregnancy is sornetimes a cause of subsequent infertility. Down the years, Foresight has found that unexplained infertility often responds to supplementation with zinc and other needed trace rninerals. Male infertility also often responds to mineral supplementation, restoring levels found low by mineral analyses. (Also correcting high levels of toxic metals, and eliminating smoking, alcohol and genito-urinary infections). Hair analysis gives a good, general guide to mineral status. Several laboratories (including our own Foresight laboratory, using the Spectro ICP-MS) have now spent many years perfecting their method. They currently test hair, also tap water, shampoos, herbal rernedies, supplements etc. The full range of tests are very helpful under special circumstances, and the findings are useful from the point of views of research. The body fluids(eg: blood, sweat, urine, etc), being in a constant state of flux, vary around the day. The hair gives an eight week history of the minerals excreted. If the hair samples are correctly taken, the variations between repeat samples are very small, and unlikely to affect supplementation. Minerals below the recommended values shown on the charts need to be supplemented to optimum levels. High levels of toxic metals above the Threshold Values may be reduced with the use of Vitamin C, Garlic, Vitamins B1 and B12, and by specific supplementation with beneficial minerals. Where a number of essential minerals are low, or there is a very ragged pattern, this rnay indicate a condition such as coeliac disease, cow's milk allergy, candida or thread worm. This should be investigated. Inadequate diet may be some of the story. A low level of sodiurn and/ or potassium is said to indicate stress or poor adrenal function. Dietary adjustment to eliminate allergens is helpful. Calcium-pantothenate supplementation may boost adrenal function. After the pill, the copper IUD, superovulation-stimulating drugs (Clornid etc) or previous childbirth, the copper may be over-high and the zinc, and possibly also magnesium and manganese, may be too low. It is vital to adjust this before embarking on the next pregnancy, to avoid the risk of miscarriage or premature birth. Vitarnin and mineral regimes have been used since 1979 by Foresight with consistently excellent results, as is shown by our recent research study. Reasons for low levels of essential minerals are manifold: Zinc may be low :
Chromium and Cobalt tend to be low where the diet contains much sugar and / or alcohol, and Cobalt may be low in vegetarians. Manganese absorption may be reduced by the organophosphate pesticides; it is thought also to be lowered by the pill. Magnesium levels are thought to be reduced by the pill and also by fluoride from water and possibly toothpaste. Refined (white) flour and sugar are not only very low in all minerals but tend to steal them from the body's reserves, as the metabolism of the carbohydrate takes more minerals than these de-natured foods are able to provide. Constant use/ consumption will gradually erode the body's reserves. Where couples have a history of infertility or problems with previous pregnancies, Foresight has found there are almost invariably mineral imbalances which have to be reversed before a successful pregnancy will be achieved. This is an integral part of the full Foresight programme and contributes largely to our successful record. Further information can be found in the Foresight literature, including our literature summaries, which describe the manifestations of ill-health directly attributable to various mineral deficiencies in adults and children. Books, booklets and papers are available by mail order from Foresight Headquarters. Natural Family Planning (NFP) provides an efficient means of fertility control which is non-invasive and therefore free from side-effects and health hazards. The main objection to this approach has been its reputed unreliability. The reasons for the high failure rates with the old "Calender Rhythrn Method" were irregular cycles and misinformation. This method must not be confused with using the modern technique of NFP, which on WHO statistics has a biological failure rate of virtually zero. It is now known that the egg is fertilisable for only 8 - 24 hours, but that sperm can live for up to 6 days, given certain circumstances. The luteal phase (the time between ovulation and menstruation) can be as short as 10 days or as long as 16 days. If a women takes her temperature before rising for a few mornings each month, preferably with a special fertility thermometer, she will find her temperature at a lower level until she has ovulated. After ovulation her temperature will rise and stay at a higher level for the next two weeks. If she has conceived, her temperature will stay up providing proof of the pregnancy. If she has not conceived, it will fall with the onset of the period, and a new fertility cycle will start, repeating this biphasic temperature pattern. There is a further sign, which is obvious to a woman (with practice), indicating that the egg is ripening in her ovary. As the egg-sac (follicle) starts ripening, a hormone called ostrogen is produced which stimulates glands in the neck of the womb (cervix) to produce a clear and slippery mucus. This mucus is alkaline and neutralises the acidity of the vagina, enabling sperm to survive in it. It is rich in nutrients which attract and feed the sperm, prolonging their life. Its thin, watery nature provides a swimming lane through which the sperm can migrate into the cervix at incredible speed, and upwards towards the ripening egg. The mucus increases in flow for the 6 days that the follicle takes to ripen. It produces the sensation of lubrication of the vagina that women notice midcycle. Once in the mucus, the sperm can live for up to 6 days. Once the egg is released the production of mucus dries up, and the womb cavity becornes ready to receive the baby. When the mucus observation is combined with minimal use of the ternperature method, the cycle can be accurately observed and understood. If a woman's cycle is regular, the ovulation pattern will also be regular. To control fertility, unprotected intercourse should be avoided on the day of ovulation and for 6 days prior to this date. When pregnancy is desired, intercourse during this period will allow conception to take place. For further information:- "FERTILITY - a Guide to Natural Family Planning" A
Teaching Video in Six Parts. "Understanding Fertility" by Mrs. Colleen Norman. (£4) For help and advice contact your Foresight Branch Secretary for your Local NFP Teacher, or contact the following Centres:- National: The Midlands: London & the South: Scotland: "Let no one ever again ascribe congenital anomaly to the acts, or ratlter to the errors or carelessness, of God. Let us put the blame where it belongs, on faulty nutrition, oftenist induced by tampering with the foad sources the Creator has beneficently provided for a creature of remarkable and persisting error" (R.D. Ferguson, 1955) "Hormonal or vitamin imbalances which cause malaise or even pass unnoticed in postnatal life, may have a disastrous effect on the developing fetus. The rapid rate of growth of embryonic cells, which far surpasses that of most tumour cells, is the basic factor which determines the exaggerated fetal response to injurious stimuli. Interference with growth or metabolism of developing cells at an early stage is reflected ultimately in alterations at the stage of differentation, with resulting malformations or impaired function of developing organs and tissues" (Isobel Jennings, 1972) Research done by a number of eminent workers in the field of nutrition and fetal development has demonstrated the vital link. The work of Isobel Jennings, Weston Price, E.J. Underwood, Donald Oberleas, Donald Caldwell, Lucille Hurley, Bert Vallee and rnany others has drawn attention to the role played by lack of nutrients in reproductive disaster in experimental situations. Almost all the commonly seen birth defects, (spina bifida and other neural tube defects, heart defect, diaphragmatic hernia, urogenital anomalies, cleft palate, club foot, missing digits and so on) can be reproduced or eliminated at will by manipulating the diet. The removal of even one essential nutrient during the crucial first trimester of pregnancy can produce a characteristic defect that can be seen in different species, and in whole litters of young. In the same animals, the situation can be reversed in subsequent litters with replacement of the nutrient. Problems such as sterility, spontaneous abortion, premature birth, and undersized young can also be produced or eliminated at will by dietary intervention. For too long all of this research has been reported only in the medical literature, while identical tragedies plague the human race. We are told "Nobody knows why these things happen" or , (as Dr. Ferguson describes) it is "An Act of God". It is tirne all the above research received practical application. Topically, the NACNE report has recently stressed the wisdorn of whole grains, vegetables and fruit, and criticised the high consumption of sugar in this country. The optimum diet is to vary the foods by choosing each day from the 4 rnain food groups, while keeping as closely as possible to fresh whole foods. CEREALS Home-baked bread made the old-fashioned way, with yeast, where the dough is left to rise, is preferable to shop-bought bread where the raising agent is bicarbonate of soda. Yeast will destroy phytate, a substance which blocks the absorption of calcium, zinc and iron. Phytate will remain in the food where yeast has not been used. For the same reason it is necessary to soak muesli overnight. Pour into the bowl, and cover with water and leave overnight in the fridge. This will have inactivated the phytate by morning. DAIRY PRODUCTS VEGETABLES, FRUITS AND JUICES Choose vegetables and fruit juices that are sugar and colouring free. Try to find organically grown produce; all supermarkets now have a well stocked organic section. For those with space to grow fruit and vegetables, Lawrence Hills' book, "Organic Gardening" is a classic; see our recommended reading list. To pick and eat ensures freshness as well as freedom frorn chemicals. It also saves money! . PROTEIN FOODS "Tampering with the food sources" can take many forms. Each may inhibit the use of some vital nutrient, or remove it from the body. Common hazards include environmental lead and cadmium, artificial fertilizers, sorne food additives, organo-phosphate pesticides, fluoride in water and many others. Filtering the drinking water and cooking water, to remove lead, and excess copper, pesticides, oestrogens and chlorine, is necessary. The work of the late Dr. Feingold of California demonstrated the effect on small children of many artificial colourings and other additives used to render more acceptable the stale denatured food of the tin, jar and packet. Dr. Feingold found that many additives were at least a contributory cause of hyperactivity and learning difficulties. Recent more detailed research into the effects of tartrazine has shown it to lower levels of zinc in the body by increasing urinary excretion (Ward 1992). Further research may reveal this to be common to other additives which share the clinical effects. As these additives have been shown to affect brain function and zinc status in a school age child, we cannot assume they will not affeet the unborn. Allergic illness and conditions such as candida can impair absorption. Infection can stress the irnrnune system, squandering nutrients such as zinc, and Vitamins A and C. Stress also depletes reserves of nutrients, as does smoking, alcohol and oral contraception. The important role of trace elements in health and reproduction is becoming clearer each decade as research in this area become more sophisticated. It is likely that many more factors associated with nutrient metabolisrn are yet to be discovered. Basing the diet as much as possible on whole fresh foods, grown organically on healthy soil, appears to be a sensible way to optimise nutritional status. This strategy will help us to cover the probable many factors about which there is as yet no documentation. However, much food will have been stored for some time before reaching the consumer. Custom dictates that foods such as meat are cooked and milk is pasteurised, and much food may be raised on poor soil lacking in trace minerals, so many nutrients may still be in less than optimum supply. For this reason in 1979 Foresight nutritional advisors, headed by Prof. John Dickerson, then professor of Human Nutrition at Surrey University, formulated a well balanced vitamin, mineral and iron supplement, to be used in conjunction with the diet as described. We believe this has made a major contribution to the success of the Foresight programme in protecting against all forms of reproductive hazard, also contributing to the health of mothers and to subsequent successful breast-feeding. Nutrition generally is a huge subject and cannot be covered adequately in a small leaflet. We recommend the publications from the list in our introductory leaflet, which include our Wholefood Diet Leaflet, and the Foresight Wholefood Cookbook. We also publish a Recommended Reading list, "The Health of the Next Generation." Dr. Mark Payne, who has made a study of radiation and its effects on reproduction, advises against the use of electric blankets, micro-wave ovens and sun-beds, and would minimise the use of VDUs, CB radios and mobile phones. It is already standard practice that, apart from emergencies, medical X-rays are not used during pregnancy. Further information on Electromagnetic Pollution can be obtained from: Alfred Riggs, 33 Parvils, Parkland Estate, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9
lQG. Powerwatch U.K. Public Information, Borsham, Eccles, Suffolk, NR34
8HW. In 1980 the report of the USA Surgeon-General "The Health Consequences of Smoking for Women" demonstrated that smoking is a major cause of abnormal pregnancies, and avoidable illness and deformity in children. In 1957 Simpson reported that babies born to smokers were on average 200gms lighter. 45 studies have confirmed that smoking is a major cause of low birth weight. The more a woman smokes the greater is the reduction of birthweight. Smokers have nearly twice the risk of spontaneous abortion, and the risks of prematurity rise with the number of cigarettes smoked from 6% for nonsmokers, through 11% for smokers who use 10 cigarettes a day, to 33% (one baby in 3) where mothers smoke 30 cigarettes a day. The neo-natal death rate also rises directly with the number of cigarettes smoked. Srnokers' placentas tend to be thinner and most of the excess deaths are due to placental haemorrhages causing premature delivery. Studies have found that smokers are more likely to have live babies with all types of congenital abnormalities, especially cleft lip and palate, and central nervous systern abnormalities. The risk is more than doubled in heavy smokers. Long term studies have shown reduced growth, learning difficulties, neurological abnormalities and abnormal EEGs, which may mean epilepsy and/ or hyperactivity. Passive smoking by the baby after birth increases the risk of cot death, hyperactivity and asthma. Children of heavily smoking fathers are more than twice as likely to have malformations. In men, smoking levels affect sperrnatogenesis (sperm development), sperm morphology (abnormality) and sperm mobility. Studies have shown that numbers of damaged sperm, and also the number of children born with a malforrnation, rise directly in line with the number of cigarettes smoked per day. In research sponsored by the Teratology Committee of the German Research Council it was found that not only serious congenital malformations but perinatal mortality was significantly higher among the babies of smoking fathers, after correcting for the effects on pregnancy outcome of mothers' smoking and the possible effects of eleven other factors. When even 10 cigarettes a day were smoked, the chances of malformation were increased by over 2.5 times.
Those treated for only 7 weeks produced normal litters. Males treated for 20 weeks were fertile, but after matings in the first week post-treatment 4.8% of fetuses were deformed, and deciduomata (in utero deaths) were 16%. Matings in the second week produced 1.6% deformity and 13% deciduomata. After two weeks post-treatment, matings produced norrnal young, and deciduomata under 4%. Spermatogenesis in the mouse takes 11 days. Therefore in the two-weeks post-treatment group their sperm development would have been free from nicotine exposure. Even after birth, additional health problems burden smokers' children. A report by the Royal College of Physicians in 1992 said that children whose parents or carers smoke may inhale the equivalent of 60-150 cigarettes a year and are more likely to have glue ear and twice as likely to have breathing infections. Passive smoking is responsible for 1 in 7 school days missed and 17,000 hospital admissions for under 5 year olds each year. A Survey by SE Thames Regional Health Authority told us that more than 10,600 adults in Britain die every year from passive smoking. A member of the "Association for Non-smokers' Rights" commented "These figures do not include the deaths of unborn babies or young infants caused by their parents' smoking so the death toll is even more appalling than the adult totals". Perhaps nobody could bear to count. Although now routinely used in pregnancy, there are suggestions that ultrasound scanning can be dangerous, especially during the first three rnonths of pregnancy, since during this time all the major parts of the baby are developing and are especially susceptable to malformations. New findings support the belief that ultrasound has the capacity to damage unborn babies (BMJ, 17 July 1993 and BMJ, 3 July 1993). Quotation from BMJ July 3rd: "Though routine Ultra-sound scanning does not improve the outcome of pregnancy, it exposes pregnant women to risk of false diagnosis of rnalformations, not to mention the possible brain damage". Foresight advises avoiding scanning if possible. a. A diet along the Foresight Guidelines, filtering the water. Organic foods, unrefined carbohydrates, additive free. b. Avoiding smoking, alcohol and street drugs, both partners. c. Learning Natural Farnily Planning for use with abstention or the use of barriers during the six-day fertile phase. d. Checking out the genito-urinary and other possibly hidden infections as well as candida. e. If indicated by health problems, seeking further help with allergies, and/or intestinal parasites. f. Obtaining hair analyses and seeking help with a vitarnin and mineral programme as indicated. g. Being aware of possible electromagnetic pollution and seeking knowledgeable help. h. Joining Foresight and benefiting from the discounts on hair analyses and supplements, and regular news and views in the Newsletter (3 issues per year).
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