Posts Tagged ‘Listening’

TINNITUS
6 Test drive a hearing aid/masking device    ***
•    Take melatonin at bedtime    **
•    Ask your doctor about misoprostol (Cytotec)
Can you imagine anything more annoying than hearing a mosquito buzzing around your head and not being able to catch it? A dentist’s drill might be a close match. Now imagine what it would be like to have crickets chirping in your ear 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Experts estimate that more than 30 million Americans hear a constant noise in their ears.807′Roughly one in eight men between the ages of 65 and 74 experiences some form of tinnitus (pronounced TIN-a-tus or tin-EYE-tus).808 Women and children are not spared the unwanted sound effects, which some describe as hissing, humming, chirping, whooshing, whistling, squeaking, or roaring.
Many tinnitus sufferers hear a high-pitched ringing, while others say it sounds more like steam escaping. Others complain of radio static or an electronic whine inside their head. One person described it this way: “I have aff ocean between my ears every day, 24-7.” Whatever the sound, it never lets up—but nobody else can hear it, either.
My husband has a constant buzz in his ears andalso hears a sound he likens to a dishwasher running. This particular sound bothers him most when he goes to bed or wakes up at night, and it wakes him frequently. The doctor says lots of people have tinnitus and the problem isn’t serious, but it has my husband on the ropes.
According to the medical establishment, “Many patients with tinnitus believe that they have a serious medical prob- lem. This is rarely the case.” 8(3) We beg to differ. People with tinnitus look normal, but the affliction can be as crippling as arthritis. Some individuals are so distressed by the sounds they hear that they become severely depressed and contemplate suicide. A study has found that even moderate tinnitus can interfere with cognitive ability, making it harder to focus and achieve peak performance while working on demanding tasks-810
Tinnitus can be caused by many things, including very loud noises. More than 15 years ago, Joe was preparing to cohost a radio show when a student engineer made an error and created a feedback loop through Joe’s headphones (the kind of screech you sometimes hear through speakers in an auditorium). The sound was so loud and so close to his ears that from that day to this, Joe has heard a ringing and hissing sound. Some days the noise is so overpowering that it is hard for him to concentrate. For people who cannot imagine what you are going through, it is difficult to describe how disconcerting it is to have a fieldful of crickets inside your head all the time.
We fear that millions of teenagers and young adults may be setting themselves up for tinnitus and other forms of hearing loss by exposing themselves to high volume levels while listening to iPods and other music devices. There are so many loud noises in our environment that the cumulative effect can damage our ears and increase our risk of tinnitus. We’re talking about everyday things in our lives like blenders, vacuum cleaners, motorcycles, leaf blowers, and lawn mowers. All of them are loud and can contribute to hearing problems.
G. I have just developed a hissing sound in my ears. The onset was very rapid!
The doctor diagnosed it as tinnitus but would give me no reason for the problem. He said there wasn’t anything I could do. I’ve noticed some days it is less disturbing than others, but some nights it awakens me because it has become so loud.
I was drinking large quantities of tonic water, which contains quinine, when this started. Do you have any suggestions to help me?
A. Stop the tonic water! Quinine gives tonic its distinctive bitter flavor, but it can cause tinnitus, especially at high doses. Hopefully the hissing sound will gradually go away once the quinine is out of your system.
Drugs are another common cause of tinnitus. An amazing number of prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause ringing in the ears. Aspirin is one of the most common culprits, but many other arthritis drugs can also contribute to the problem. If you suspect that a medicine is causing ringing, hissing, or whooshing, please discuss this with your physician promptly.
Drug-Induced Tinnitus
A. 1 am desperate to find some way to alleviate my arthritis pain without experiencing unbearable tinnitus. I have taken aspirin for some time, and it has been quite effective. If a joint flares up, l increase the dose for a few days. Then I heard your radio show where you mentioned that aspirin can contribute to tinnitus.
The noises in my head had been getting worse. I was resigned to this, but after listening to your program I stopped the aspirin. The result for my ears was dramatic! But then the joint pain came back. I feel I am walking a very thin line between arthritis and tinnitus.
A. Sadly, you are caught between a rock and a hard place. Aspirin and other arthritis drugs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, like naproxen and ibuprofen) can cause ringing in the ears. Some people are susceptible to even low doses. You may need to investigate other options for arthritis pain. (See page 102 for some nondrug approaches.)
In addition to sound-induced injury (like Joe experienced) and drugs, many other things can cause tinnitus. Impacted earwax is probably the most benign and easiest to correct. Some other contributors include head injury, multiple sclerosis, hypertension, infections (otitis media, Lyme disease), and tumors (acoustic neuroma). That’s why it is important-to be seen by a specialist (an otorhinolaryngologist, or ear, nose, and throat doctor) to rule out any treatable condition. Sometimes there is no obvious reason for the ringing or whooshing.
A few months ago I suddenly developed a case of tinnitus in my left ear It sounds like the high-pitched noise the computer makes when logging onto the Internet I am 36 years old and in extremely good health. I have not experienced any head trauma and am not exposed to loud noises.
I had an MRI to rule out a brain tumor Neither my family physician nor an ear, nose, and throat doctor could find anything wrong
DRUGS THAT CAN CAUSE TINNITUS*
GENERIC    BRAND NAME
Aspirin    Alka Seltzer, Ascriptin, Bayer
Bleomycin    Blenoxane
Bumetanide    Bumex
Bupropion    Wellbutrin SR and XL
Cetirizine    Zyrtec
Chloroquine    Aralen
Cisplatin    Platinol
Diclofenac    Cataflam, Voltdren
Erythromycin    E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, Eryc
Furosemide    Lasix
Ibuprofen    Advil, Motrin
Meloxicam    Mobic
Methotrexate    Rheumatrex
Nabumetone    Relafen
Naproxen    Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn
Quinine    Quinamm, Quinerva, QM-260
Risedronate    Actonel
Tetracycline    Sumycin
Valproic acid    DepakeRe,
Vancomycin    Vancocin
Vincristine    Oncovir
*This is just a partial list. Hundreds of drugs can contribute to tinnitus.
with me and they have not suggested any remedies. I currentlyiust barely manage it with white noise (a fan) at night
Treatments for Tinnitus
When everything else has been ruled out and you are left with ringing in the ears, what can be done? First and foremost, do not expose yourself to noise pollution. Chances are good you already have some hearing loss. Be cautious around all appliances (blenders and vacuum cleaners, for example) and power tools. When flying, take along hearing protectors (you can buy earplugs that fit in your ears unobtrusively) to block out some of the jet engine sounds at airports or on loud commuter airplanes. Do the same when attending concerts or sports events. Protect your ears from any further damage.
The official word from the medical establishment is that “most treatments [for tinnitus] are unsuccessful.”811 A review of 69 randomized clinical trials published in 1999 concluded that there was no proof that any therapy provides long-term improvement.812 Investigators have experimented with powerful medications that control irregular heart rhythms (intravenous lidocaine, and oral flecainide and tocainide), but the results were disappointing and the side effects scary. Anti-anxiety agents (benzodiazepines) such as alprazolam (Xanax) may help ease the psychological impact of tinnitus, but when the drug is discontinued, the problem can return with a vengeance. The antidepressant nortriptyline has shown more promise than many other approaches, but the benefits still are not overwhelming.813 Acupuncture, biofeedback, hypnosis, and “tinnitus retraining therapy” have all been disappointing and do not make the ringing go away.
Most physicians will say that the primary goal of treatment for tinnitus is “management.” Usually this means things like masking devices. In its crudest and cheapest form, a masking device is an FM radio tuned so that you do not get a signal, just static. The theory is that this “white noise” will mask the sound of the tinnitus. Some people find this helpful, whereas others report that it just intensifies the annoying sounds.
There are also white noise generators or masking devices that can be “tuned” to an individual’s general noise frequency. There are also sophisticated new hearing aids that both amplify sound in the hearing range that is impaired and  Hearing Aid/Masking Device
High-tech hearing aids that combine frequency-specific amplification and masking in one device may be worth consideration. Some folks report both improved hearing and reduced tinnitus with such equipment. Sometimes the tinnitus relief lasts for some time after the device is turned off or removed .814
Downside: These special hearing aids are pricey, costing several thousand dollars. Insurance is not likely to cover the cost. They require professional fitting. Do not expect them to solve the problem, but they may make it more tolerable.
Cost: Approximately $1,000 to $3,000 per ear. Try to work out a “test drive” to make sure they work well and adequately relieve your tinnitus discomfort. Another option: Lease with an option to buy. If they do not solve your problem, you can at least give them back when the lease is up.
use a masking signal that is adjusted to the specific range of the patient.
My husband has suffered for years from tinnitus and hearing loss (due to his time in Vietnam). He recently found great relief with the new technology in hearing aids. Since getting his hearing aids, the ringing, buzzing, etc., has completely gone away and his hearing is now very acute.
Many folks have tried hearing aids in the past without success. know my husband did. He said they just made the ringing louder! He is thrilled with this new technology. I believe this might help many who haven’t tried the devices.
No one should buy these pricey instruments unless they ac-
tually work. That means you should be able to either test the device for a short while or lease it for somewhat longer before shelling out thousands of dollars to purchase it.
Ginkgo Biloba
There has been some interesting research on this ancient Chinese herbal medicine. From the more than 100 clinical
trials that have been published, there seems to be a reasonable amount of data suggesting that standardized ginkgo extracts (Ginkgold, Ginkoba, and Ginkai) improve circulation throughout the body, in general, and may modestly improve symptoms of dementia.’”‘ A 1999 review of clinical studies of ginkgo concluded that “overall, the results of these trials are favorable to ginkgo biloba as a treatment for tinnitus, but a firm conclusion about efficacy is not possible … the body of evidence is small.„816
Since then, there have been two studies that have not found ginkgo to be an better than placebo for relieving symptoms of tinnitus.”11,81′ At this time it would be fair to say that the evidence is mixed at best and probably not very promising. On the other hand, ginkgo does seem to improve circulation and may be worth a try. Do not expect any miracles, though.
Adding a little zinc to the mix (50 milligrams) might be worth consideration since a small study suggested that this mineral produced some modest clinical improvement.”’ If after several weeks there is no improvement, we would give up on this approach.
Melatonin
One of the least studied but most promising new approaches for the treatment of tinnitus may be melatonin. This natural compound is inexpensive and safe. Melatonin is a hormone that is made primarily by the pineal gland in the brain in response to darkness. During the daytime, the blood level is low, but at night melatonin climbs until it reaches its peak between
** Melatonin
Melatonin is natural, safe, and not very expensive. Although there is some controversy about its effectiveness for insornni8, two preliminary studies suggest that it may help people with tinnitus and sleeping problems associated with ear ringing. The dose that has been tested is 3 milligrams.
Downside: The data are not yet strong enough to elicit a ringing endorsement.
Cost: Approximately $2 to $4 per month when purchased in bulk
2:00 and 4:00 a.m. It is crucial for regulating sleep and wake
cycles.
Some extraordinary claims have been made for melatonin. Some proponents say that it can reverse aging, improve immune function, reduce the risk of cancer, control blood pressure, and lower cholesterol. The best-known use of melatonin is as a sleep aid. An extensive review of the existing studies published in the Cochrane Database concluded, “Melatonin is remarkably effective in preventing or reducing jet lag, and occasional short-term use appears to be safe. It should be recommended to adult travelers flying across five or more time zones, particularly in an easterly direction, and especially if they have experienced jet lag on previous journeys
Despite this good news, two reviews of melatonin’s use for easing insomnia were less glowing. They concluded that melatonin does not work for sleep disorders’ 1,822 Nevertheless, a small preliminary study carried out by the Ear Research Foundation in Sarasota, Florida, in 1998 revealed that a dose of 3 milligrams of melatonin was helpful for patients with tinnitus that interfered with their sleep. 823 Following up on this research, investigators at Washington University in St. Louis also found that a dose of 3 milligrams was beneficial for people with tinnitus: “In summary, our study demonstrates that melatonin use is associated with improvement of tinnitus and Sleep.”824 Although the research to date is preliminary, melatonin seems to be worth a try because of its safety and affordability.
Misoprostol (Cytotec)
Sometimes doctors teach old drugs new tricks.’Tbat might be the case with misoprostol (Cytotec), a medication approved more than a decade ago to help prevent stomach ulcers. It was hoped that Cytotec would be especially beneficial for people taking aspirin or other NSAVDs like ibuprofen or naproxen. This medication has become controversial in recent years because some obstetricians have used it to induce labor. Others have combined misoprostol with mifepristone to induce abortion.
An entirely different use for misoprostol is treating tinnitus. We first stumbled across a pilot study that was published in 1993 in the Archives of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery.wL’ One of the most prestigious ear clinics in the world (House Ear Institute in Los Angeles) enrolled 24 subjects. These volunteers were given either misoprostol or placebo. Not surprisingly, the placebo did not work. Misoprostol, on the other hand, provided improvement for eight (33 percent) of the subjects. According to the investigators, “Responders reported improvement in tinnitus severity, sleep, and concentration:
More than a decade later, Turkish investigators noted that 13 of 28 patients (46 percent) who were given misoprostol reported a decline in the volume of their tinnitus, compared to only 2 of 14 subjects (14 percent) in the control group. 827 A
Misoprostol (Cytotec)
This prescription medication has FDA approval for the prevention of stomach ulcers. An “off-label” use may ultimately turn out to be for tinnitus. Preliminary studies have found that misoprostol may help roughly one-third to two-thirds ofrr tinnitus sufferers, with those who experienced a sudden onset of tinnitus or who had a history of acoustic trauma getting the most benefit. The dose used by the researchers was “200 micrograms per day for the first week, increased by 200 micrograms every 5 days” to reach a maintenance dose of 800 micrograms per day. This latter amount is also the dosage commonly used in gastroenterology.”828
Downside: Very expensive! Misoprostol must never be taken by a woman who is pregnant or might become pregnant. It can induce premature labor and cause other serious complications. Patients with heart or inflammatory bowel problems should also avoid misoprostol.
Side effects: Common adverse reactions include abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, constipation, headache, and menstrual changes. Rare but potentially serious side effects include allergic reaction, irregular heart rhythm, heart attack, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, breathing difficulty, and blood clots.
Cost: Approximately $160 to $300 for a 2-month supply (depending on whether you purchase from a Canadian or US pharmacy)
follow-up study found that 18 of 28 patients “showed improvement in tinnitus loudness, representing an improvement rate of 64 percent. These are all small studies, and larger, more comprehensive, and longer follow-up research is required to prove that misoprostol represents a true advance in the treatment of tinnitus.
Conclusions
Compared to heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, tinnitus seems like a trivial complaint. But ask anyone who suffers from it and you will discover that it can have devastating consequences on the person’s quality of life. The constant ringing or hissing not only affects concentration, it also can interfere with sleep. Many people with tinnitus are depressed, and some even contemplate suicide. There is no cure and no perfect treatment. Nevertheless, there are some options worth considering.
•    Avoid loud noise, including common household appliances like blenders, hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, and power tools. Concerts, sporting events, and airports call for ear protection. Noise can make tinnitus worse.
•    Beware of prescription medicines and over-the-counter remedies that can trigger tinnitus or make it worsee. Even the quinine in tonic water can be a problem for some people.
•    Some people benefit from antianxiety agents like alprazolam (Xanax) or antidepressants such as nortriptyline. These drugs are not without side effects, however.
•    Seek professional advice about new technology that combines a hearing aid with a masking device. This equipment may help improve hearing and reduce the ringing. Try to negotiate for a trial period to test the hearing aid so you can make sure you are satisfied before shelling out thousands of dollars to purchase it.
•    Give ginkgo biloba a try. Although the research is not very supportive, ginkgo may help and it is relatively inexpensive. Make sure that it won’t interact with any other medicine you are taking.
•    Consider melatonin. This natural compound appears to be quite safe and may help tinnitus sufferers get some much-needed sleep.
•    If all else fails, your physician might prescribe misoprostol. A few small studies have found it useful for about one-third to two-thirds of tinnitus patients. Its price and side effects are daunting, however.

Toys and playing
A newborn baby has a special relationship with the world around it. In the first place, the child and his world are still one, and all the impressions from that world have a

deep effect on the child’s organism. This applies to the baby’s food, but also for impressions, such as the arms rocking him or the sound of lullabies.
In addition, we find that everything the child does is a form of play. The whole voyage of discovery of his own body takes place with great perseverance, as well as with great

joy. For example, the child sees and discovers his hands and puts them together. Although these are uncontrolled movements at first, the baby practises this hand-eye

coordination time and time again. The pleasure he gets from this is quite tangible.
The baby needs very few toys during his first year, actually no more than what is available in the home in terms of safe and attractive shapes, and what you can make simply

yourself. The fewer objects in the child’s environment, the more thoroughly these will be explored, held, sucked and eventually understood. If the child has too many toys he

cannot
choose; attention to the world, interest and concentration can actually be practised best when the child has few objects around him.
Background music should also be avoided. It distracts the child from listening to the sounds produced by his own activities.
Every object should be simple and straightforward, so that it leaves something to the child’s imagination.
We should focus our attention not only on the safety of the material, but also ask ourselves whether the child can gain different experiences. A piece of wood has a particular

weight, which can be felt and a grain which can be examined with the fingertips. Both elements reveal very different things from a cuddly toy. The child’s gaze can be captured

by bright colours and rigid, caricatured shapes; his eyes are powerfully drawn to the object, and it is no longer possible to pay attention to it in a free and playful way. This

applies to an extreme extent with regard to television.
It is a good idea to alternate playing alone and playing together. On the one hand, it is good for the child’s development to learn to play alone and experience things in a

quiet, peaceful atmosphere. On the other hand, the parent and child can gain a great deal of pleasure, for example, from playing games while the child sits on his parent’s lap,

giving and taking bricks and so on. The practical sections of this book explore further possibilities in greater detail.
Play is an essential element in a child’s life. It is a preparation for being able to work with concentration and enthusiasm in adult life.
Safety
The child’s safety is an important part of upbringing. Parents can avoid many dangerous situations, though not all, by taking safety measures in and around the house.
Keeping an eye on the child, knowing where he is and what he is doing, is the second important factor with regard to safety at home.
The third factor is concerned with teaching the child. You can teach your child safe behaviour by helping him to learn to recognise dangerous situations, by teaching all sorts

of skills properly (going up and down stairs, cycling etc.) and by insisting on obedience, particularly with regard to safety. This third factor, teaching safety, hardly plays

any role during the first year. Safety measures in and around the house are discussed in the practical section of the book (see Chapters 3-6).
Many children learn to do something new at a time when you are not really expecting it. Suddenly they appear to be able to roll over or stand up in their cot. Anticipate these

situations and make sure that you take the right safety precautions in good time. The description of successive psychomotor skills may help in this respect.
Parents’ behaviour also contributes to making the environment more or less safe. Clear discipline in the home, clear habits and customs, a good safety routine and clear
agreements    also with brothers
and sisters will increase safety. Nevertheless, it is an art to remember these, even in unexpected situations (the telephone ringing, unexpected visits etc).
Keeping an eye on the child in the first few months mainly means not leaving the baby alone on the dressing table or wherever you change his nappies, and knowing whether there

are any brothers, sisters or pets near him. From the moment that the baby starts to crawl, stand and walk, it becomes increasingly important to keep an eye on him, because the

area in which he moves becomes larger and larger.

The Baby Clinic
When a mother is expecting a child, this is the beginning of an exciting period; a time of ‘expectation,’ followed by the birth and the baby’s first year. It is a special event every time, but particularly with a first child. Parenthood is `born’ along with the child, bringing all sorts of new tasks and experiences with it.
Baby clinics are located at health centres in virtually every town, and have the important task of monitoring the children and helping parents to look after their young children. In addition to ordinary baby clinics, there are also some clinics based on the approach used in anthroposophical medicine. In general, these are linked to anthroposophical medical practices.
All the work of these clinics is concerned with providing preventative care for children from birth to the age of four or five years. In general, this means providing help and support for parents to promote their child’s health.
The doctor and nursing staff at the clinic devote their attention to the physical and psychological development of your child. They ask questions and examine the child to check for certain disorders: for example, growth or psychomotor disorders; disorders or malfunctions of the cardiovascular system, lungs, kidneys and reproductive organs; ear, nose and throat disorders-, disorders of the abdomen, arms and legs; disorders of the teeth, and visual and hearing disorders.
At anthroposophical baby clinics, the constitutional characteristics of the child are also examined, and the personal characteristics and features, which might indicate a particular approach for medical and/or educational measures, are considered. After all, no child develops in accordance with the statistical norm. It is only by examining the individual developmental opportunities and problems of a child that it is possible to give appropriate advice. This is not so much a matter of preventing disorders, but of helping to ensure that the various developmental stages of the child follow each other in an appropriate way.
In addition, the baby clinic is an important place for parents to ask questions, as advice is offered on different subjects, including feeding and growth, upbringing and looking after the baby, physical and psychological development and the issue of inoculations.

The advice on children from birth to one year which you will find in this book is in line with the care provided by anthroposophical baby clinics, and may differ from the advice given by ordinary clinics, and is related to the views held by the doctor and nursing staff regarding the developing child. In Chapter 2 of this book you will find the viewpoints which form the background for the practical advice. This may be helpful when you want to make your own decision in a particular situation. However, this book serves to supplement rather than replace the supervision of the baby clinic. Whichever clinic you choose, it is important that you discuss any concerns you have, and express what you want, at the clinic.
We hope that the various subjects discussed will encourage a conscious approach to parenting and be helpful with regard to understanding, and living with, a developing child.

Pregnancy
Dufing pregnancy, the mother-tobe is in a very special condition, both physically and psychologically. There are all sorts of indications of a reduction in her level of consciousness, which may be manifested by drowsiness, diminished powers of concentration, dizziness, light-headedness and a floating sensation. At a physical level, there is a loss of muscular strength and a loss of tension in all the involuntary muscles. For example, the intestines work less effectively, which can result in constipation. There may also be changes in the action of the kidneys, blood pressure and pulse.
In a way, this whole condition resembles sleep. You could say that a pregnant woman floats between a waking and sleeping state and feels dreamier than she did before. Nevertheless, many women feel very well and active at the same time.
Pregnancy can be divided into three terms, each of roughly three months’ duration.
In the first three months, the woman’s organism has to be ‘transformed’ into a pregnant condition, or, as described above, the organism has to achieve a state between waking and sleeping. The fact that this is an intensive change is clear from the fact that the first three months of pregnancy are usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting and tiredness. It is during these months that the egg is fertilized, becomes embedded in the womb and the foetus starts to develop. It is a relatively vulnerable period of pregnancy in which miscarriages are fairly common (10%). See p.102 folic acid.
The second three-month term is usually the easiest. The pregnant woman becomes used to her condition, can do all sorts of things and does not experience much physical discomfort from the foetus. The foetus has become ‘firmly established,’ as is shown by the small number of problems during this period.
During the third stage, the physical manifestation of the child becomes increasingly clear, with a large stomach being the first sign of this. The discomfort which a pregnant woman experiences when bending down, urinating, feeling full after a meal, being unable to move, run, laugh and sit, reveals that the child has a clear physical presence. The foetus now becomes more vulnerable again. There may be bleeding or even a premature birth. At the end of this period, birth is often experienced as a real release.
When the woman has given birth, all the symptoms of the condition between waking and sleeping gradually disappear again. Only if she breastfeeds will this process be slightly postponed.
An overview of pregnancy reveals that the pregnant woman achieves a condition where she ‘makes way’ for the child to come; in which the child establishes a place on the way to birth. In a way, the expectant mother becomes less ‘earthly,’ while the child becomes increasingly ‘earthbound.’ From this perspective it is, therefore, not surprising that expectant mothers experience moments of contact with their unborn child. After all, both are in an ‘interim state;’ a state between the earthly world and the world that the child is coming from.
If we try to approach the woman’s pregnancy in this manner — taking the idea of ‘making way’ seriously — it is clearly understandable that during pregnancy a woman often finds it difficult to tolerate direct
confrontation with the world around her, and even tries to avoid it altogether. ‘Listening’ to her inner self is the best guideline.
It obviously goes without saying that alcohol and smoking should be avoided because they are known to affect the development and growth of the unborn child, and medicines should only be taken after consultation with the doctor. In addition, a natural, healthy and varied diet is clearly important for both mother and child.
To prepare for breastfeeding, it is a good idea to apply Weleda iris jelly to the nipples every day to prevent the skin cracking during breastfeeding. Stretch marks are largely dependant on genetic factors. However, it makes sense to keep the skin, particularly around the stomach and thighs, supple during pregnancy, by rubbing the skin twice daily with Weleda arnica massage oil. If there is a sensitivity to arnica, it is possible to use Weleda calendula massage oil.
The birth
Experiencing the birth of a child is one of the most intimate experiences in life. Feelings of astonishment, joy, anxiety, fear and fulfilment are experienced to extremes during the birth. Obviously these are most intense for the woman who is having the baby, but the family members and obstetric staff attending her fully share in the intensity of feeling.

It starts with the excitement and anticipation of what will happen when the waters break or the first contractions start. Getting everything ready, the support and help of the midwife during contractions, the constant question of how far the process has advanced — these are all part of the active and busy atmosphere of birth. However, sometimes there are also moments of near serenity and tranquillity; an atmosphere of relaxation, trust and complete surrender to what is to come.
The birth takes place in these recurrent and alternating periods of intense activity and intense tranquillity. Everyone attending the birth finds that a unique atmosphere develops as a result of these alternate emotions, which can go on for many hours. It is an incomparable atmosphere, evoking feelings of deep wonder and awe.
The focal point of everything that is going on is the mother-to-be. She is in touch with the deepest natural forces in her body, and is in danger of being overwhelmed by these natural forces, with an intensity which rarely occurs in life. She may also feel that she does not have the strength to give birth on her own, and may be very grateful to accept the instructions of the obstetric staff, so that the sense of impotence can make way for a sense of trust in the successful end of the birth.
When the cervix is fully dilated, the moment arrives when she can
THE BIRTH    15
use all her strength to help the child to be born by pushing it out. Just before this moment, it is quite common for the woman’s consciousness to be almost overwhelmed, and then return quite vivdly with the first push. This stage of pushing the baby out is extremely hard work, even though sometimes it only requires one big contraction.
From the moment that the baby’s head emerges, the atmosphere changes immediately. All attention is focused on the delivery of the rest of the baby, who eventually experiences light, air and gravity for the first time, is placed on its mother’s stomach and swaddled in warm nappies (diapers). If not giving birth at home, you should check with your midwife or consultant to see if it is possible to have a warm cloth to swaddle the baby in. All eyes are on the baby; the noises, movements, eyes and hair. Everyone feels an urge to touch the baby and stroke it.
Then the obstetrician focuses on the last part of the delivery: cutting the umbilical cord and delivering the placenta.
The whole birth is only really complete when the mother has been washed and cleaned up, and is holding the pink, warm, swaddled baby in her arms, and is surrounded by everyone who was present at the birth. The whole spectrum of emotions is experienced, together with a sense of satisfaction, gratitude and respect for the forces that play a role in the birth process.

The birth described above is probably the birth every parent dreams of. And yet, no two births are the same. The life of every person starts with a unique event; the delivery. Some children have a difficult start, for example, if the birth was induced too early, the baby was born prematurely, or if the delivery involved a great deal of medical intervention. In the UK most babies are now born in hospital, but it is possible to discuss your birth plan beforehand with your midwife or consultant.
For parents, the fear about the baby’s health or being overwhelmed by a premature birth can obstruct the feelings of wonder and gratitude described above. Sometimes it may be a while before you can start to love your child in a relaxed way and feel an obvious connection with it, particularly if you feel unsure or anxious. This takes time, so you must try and take the time that is needed. If you were admitted to hospital, you can organize a sort of second birth experience, so that when the baby comes home, you can get used to each other, feel each other, and build up a new life together. Many parents have described that this helped them to recognise the healthy aspects of the child and his lust for life.
Parenthood
The birth of a child is an intense experience for the parents, particularly
the birth of their first child. In fact, it brings about many changes. Before the birth the parents had a relationship with each other, and after the birth they have suddenly become parents and formed a family. Obviously, they still have a relationship, but the partners no longer relate exclusively to each other. In particular, the mother focuses body and soul on her child. After the birth it may be a very long time, sometimes as long as a year, before she feels her old self. Consequently, owing to the new situation in which they find themselves, parents have to redefine the way in which they relate to each other.
This process is extremely demanding because the father and mother are involved with the child in very different ways during pregnancy and birth, and during the initial period after birth. The father may have a tendency to continue his old life with some modifications, while the mother has a deep sense that everything has changed. It may be a while before the partners find a new way of relating to each other on the basis of these two different worlds of experience. It is important to take time for this process and talk about it together from time to time.
What was described above applies particularly for the situation in which mother, father and child(ren) form the family. Where there is a one-parent family from birth, this process will particularly concern the mother.

After the birth, another process starts as well in that all parents discover themselves in a new way. They experience new positive feelings, although they can also have a negative character. A child brings happiness and joy, but there are also moments when irritation reaches unimagined heights.
In the whole range of emotions evoked by a child, feelings of anxiety have a special place, giving rise to questions such as: Am I doing it right’? Will anything happen to my child or me? Will everything be okay?
Every step in the child’s development is another step out into the world. From the age of three, the child even ventures beyond the horizons of the parents; he walks around the block or goes to school for the first time.
Some people are more sensitive to these anxieties than others, but since this anxiety is fruitless — and can really make life difficult for a child — something should be found to counterbalance it. Sometimes gaining an insight into the situation helps to diminish the anxiety, but often this is not enough. In order to tackle the anxiety in a structured way, it may be necessary to work on strengthening the parents’ confidence. Obviously this does not mean blind faith that ‘everything will probably be alright.’ It is not as simple as that. It means that it is possible to work on the confidence about the direction in which the
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child is moving, even though unexpected and undesired events may play a role. White anxiety is often ,our own problem,’ confidence can become a strength, which allows the child to flourish; having confidence in someone gives them the strength to grow.
In addition, a child often gives us a new sense of self-awareness: with his behaviour and imitations, he holds up a mirror to his parents. From the age of a few months you will see that a child assimilates the world by imitating it. The child copies everything he encounters, both internally and externally. For parents, this means that what they do and how they do things is important. Whether we do things hastily or with care, whether we do things unwillingly or with joy; all these aspects permeate the actions we perform and are unconsciously assimilated and imitated by the child. This also applies to what we say. Long before the child can understand our words, he will be aware of our intentions. Experiencing this, and occasionally having the things which we do and say, and how we do and say them, reflected by a child will lead to self-awareness, and possibly to a change in our way of being and doing things.
In positive terms, a child stimulates us to develop ourselves as well. There is also a third process. By experiencing the development of a small child and feeling co-responsible for him, it is possible to focus on your own childhood. Some things from your own childhood can lead to the feeling that ‘I want to do things for my children like that as well,’ while at other moments, you feel that ‘I want to spare my children this or that.’ Sometimes this encounter with your own past can be quite intense. It’s good to know that it is not unusual.
Just as we re-examine our own past, we also start to have a different
view of the future; in a sense looking to the future through the child. The future shines through the small child and urges us to determine the structure for that future.
Above, we have highlighted a number of the issues which will confront every parent; the redefinition of the relationship with their partner and other members of the family, a redefinition of themselves, and a new view of the past and the future.