Some brief history (and my theory of how the food allergies came to be) -
Looking back, and knowing what I do now, all these factors seemed to play into our problem.
During pregnancy, I was on antibiotics twice due to sinus infections.
DD was 10 days late, and after 36 hours of labor and babe not moving past 0 station (not dropping into my birth canal), I ended up with an unplanned c-section. I was also given numerous rounds of antibiotics during labor, because my temperature was "a little high".
I believe that the abx given to me during pregnancy were just too much for my immune system to handle, and I developed leaky gut (check out the Leaky Gut link for more info.) Probably my past history of abx and NSAID use, along with an unhealthy diet and alcohol use years prior probably made me a little predisposed to this problem. At this point, I think my body started reacting to foods that I was eating, but I didn't have symptoms strong enough for me to notice (or maybe I just thought they were pregnancy symptoms).
Because of the c-section, DD never traveled through the birth canal and picked up the initial bacteria that babies need to colonize their gut (GI tract). Also, because I received abx during labor, she started her days drinking abx-laced colostrum/milk, so that would have killed off any bacteria in her gut that she did manage to get. I believe these things left her gut exposed to damage (babies guts are naturally leaky, so that the breastmilk can pass through quickly), and since 70% of your immune system is located in your gut (Digestive Wellness), this meant that her immune system just couldn't handle what it should have.
(Being predisposed to gut damage, the later vaccines that DD was given overloaded her immune system, and she started reacting to the foods that were coming through my breastmilk.)
3 comments:
Hi!
I just stumbled onto your blog from the mothering forum. I too, have had traumatic births, though nothing compared to some!
I'm an ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) chapter leader, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor working to educate therapists and others about the impact of traumatic birth, *and* at least two of my children are food allergic (only dairy and gluten so far, but I think we are heading toward corn-free). Btw, interestingly, my most allergic child was born at home and has not received one vaccination, etc. Go figure!
At any rate, I read your story with compassion and horror at the incompetence that you have encountered. I'm so sorry for your experiences, but not surprised, unfortunately.
It can be a very lonely process and hands-down the best support I've found (particularly for the concrete, what can I eat stuff), is the foodlab. The url is: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/foodlab
If for some reason that doesn't work, feel free to email me at craigiecarter at gmail.com.
Warmly,
Christie
I was there too with my first baby. Your story brings back painful memories from those first 6months befor we figured out it was food allergies. The loooonng nights when my ds too would finally fall asleep from exhaustion only to wake a short while later hysterical yet again, the deep depression I sunk into for nothing seemed to help him, and really just the misery of how my life was turned upside down and inside out. I wish dr's knew more or opened their eyes more to offer some help for mothers and babies in this situation. My ds finally got diagnosed from a dermatologist because in sheer desperation I took him there to find out about the rashes and it took him about 5 seconds of seeing ds to figure out it was food allergies from my breastmilk. Thanks pediatrician for making me feel like I was a paranoid first time mom and telling me "babies just cry, get used to it." So sorry to hear that you and your lo one through this too, my heart goes out to you for I know the deepness of your pain. My ds is 7 yo now and I still have moments of guilt for not figuring out sooner what was wrong with him and letting him suffer for months on end. It is irrational guilt I know, I did the best I could and didn't know what else to do but keep taking him to the dr. over and over and over again, never to get any answers at all. Peace to you and you child.
As a local International Cesarean Awarness Network leader, I can understand your concerns about your c-section. We are just starting the journey with food allergies/intolerances with my toddler. Ironically, he's my VBAC baby. His brother, my c-section baby (failed induction for pre-eclampsia) is the healthiest child I know. C-sections bring out so many emotions. I just thought I'd mention our story in case that might give you some peace about your scar. I know from experience that the 'what-ifs' can drive one mad.
Peace to you!
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