- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Natural Birth
deslet
member
Autism?
deslet
member
I was watching the first episode of More Business of Being Born yesterday on Netflix and Ina May G. mentioned how she doesn't know of any autistic kids that were born naturally on the Farm. I have a friend with an autistic daughter and she feels like maybe her induced labor had something to do with autism. I was just curious if any of you who have given birth naturally before have a child with autism or know anything about this theorized connection.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Autism?
Induced labor = child with autism?
Now that's something I haven't heard yet. Also, it's stupid.
Avery - 8.2.07 | Asher - 5.12.10 | Audrey - 11.28.12
I've read a couple speculations that pitocin causes an overdose of oxytocin at the time of birth, which can lead to the development of autism spectrum later. There are a few studies linking an oxytocin imbalance to autism. If I can find the article I read, I'll link it, but you can search for Hollander's hypothesis and find it.
I don't think this is out of line for OP to ask about. There are theories out there by respected midwives and researchers that concern this subject. Unfortunately, there are no solid studies conducted on the matter, so no one knows for sure.
https://www.autismtoday.com/articles/ATTN_Researchers.htm
Sorry, it's not letting me make it clicky. Again, as the article mentions, these are just speculations, pending official research.
NorCalMOMS bio* NorCalBOTB* babywearingBIO
Harmony Doula
Did we read the same post? She doesn't blame her friend. It seems like her friend blames her self.
I have heard many theories about things that cause autism from GMOs to ultrasounds to vaccines to pitocin. Until I see concrete evidence that any of these things cause autism I'm not buying into it.
What the what?!? No one blamed anyone! If I read correctly, she was worried her friend blamed herself (which would make her an empathetic and kind friend, IMO). Which I think we've all been clear on--she shouldn't!
They used to think polio was caused by ice cream bc polio cases increased during the summer time and so it the sale of ice cream! Sometimes correlations can be totally off.
It's all speculation right now, and I think it was dangerous of Ina May to speak about a correlation when there is no research to back it up.
While I don't believe there is enough evidence to suggest that Pitocin or ultrasounds cause autism, I do believe that we are doing *something* that is causing the increase. I worked with children with ASD as well as their families and we do a seminar each year to get updated on some theories parents are tossing around and while Pitocin wasn't directly mentioned the idea of inducing too early which can cause issues with brain development was brought up this year. Same with first trimester ultrasounds. For the record, I don't exactly believe these things are the direct cause of autism myself. I had a dating u/s at 7 weeks and didn't bat an eye during it.
Other things being tossed around are high fructose corn syrup, food preservatives additives, GMOs, pesticides, and of course vaccines are still a hot topic. In many cases I see a clear genetic link between the parents and child. I feel like many of the parents have ASD and just were diagnosed as something else as children as autism wasn't as widely diagnosed until recently (OctoMom kind of comes to mind when I think about this, just from seeing interviews with her I question if she is on the spectrum herself, which my explain why several of her children are). Other parents may have a child with a severe ASD diagnosis but are not on the spectrum themselves and have other children who are not, either, and there seems to be no genetic link.
Autism is, quite frankly, baffling to pretty much everyone. Theories are abound and while it may have to do with our birth or womb experience, it may not at all and be more environmental or genetic. It's highly possible there are numerous causes for ASD which is why ASD has a very broad spectrum from minor to severe.
I do think it's important to make yourself aware of ASD and early signs as the sooner you can start interventions the better. So I see nothing wrong with your post and question. But to be paranoid of every action you take, or blaming yourself for causing it if your child does get diagnosed, isn't going to help anyone, especially you. Who knows, maybe stress during pregnancy causes ASD.
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
I'm not particularly educated about autism, but I do know that I've seen about a million headlines that say "X linked to Autism." This leads me to believe that the rise in autism correlates with SO many factors in our society that until scientists get around to isolating those factors in controlled environments (which itself is going to be nearly impossible, since many theories point to influences over the course of the mother's lifetime or even HER mother's lifetime), we are never going to know the true cause. As such, I think it's tremendously damaging to make decisions based on sheer speculation.
In the world of natural birth, there ARE many arguments for which the data are clear and irrefutable. This is DEFINITELY not one of them.
Right?!
My Mom is a speech pathologist and works a lot with kids on the spectrum. She told me last year that she read an article that was showing a link in premature births and autism- it makes sense since so much brain development happens in those last few weeks.
So, when I read posts like this I have to wonder if there is a sort of correlation...but instead of the link being to the act of induction (or the drugs that are used during the process, etc.), the link is that some of these babies are being induced before they are done cooking. We all know that in most cases gestational age is just a guess and that in many cases some babies just need more time. So, even if a baby is not induced until 39 weeks, we really have no way of knowing if their brains are full developed.
I am not saying this is the cause of Autism or that all early babies are going to be autistic...or that babies who are overdue won't be autistic (disclaimer disclaimer etc.), but the correlation (between premature birth and autism) IMO should be explored further.
I just re-watched this portion of "More BOBB." The conversation literally took place around a kitchen table and it was more of speculation and curiosity about why they have seen so little autism in children born on The Farm.
Neither MW made any kind of absolute statements but rather were pointing out that it was interesting and perhaps related to the "no intervention" type of care they provide.
It was interesting food for thought and I think many people can appreciate raising questions about something that definitely still has unknown implications if only to educate themselves further.
SAHM to two sweet girls, both born at home; Baby #3 in 2013!
This is really interesting. I would love to see more studies done on this.
ITA. She is just asking a question. Everyone speculates about the causes of autism. She's not blaming anyone or anything. She's curious. We all are!
FWIW, I had my son via spontaneous natural vaginal delivery at 38 weeks, and he is on the autism spectrum. My other son was a pit augmented labor and vaginal delivery at term also, and he is neurotypical. So who knows?
I do think it's maybe a little over-diagnosed these days, or at least children who clearly have Aspbergers get an Autism diagnosis, which while they are both on the spectrum are very different thing. But I also think we are seeing more cases of it then ever before. If you've ever worked closely with children with ASD you will see a clear difference between them and child who don't have ASD. Since most of child care experience for 4 years straight dealt with children with ASD I almost forgot how most children develop/learn/act. It was only when I switched over did I realize how drastic the difference truly is. I don't remember going to school with anyone who behaved/thought/functioned like a child with ASD does when I was growing up and I'm only 30. Even things like ADD and ADHD weren't as prevalent when I was in elementary school.
So, yeah, I do think we are doing something to cause an increase in ASD, but am not even going to start trying to fathom what that could be, if a single cause is even the culprit. It's mostly likely a combination of many things that are both genetic and environmental.
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
This is a ridiculous question in such a serious post...but for the love of all that is holy, where or where did you get your Karl Pilkington siggy?! Brilliant.
I have read studies that identify brain differences by the second trimester in babies that develop autism. So, no, I don't think pitocin causes autism.
People are grasping at straws here.
If I had to pick my poison, I'd go with endocrine disruptors (BPA in can linings, our water supply, etc), heavy metal pollutants in our environment, or pesticides. These are prevalent and women and children are exposed to them constantly. Not a couple of hours of a drug that mimics a natural birth hormone. But that's just me!