Ep 020: How Light Affects Pregnancy, Delivery and the Developing Fetus with Doula Nikko Kennedy

In this episode, we go deep on how and why it is crucial to optimize circadian rhythms during pregnancy and beyond with doula and certified quantum biologic practitioner, Nikko Kennedy. Nikko has a Bachelor of General Science with a focus on Biology and Psychology and brings an evidence-based approach to her work which focuses on the connection between the light environment of the mother and the development of the fetus - that’s right, mom’s screen time affects the baby in utero. We also talk about light and its role in labor, delivery and postpartum. This is a fascinating, fact filled conversation that’s incredibly important.

“Spending a week in the NICU is really what kicked me off with making the connection between circadian dysregulation and pregnancy,” shares Nikko Kennedy. Nowadays, mothers give birth in bright white hospital rooms and then they bring their newborn home to an environment filled with artificial light. Even before the baby is born, pregnant women are constantly experiencing circadian disruptions due to maladaptive sleeping and eating schedules, lack of outdoor time, and a toxic addiction to blue light. Research has shown a strong correlation between circadian disruption and common pregnancy problems like pre-eclampsia and postpartum depression. It has even been shown that mental illnesses like autism and ADHD can be tied back to circadian disruption experienced by the baby while in the womb. When a mother’s circadian rhythm is disrupted, so is that of the fetus. This can lead to lifelong health complications.

Circadian rhythm is incredibly important, especially for a pregnant woman and her developing baby. New research suggests a clear connection between the role of light and the health of both the mother and the baby.

Quotes

• “Spending a week in the NICU is really what kicked me off with making the connection between circadian dysregulation and pregnancy.” (5:55-6:02 | Nikko)
• “We find circadian disruption being a uniting factor between some of the most mysterious yet common pregnancy problems.” (17:59-18:08 | Nikko)
• “Circadian disruption is highly correlated with infertility.” (30:48-30:51 | Nikko)
• “The breast milk is making the melatonin that the baby needs to transition into being an air breathing being. And so that's where it's really important for the mother to have a strong circadian rhythm through labor and delivery and postpartum so that the baby has protective melatonin to counter the natural oxidative stress that it experiences at that time.” (36:02-36:31 | Nikko)
• “Babies who are premature tend to have higher oxidative stress, and mother's milk of premature babies actually tends to have higher levels of melatonin in it than babies who are full term.” (38:26-38:40 | Nikko)

Links

Connect with Nikko Kennedy:

IG: @brighterday.darkernights

Website: https://www.brighterdaysdarkernights.com

Local doula website: https://sunkissedbirth.com

Papers Nikko discussed:

Population wide study

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-022-02028-3

Newborn case study with maximal daylight and no artificial light at night: https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/22.3.303

Bilirubin and SAD: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3223(01)01254-9

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