Teresa Heinz Kerry has been giving thoughtful answers to a variety of questions about women's health and the environment for the last week all over the internet, and today was our day for her to answer two questions from myself (Beachmom) and Eileen. In case you've never heard of a blog tour, it is a series of mini-interviews over many blogs over a period of time. Go here to get a complete schedule of Mrs. Kerry's blog tour.
Mrs. Kerry has held an annual Women's Health and the Environment conference sponsored by the Heinz Family Philanthropies since 1996, because, in her words, "I wanted to arm women with information about the relationship between the environment and their health". She has cared about the environment ever since she was a little girl in Africa and saw how the laws of nature impacted human health in the most direct way, from snake bites to malaria to staying away from the water at dusk and dawn when the crocodiles feed. With her extended knowledge of how the environment impacts our health, particularly women's health, it was enlightening to be able to get her thoughts on some of the most important health and environmental issues of our day:
Beachmom: I am a big believer in breastfeeding, and was able to breastfeed both of my babies for their first year of life. However, I have read disturbing reports that a lot of chemicals were found in women's breastmilk. The report did say that that shouldn't deter women from breastfeeding, for which the benefits far outweight the potentials costs of the chemicals found in it. My question is a) do you agree that in spite of the chemicals, women should continue to breastfeed and b) what can women do about this problem to lessen the amount of chemicals found in their breast milk.
Teresa Heinz Kerry: I remember when I had my first child in late 1966 in Pittsburgh. I did the "usual things" - first, I stayed in a "rooming in" (4 moms and babies), a large room with curtain dividers, because I wanted to have my baby nearby all day. Second, I chose to nurse - the only woman of my acquaintance then to do it. It was not fashionable, but I guess, coming from Africa that explained my behavior! Well, I had a great example from my mom and, of course, I thought it the natural thing to do, and "nature knows best."
All mothers should try to nurse their babies as long as they can manage and at least six weeks for the colostrum. Overall, the benefits outweigh the risks of passing toxins. (There are some exceptions and a mother would have to be highly toxic for a doctor to recommend that.) Having said that, nursing, certainly at the beginning, requires some ease, support, discipline and proper nutrition, and the experience can be different with every child!
The question of how to prepare one's body and health for successful pregnancy/lactation is an important health consideration. So many women find it difficult, scary, or unfeasible. But with awareness and patience, many of us can feel better about the risks.
Given the environmental hazards surrounding us, think clean and green with: household products, cosmetics (carcinogens, etc., no estrogens -breast cancer, childbearing age), beauty/personal care products, nail polishes that have phthalates, formaldehyde, etc., passive or real smoking, exposure to fumes of all kinds, and of course, avoid pesticide exposure -atrazine, insecticides, etc.
I just found out about a great little book that can help us with the cleaning issues: Clean: The Humble Art of Zen-Cleansing by Michael de Jong is available at Amazon.
You know we do not have a regulatory body like the Food and Drug Administration or the Environmental Protection Agency for the types of products that can cause difficulties. We women are the guinea pigs, unlike other countries that require a product's safety to be proven before it can go to market.
But on the nursing issue, please also listen to the mp3 audio file about the concerns we all share: Mothers' Milk: A Modern Dilemma
Beachmom: My mother also breastfed in the late '60s due to the fact that my older sister had digestive problems which the doctor said that breastfeeding would eliminate if she breastfed me. Well, my Mom was the only mother in the hospital breastfeeding, too! Not only that, she was the "case study" for all of the doctors and nurses to learn from, so there were constantly people coming in to see how it was done. Happily, more Moms than ever are giving it a try these days. I am excited to check out the book and the audio file, and pass it on to other Moms, who are trying their utmost to bring up their children, starting in the womb, in a healthy environment. Thank you for this advice.
Eileen: For a very long time, abortion has been the single most important issue for evangelical women. However, with so much of their support of environmental efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, can they now be considered single issue voters anymore? Will their broadening interests, particularly in the environment, lead to a change in who a "values voter" is, thereby causing a shift in our political discourse?
Teresa Heinz Kerry: Our womb is to the baby as the earth is to all living things. We all care about a sound and safe gestation free of toxins and particularly carcinogens. But according the Environmental Working Group's executive summary on the kinds and amounts of toxins in umbilical cords, we need to be doing a lot more to be truly pro-life.
It is pro-life to guarantee that our childrens' food, water and air are safe. It is pro-life to nurture and protect God's creation - all of it. That is a basic responsibility we all share the world over. It's not an ideological, political, or religious idea; it's merely a smart, just and kind attitude.
Thank you, Mrs. Kerry, for taking time out and "traveling" to Virginia Beach to answer our questions. It is important to note, that a new website has gone up which gives practical solutions to improve women's health as it relates to the environment. For example, this page gives advice in how to clean your house safely without introducing toxic chemicals into your home environment. I will definitely be bookmarking this site.
Tomorrow, Mrs. Kerry will be traveling up North to a Boston/New York blog, ToughEnough, which I enjoy reading on a regular basis. Have fun, guys!
Great job, Beachmom.