Browse: Home / pregnancy / The final touches happen in the last weeks before birth

Menu

Skip to content
  • About
  • Better Body Chemistry School
  • Book a health conversation
  • Speaking query
  • The “Big” Spoons
Header image

BBC

Small things can make a big difference to your health

advertisement

Menu

Skip to content
  • Home
  • Free Resources
    • 31 days to Better Body Chemistry
    • Willpower Report
    • Weight loss e-course
    • The ups and downs of insulin resistance
    • Candy Floss Boards
    • Weight tracker
  • Library
  • Shop
  • Baobab Adventures
  • Lucky dip
  • Buy me a coffee
  • Video gallery
  • Contact

The final touches happen in the last weeks before birth

Posted by Dr Sandy on in pregnancy | 207 Views | Leave a response

putting the finishing touches to babyYou feel like a beached whale. You’re HOT and have lots of aches and pains. You’ve had enough – you’re ready to give birth, to get the show on the road and begin being a mother.

But it is not about whether you’re ready.

The million dollar question………… is your baby ready to be born ?

Probably not.

Coming early is trending

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic report on a disturbing trend……..

10 to 15 % of births happen, before 39 weeks, which is early if you’re “normal” and seriously early if you are a late bloomer.

The reason for these early arrivals.

BECAUSE…..

In the majority of cases, there is no true medical indication for early delivery.

Coming early is RISKY

Multiple studies have shown, pre-term births i.e. early arrival, even marginally early arrivals, are associated with COMPLICATIONS. The most conspicuous difficulties, arise in the breathing department and/or feeding department.

This makes sense, because these two systems are being worked on, right until the moment of birth.

Taking the first breath

Of air. This is huge…..

Up until the big moment, Mom’s lungs have ensured the blood pumping around is fully oxygenated. The lungs in utero are full, not of air, but liquid – necessary for development, but not suited for breathing air.

To catch their first breath, the lungs need this fluid to be drained. Plus the lungs need to be coated, with a special surfactant secretion, that stabilizes them sufficiently, so they can handle the air pressure.

In addition to readying the breathing equipment, the plumbing system needs a little re-routing. As the placenta goes off line, the lung circulatory system needs to kick in.

Disconnecting the feeding tube

The disconnection of the placenta, does more than just discontinue the air supply, it also cuts the food supply too. The moment the cord is severed – glucose levels plummet.

The liver needs to make a plan and begin the process of gluconeogenesis i.e. making it’s own glucose, in order to keep the body fuelled up. And to make matters worse, the demand for fuel rockets, because being born is hard work and the outside world, is “FREEZING” !

This is serious…………

Being born involves metabolic shifts. Insulin levels fall and glycogen emerges as the stand-by energy source. To keep warm (thermogenesis) and keep going, the baby needs to tap it’s rather limited reserve.

Reserves that are only put in place, in the period just before birth, since there is no point in storing fuel for a rainy day. The placenta guarantees the absence of rainy days.

The big transition

This BIG transition is driven by hormones. The hormone that leads the pack is cortisol – the stress hormone, along with the catecholamines. These hormones, only arrive on the scene, late in the game. Mother Nature waits till the end, to add the finishing touches, these finishing touches ensure the baby makes the transition from the warm cosy womb, to the big wide world, smoothly.

So, when a baby comes early, even just a little, the package is not a hundred percent complete and there can be complications.

Don’t get inpatient or get talked into speeding things up. Trust Mother Nature – her timing is PERFECT. The moment the water bursts………she is announcing, she is done, your baby is now ready for delivery.

Physiology of Transition from intrauterine to Extrauterine Life. Clin Perinatol. (2012) 39(4): 769–783. Noah Hillman, Suhas G. Kallapur, Alan Jobe.
Maternal and Neonatal Complications of Elective Early-Term Deliveries. Mayo Clinic Proceedings (2013) 88 (11): 1312. Jani R. Jensen, Wendy M. White, Charles C. Coddington.

Further reading

ice cubes being served in the labour ward tn the sweat and tears in breast milk baby's milk attracting bacteria
Blast from the past keeps women sucking ice cubes in labour  Germ free milk is not good medicine   Babies who arrive via c-section arrive programmed to be fat


Better body chemistry for expectant moms

If you are an expectant Mom or know someone that is – invite them to participate, so they can create Better Body Chemistry during their pregnancy and raise a HAPPY HEALTHY little one.

Expecting ?
* indicates required

Close

Posted in pregnancy | Tagged baby, birth, cortisol, delivery, glucose, induction, insulin, lungs, placenta, pregnancy, thermogenesis

Connect with us

facebook you tube pinterest 40 Linkedin

Instagram

betterbodychemistry
@betterbodychemistry
Follow
Driving Into Skin Damage
Inside the car, you’re not getting sunburnt, but your skin isn’t safe.
UVA sneaks through glass—and your daily drive might be aging your skin faster than you think.

☀️ No heat. No redness. No warning signs. Just slow collagen breakdown... from the driver’s seat.

🧬 I break down stories like this weekly—science that protects your skin and everything beneath it.
📩 Want more like this? Join the storytelling list. Link in bio.

#SkinHealth #UVAwareness #UVA #SkinDamage #HealthScience #ScienceStories #BodyChemistry #InsidiousSunlight #EverydayHealth #ScienceMadeSimple
betterbodychemistry
betterbodychemistry
•
Follow
Driving Into Skin Damage Inside the car, you’re not getting sunburnt, but your skin isn’t safe. UVA sneaks through glass—and your daily drive might be aging your skin faster than you think. ☀️ No heat. No redness. No warning signs. Just slow collagen breakdown... from the driver’s seat. 🧬 I break down stories like this weekly—science that protects your skin and everything beneath it. 📩 Want more like this? Join the storytelling list. Link in bio. #SkinHealth #UVAwareness #UVA #SkinDamage #HealthScience #ScienceStories #BodyChemistry #InsidiousSunlight #EverydayHealth #ScienceMadeSimple
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
It’s one of those classic Catch-22s.

To work properly, CoQ10 needs to get in — and for that, it needs fat.

But if you're on a statin or trying to manage your cholesterol, you're probably avoiding high-fat meals.

So... take the supplement, and waste it?
Or eat the fat, and raise your cholesterol?
OF COURSE this might not be such a BAD THING. Lol. 

😬 That's the bind.

A shiny supplement with a sneaky flaw. Come scout supplements with me — for free. 

If you want to join the next session, head on over to my bio, navigate to the calendar, find the Scout Out Session and sign yourself up. 

#CoQ10
#statins
#musclefatigue
#cholesterol
#mitochondriahealth
#supplementtruth
#betterbodychemistry
#metabolichealth
#cholesterolhelp
betterbodychemistry
betterbodychemistry
•
Follow
It’s one of those classic Catch-22s. To work properly, CoQ10 needs to get in — and for that, it needs fat. But if you're on a statin or trying to manage your cholesterol, you're probably avoiding high-fat meals. So... take the supplement, and waste it? Or eat the fat, and raise your cholesterol? OF COURSE this might not be such a BAD THING. Lol. 😬 That's the bind. A shiny supplement with a sneaky flaw. Come scout supplements with me — for free. If you want to join the next session, head on over to my bio, navigate to the calendar, find the Scout Out Session and sign yourself up. #CoQ10 #statins #musclefatigue #cholesterol #mitochondriahealth #supplementtruth #betterbodychemistry #metabolichealth #cholesterolhelp
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
💊 You swallowed the supplement. 

But most of it didn’t make it past your gut. In fact, 95% of your CoQ10 supplement is likely pooped out.

Here’s why Q10’s size, structure, and your meal choices make a BIG difference in whether it actually helps.

🎯 Get digestible science stories—crafted with care and cartoons—to help you outsmart your symptoms and know more than your doctor (most days).. Hop on my list. The link is in my bio.

#CoQ10 #Statins #BetterBodyChemistry #MetabolicHealth #Q10Supplements #ScienceNotSupposition #PharmacologyFacts #GutHealth #SupplementSmarts #InsulinResistance
betterbodychemistry
betterbodychemistry
•
Follow
💊 You swallowed the supplement. But most of it didn’t make it past your gut. In fact, 95% of your CoQ10 supplement is likely pooped out. Here’s why Q10’s size, structure, and your meal choices make a BIG difference in whether it actually helps. 🎯 Get digestible science stories—crafted with care and cartoons—to help you outsmart your symptoms and know more than your doctor (most days).. Hop on my list. The link is in my bio. #CoQ10 #Statins #BetterBodyChemistry #MetabolicHealth #Q10Supplements #ScienceNotSupposition #PharmacologyFacts #GutHealth #SupplementSmarts #InsulinResistance
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
🧠 What exactly is Q10… and why is it always mentioned with statins?

It’s safe.
It’s popular.
But it’s still misunderstood.

This short is your quick intro to a molecule that gets a lot of attention — especially if you’re taking a statin.

🎥 Want the full story on statins, muscle loss & Q10?
👉 Watch the video — link in bio

🔬 Follow @betterbodychemistry for bite-sized science that actually makes sense.

#coenzymeQ10 #Q10supplement #ubiquinone 
#statins #musclehealth #cholesterollowering 
#mitochondria #metabolichealth #betterbodychemistry 
#healthscience #scienceexplained #insulinresistance
betterbodychemistry
betterbodychemistry
•
Follow
🧠 What exactly is Q10… and why is it always mentioned with statins? It’s safe. It’s popular. But it’s still misunderstood. This short is your quick intro to a molecule that gets a lot of attention — especially if you’re taking a statin. 🎥 Want the full story on statins, muscle loss & Q10? 👉 Watch the video — link in bio 🔬 Follow @betterbodychemistry for bite-sized science that actually makes sense. #coenzymeQ10 #Q10supplement #ubiquinone #statins #musclehealth #cholesterollowering #mitochondria #metabolichealth #betterbodychemistry #healthscience #scienceexplained #insulinresistance
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
A health “nut” (classified as a lean mass hyper-responder) dropped his cholesterol by adding 12 Oreos a day to his keto diet.

Sounds delicious, right? 

But if you’re insulin resistant, this cookie hack could backfire.

🍪 Curious about how it actually worked? I break it down in this short.

And if you want more quirky science stories that help you understand your metabolism — 💌 I send them out via email. Link in bio to join.

#oreoexperiment #insulinresistance #cholesterolfix #ldlcholesterol #lowcarblife #metabolicsyndrome #healthcurious #betterbodychemistry 
#LMHR #leanmusclehyperresponder
betterbodychemistry
betterbodychemistry
•
Follow
A health “nut” (classified as a lean mass hyper-responder) dropped his cholesterol by adding 12 Oreos a day to his keto diet. Sounds delicious, right? But if you’re insulin resistant, this cookie hack could backfire. 🍪 Curious about how it actually worked? I break it down in this short. And if you want more quirky science stories that help you understand your metabolism — 💌 I send them out via email. Link in bio to join. #oreoexperiment #insulinresistance #cholesterolfix #ldlcholesterol #lowcarblife #metabolicsyndrome #healthcurious #betterbodychemistry #LMHR #leanmusclehyperresponder
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Ever wonder why your LDL spikes on keto?

It’s not the bacon. 🥓
It’s your liver — working overtime to fuel your body.

On keto, your cells switch from burning sugar to burning fat.
Your liver responds by sending out VLDL particles — packed with fat.
Once the fat is dropped off, what’s left becomes LDL.

⚠️ And that’s what shows up on blood work.
😱 Cue panic.

But if your liver is healthy, those LDLs are just passing through.
If not? They hang around. That’s when trouble starts.

🎥 Watch to understand the science behind rising LDL on keto — and why context matters.

#KetoScience #LMHR #LeanMassHyperResponder #LDLcholesterol #LowCarbLife #BetterBodyChemistry #MetabolicHealth #RootCause
betterbodychemistry
betterbodychemistry
•
Follow
Ever wonder why your LDL spikes on keto? It’s not the bacon. 🥓 It’s your liver — working overtime to fuel your body. On keto, your cells switch from burning sugar to burning fat. Your liver responds by sending out VLDL particles — packed with fat. Once the fat is dropped off, what’s left becomes LDL. ⚠️ And that’s what shows up on blood work. 😱 Cue panic. But if your liver is healthy, those LDLs are just passing through. If not? They hang around. That’s when trouble starts. 🎥 Watch to understand the science behind rising LDL on keto — and why context matters. #KetoScience #LMHR #LeanMassHyperResponder #LDLcholesterol #LowCarbLife #BetterBodyChemistry #MetabolicHealth #RootCause
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Is your LDL sky-high… but everything else looks great?

If you’re lean, athletic, and insulin sensitive — you might be what researchers are calling a Lean Mass Hyper-Responder (LMHR).

In this reel, I unpack new research comparing LMHRs to everyday folks. The LDL in LMHRs is often >190 mg/dL — a number that would alarm most doctors — but their CAC scores suggest their hearts are doing just fine.

The takeaway?
LDL might be loud, but it’s not always telling the truth.
The full picture matters.

🎬 This is Part 2 in my LMHR cholesterol series. Follow so you don’t miss Part 3, where we dive into the Lipid Energy Model — a theory that may explain what’s going on in LMHRs (and maybe in you too)

#LDL #Cholesterol #LMHR #InsulinResistance #CACscore #HeartHealth #LipidEnergyModel #BetterBodyChemistry #MetabolicHealth #TyGIndex #HealthEducation #LowCarbScience
betterbodychemistry
betterbodychemistry
•
Follow
Is your LDL sky-high… but everything else looks great? If you’re lean, athletic, and insulin sensitive — you might be what researchers are calling a Lean Mass Hyper-Responder (LMHR). In this reel, I unpack new research comparing LMHRs to everyday folks. The LDL in LMHRs is often >190 mg/dL — a number that would alarm most doctors — but their CAC scores suggest their hearts are doing just fine. The takeaway? LDL might be loud, but it’s not always telling the truth. The full picture matters. 🎬 This is Part 2 in my LMHR cholesterol series. Follow so you don’t miss Part 3, where we dive into the Lipid Energy Model — a theory that may explain what’s going on in LMHRs (and maybe in you too) #LDL #Cholesterol #LMHR #InsulinResistance #CACscore #HeartHealth #LipidEnergyModel #BetterBodyChemistry #MetabolicHealth #TyGIndex #HealthEducation #LowCarbScience
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Your numbers say danger zone — but your body says everything’s fine.
You might be an LMHR.

🎥 This is part 1 of a bigger story. Follow for what happens next.

#LDL #Cholesterol #LowCarbLife #MetabolicHealth #InsulinResistance 
#HeartHealth #KetoProblems #HealthExplained #BodyChemistry #BetterBodyChemistry 
#HealthTips #WellnessJourney #Biohacking #FunctionalMedicine #KnowYourNumbers
betterbodychemistry
betterbodychemistry
•
Follow
Your numbers say danger zone — but your body says everything’s fine. You might be an LMHR. 🎥 This is part 1 of a bigger story. Follow for what happens next. #LDL #Cholesterol #LowCarbLife #MetabolicHealth #InsulinResistance #HeartHealth #KetoProblems #HealthExplained #BodyChemistry #BetterBodyChemistry #HealthTips #WellnessJourney #Biohacking #FunctionalMedicine #KnowYourNumbers
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
🎯 One number.

One test you’ve probably never had… even though the data is already in your blood work.

It’s called the TyG Index—and it’s one of the best ways to see if insulin resistance is quietly messing with your metabolism.

🔍 My Metabolic Check makes it easy to calculate, understand, and use this number—and right now, you can get it FREE inside the Next Level Life Bundle.

💡You don’t need to figure everything out today.
But you do need to grab access before the bundle closes.

🕛 Deadline: Tonight at midnight (March 27)
🎁 100+ personal development tools
💻 Yours forever—if you sign up in time.

🔗 Link in bio

#NextLevelLifeBundle #MetabolicCheck #TyGIndex #InsulinResistance #MetabolicHealth #BloodSugarBalance #FreeHealthTools #HealthResources #ScienceBasedHealth #KnowYourNumbers #SugarCrashFix #EnergySupport #FreebieAlert #BetterBodyChemistry #DeadlineAlert
betterbodychemistry
betterbodychemistry
•
Follow
🎯 One number. One test you’ve probably never had… even though the data is already in your blood work. It’s called the TyG Index—and it’s one of the best ways to see if insulin resistance is quietly messing with your metabolism. 🔍 My Metabolic Check makes it easy to calculate, understand, and use this number—and right now, you can get it FREE inside the Next Level Life Bundle. 💡You don’t need to figure everything out today. But you do need to grab access before the bundle closes. 🕛 Deadline: Tonight at midnight (March 27) 🎁 100+ personal development tools 💻 Yours forever—if you sign up in time. 🔗 Link in bio #NextLevelLifeBundle #MetabolicCheck #TyGIndex #InsulinResistance #MetabolicHealth #BloodSugarBalance #FreeHealthTools #HealthResources #ScienceBasedHealth #KnowYourNumbers #SugarCrashFix #EnergySupport #FreebieAlert #BetterBodyChemistry #DeadlineAlert
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/9
View on Instagram
  • Popular
  • Featured
  • Recent
  • asprosin the sugar plum fairy

    Why sugar levels are high despite NOT eating

    22950 views / Posted
  • oatmeal breakfast being beaten by egg

    Which is a better breakfast, egg or oatmeal ?

    22707 views / Posted
  • poop getting stuck

    The fix for constipation is to go on a low fibre diet

    22300 views / Posted
  • chewing gum relieving postoperative ileus

    A stick of chewing gum gets the gut going after surgery

    16979 views / Posted
  • carbonated water bubbles fill you up

    Fizzing up the water flattens your appetite

    15850 views / Posted
  • sun extracting cholesterol

    Make sure you have your “annual” check-up in the summer time

    / Dr Sandy
  • sending your kid to bootcamp won't stop childhood obesity

    Moving more won’t stop your kid from getting fat

    / Dr Sandy
  • cholesterol at the scene of the accident

    Bone cells are stiffening up your arteries not cholesterol

    / Dr Sandy
  • brain size the problem in ADHD

    Are kids with ADHD just acting according to their brain age

    / Dr Sandy
  • plastering the blood vessel with calcium

    Calcium supplements are building bones and breaking hearts

    / Dr Sandy
  • Plant baring hamburgers

    Does Soy Build Muscle? Exploring the Science Behind Protein Choices

    / Dr Sandy
  • img-40

    The Dark Side of Weight Loss Drugs

    / Dr Sandy
  • Mother Nature stealing from peter to pay paul

    Are You Losing Muscle Without Realizing It? Here’s How to Protect It

    / Dr Sandy
  • img-42

    Your Resting Heart Rate could be a Red Flag for Metabolic Trouble

    / Dr Sandy
  • baby muscle mesmerized by the TV

    Tots watching too much TV end up being muscle flops

    / Dr Sandy

RSS Recent posts

Dr Sandy Dr Sandy Evans, PhD

Located in Johannesburg, South Africa

Disclaimer : The stories and articles are provided as a service. Dr Sandy's opinions are for information only, and are not intended to diagnose or prescribe. For your specific diagnosis and treatment, consult your doctor or health care provider.
 

Book an appointment

Calendar icon
 

Connect with Dr Sandy

facebook 40
you tube 40
pinterest 40
linkedin 40
 

Categories

Featured posts

  • asprosin the sugar plum fairy

    Why sugar levels are high despite NOT eating

    22950 views / Posted
  • oatmeal breakfast being beaten by egg

    Which is a better breakfast, egg or oatmeal ?

    22707 views / Posted
  • poop getting stuck

    The fix for constipation is to go on a low fibre diet

    22300 views / Posted
 

©2011-2025 Spoonful of Science

Menu

  • Meet Dr Sandy
  • Disclosure/disclaimer
  • Privacy policy
  • Comment policy
  • Contact