02/03/2026
“And it starts earlier than you think.
Amniotic fluid loves to absorb near-infrared light. A 2010 study on the optical properties of human amniotic fluid found something remarkable: Amniotic fluid selectively transmits red and near-infrared light, with peak transmission at 850nm—the exact wavelength abundant in morning and evening sunlight. These are the same wavelengths that power mitochondrial energy production and cellular development.
But here’s the critical part: As pregnancy progresses, light transmission drops. Amniotic fluid becomes more optically dense in later gestation, meaning less light passes through. Early and mid-pregnancy sun exposure matters most.” – Lindsey Mathews Cantu, DC
In postpartum, your body heals through signals, and one of the most powerful (and overlooked) signals in pregnancy and postpartum is natural light. Morning and evening sunlight help regulate hormones, support tissue repair, stabilize mood, and even entrain your baby’s developing circadian rhythm before and after birth.
Keep reading “The Sun Pillar: Light As Medicine From Conception to Recovery” by Lindsey Mathews Cantu, DC in the current issue of Pathways. Subscribers can read now at the link in bio. Subscriptions begin at just $20/year: https://pathwaystofamilywellness.org/pregnancy-birth/the-sun-pillar-light-as-medicine-from-conception-to-recovery.html