Pregnant or not, nobody enjoys getting a cold. Coughing, sneezing, and that general “blah” feeling can make just about anyone eager to feel better. Still, being sick while pregnant may add additional concern for some expectant mothers. Here are some common questions along with the answers to put your mind at ease: Is there a way to prevent catching the… Read More »5 Common Questions About the Common Cold During Pregnancy
For anyone expecting their first child, the process of completing a baby registry can definitely be a bit overwhelming. In addition to your own confusion, you’ll likely receive plenty of unsolicited advice from family and friends. From cribs to car seats and swings to strollers, there are so many options! How do you know what’s important or necessary for your… Read More »10 Things You Don’t Need on Your Baby Registry
Using Cord Blood to Treat Babies with Hurler Syndrome Do you have a family history of Hurler Syndrome? Are you currently pregnant or planning to start a family? There is positive news for treatment of this rare, inherited and life-threatening disease. About Hurler Syndrome Hurler syndrome is also known as mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I). According to the National MPS… Read More »Using Cord Blood to Treat Babies with Hurler Syndrome
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) was brought to global attention over the past year by the widely-shared “Ice Bucket Challenge.” What is ALS? Also commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It is a fatal diagnosis, and 90% of cases are people with “sporadic ALS,” meaning… Read More »Umbilical Cord Stem Cells to Treat ALS?
Whether you’re pregnant with your first child, or you’ve given birth before, you probably have a few ideas about what you want your birth experience to be like. Although no birth ever goes exactly as expected, creating a birth plan provides an increased sense of peace and control. A complete birth plan also helps ensure that everyone involved with the… Read More »5 Things to Consider When Creating Your Birth Plan
If you have visited your OB/GYN doctor in recent years, you may have seen brochures or other literature advertising umbilical cord blood banks. If you’re pregnant, you are probably getting bombarded by these marketing materials. Cord blood banks advertise in email newsletters, maternity stores, and pregnancy magazines. Even worse, most of the marketing looks nearly identical from one company to… Read More »The Difference Between Family Cord Blood Banks and Corporate Banks
Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg, Chief Scientific Officer, Robertson Clinical and Translational Cell Therapy Program at Duke University, has been practicing regenerative medicine through the use of umbilical cord stem cells. These FDA-approved clinical trials could improve the lives of many, including children with brain injuries. One of Dr. Kurtzberg’s patients is Grace Matthews. During a routine 20 week ultrasound, it was… Read More »Video: FDA Study Uses Umbilical Cord Blood in New Treatments
Summer is a great time to be pregnant (no, we’re not joking!). With long days and warmer weather, now is a perfect time to get out of the house, break free from the gym, and enjoy healthy activities. If you were physically active before your pregnancy, you should be able to continue your activity with modifications as necessary. With your… Read More »The Best Summer Exercises for Pregnancy
Cord blood stem cells have been used for more than twenty years as a powerful medical resource in fighting devastating chronic and acute diseases. Ongoing clinical trials provide hope that these stem cells will one day change the lives of many more people. Diabetes research is one such area of particular interest. About Diabetes According to the Diabetes Research Institute,… Read More »Clinical Trial: Cord Blood to Treat Diabetes
At every doctor’s appointment, there seems to be a new, big decision to be made. When those appointments start coming every two weeks instead of every month, you may feel like you’re constantly facing potentially life-altering choices. Should I undergo early stage pregnancy screenings? What is my ideal birth plan? Will I breastfeed or bottle feed? Who will I choose… Read More »Should I bank cord blood?