Health & Fitness

Baby: Umbilical Cord Blood Banks

June 23, 2008 – 1:00 pm
Donating and storing cord blood is a process. The process includes choosing the bank for donation or storage. Once the bank is chosen, the bank personnel will assist you with the necessary tools for collecting the blood. In some cases, a cord blood bank will provide a medical professional to draw the blood at the time of birth. The process varies from bank to bank. Once the blood is collected, it is cryogenically frozen for later use in medical treatments.The umbilical cord is the babys lifeline. Oxygen and nourishment from the placenta is provided to the baby via the umbilical cord. Once the baby is delivered, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. What is left attached to the baby is called the umbilical stump. Once cut, the umbilical cord serves no purpose for the baby and usually falls off within a week.Umbilical Stump CareThere are varied beliefs on the ...

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Baby: Newborn Infants

June 22, 2008 – 1:00 pm
There is nothing more precious than the experience of having a baby. There is also nothing more frightening. Parents try very hard to prepare for the day that their newborn arrives into the world, but there are going to be surprises no matter how much your prepare. However, there are things that you can expect from the moment your baby is delivered.Immediately after your baby is delivered, the attending medical personnel will perform what is called an Apgar test. This test is intended to test the physical responses of your baby. The test includes testing skin color, heart rate, reflexes, general activity, and breathing. The results of this test will determine whether your baby will need immediate intervention from medical staff or assistance breathing.How Your Newborn Will LookIt is completely normal for your babys head to seem large in proportion to the rest of its body. Your babys head may ...

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Baby: Saving Cord Blood

June 21, 2008 – 1:00 pm
Saving cord blood is a lifesaving measure for the many members of society who suffer from terminal cancers and genetic disorders. The ethical concerns over stem cell research and usage for medical treatments are far outweighed by successful treatments administered to recipients. As this form of medical treatment becomes more and more widespread more lives will be saved.Expectant parents need to be aware of so many things. Cord blood donation is one of many. The best way to experience peace when expecting is to know what is going on with your body and your baby throughout the nine months. There are many publications that can give you a step by step synopsis of how your babys development is progressing and how this development causes changes in your body.The Trimesters of ChildbirthDuring the first trimester, your baby is very small. At the end of the first trimester, the baby is only ...

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Baby: Advantages Of Cord Blood Banking

June 20, 2008 – 1:00 pm
The real advantage of cord blood banking is the knowledge that your baby or family member is protected in the event of illness. There are so many uncontrollable factors in childbearing it is nice to have some insurance that you have taken precautions to protect your newborn. Outside of storing cold blood, expectant parents can take many precautions, but there is no insurance. The best that can be done is learning as much as possible about childbirth. Preparation will calm your nerves when the big moment comes.Your best defense for keeping your baby safe is to ask a lot of questions ahead of time. Know what to expect from labor, so that you approach the end of your ninth month with confidence that things will go smoothly and without complication. Your babys life depends on it.What to Expect from LaborSometimes the most difficult thing about labor is understanding when you ...

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Baby: Personal Cord Blood Banks

June 19, 2008 – 1:00 pm
The difference between personal cord blood storage and donating cord blood is mostly cost. To store your personal cord blood, you will typically spend approximately one thousand dollars for the initial extraction. You may spend upwards of one hundred dollars annually to store the blood. The fees and process of extraction depends on the cord blood storage bank or research facility.The details that need to be tended to when expecting a baby go beyond the choice of storing cord blood. It is most important to be aware of your body and your babys development throughout the month by month pregnancy process. Getting good prenatal care is at the top of your list of concerns for a healthy pregnancy. If you know what to expect each month you will feel more confident during your pregnancy.Prenatal CareContrary to what some may think, it is important to get prenatal care early in your ...

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