The Importance Of Weekly Pregnancy Calendar

Diaper Cake - A Fun Gift For The Expectant Mother

2008-02-18T03:55:00.000-08:00

A baby shower is a time for celebration. It is a time to treat the pregnant mother like royalty. This is meant to be her day. Pregnancy celebrations are in order; a new baby is going to arrive on the scene very soon. How do you decorate the baby shower party and what gifts do you give the expectant mother? Well, why not a diaper cake!

A diaper cake is an excellent centerpiece for a baby shower party. It will certainly generate a lot of laughter and cheer and will be the ideal gift for the pregnant mother.

As a first step in preparing the diaper cake, you need to know what size it will be. Usually a three-tier cake is prepared. This requires about fifty diapers. The base tier will require about thirty diapers, the middle tier about fifteen and the top tier will require five.

How To Make The Diaper Cake

To make the diaper cake, you need to have a cardboard paper towel roll or a baby bottle. Roll the diapers over this to give them a cylindrical shape and the tie them with rubber bands or adhesive tape. Use an attractive ribbon to hide the rubber band and give the diaper a decorative touch. Take a cardboard platter and assemble the tiers on top of each other. You can assemble them with the help of safety pins and scotch tape. Now tuck little baby toys and baby items into the ribbons as decorations. To conclude, you should top the cake with something that suits the theme of the baby shower party. It could be a teddy bear, or a cartoon character or any such thing, based on your baby shower theme.

A good idea will be to use several baby items to decorate your diaper cake so that your cake makes an attractive gift. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Couple Showers For The Pregnant Couple

2008-02-18T03:51:00.000-08:00

Couple showers, as the name suggests is when both the pregnant mother and the father to be are the guests of honor at the baby shower. So the shower’s held not just for the mother, and is not just an all women event, but the baby’s grandfathers, uncles, granduncles and cousins are also invited.

Couple Showers Are Slightly Different Form Regular Showers

Couple showers can be different from the normal baby showers parties. In normal baby showers, you have decorations and baby shower games. Of course, you have many pretty decorations in couple baby showers as well. However, you can plan games that are different from the ones held in regular baby showers.

Baby Swings And Toys

One great idea for a baby shower party is to hand out screwdrivers and hammers to the male guests and get them to create baby swings and toys for the new entrant into the family.

The Beer Game

Another cool idea is to organize a baby shower game that both, the males and females will enjoy. Have a game such as who can drink beer the fastest out of a baby bottle. And give the winner a nice gift. This game also makes for some fun photographs and lots of laughter.

Pregnancy Due Date

Still another fun idea is to prepare a chart with the dates when the pregnant mother could be due. Then ask the guests to guess and sign their names on the date they think the baby will arrive. Remember to send the winner a prize!

Gifts For The Guests

Lots and lots of baby shower favors for the guests is something you must have. After all, the couple shower is a pregnancy celebration and the guests are well-wishers. So select some useful and attractive gifts to give away as prizes for the games and as favors too, and watch as your guests walk away with fond memories!

Cord Blood - Uses And Benefits

2008-02-18T03:49:00.000-08:00

What is cord blood and why is there so much of talk about it? Cord blood is human blood from the placenta which is collected after it has been separated from the new born infant. Till only a few years ago the placenta was discarded because it was considered a waste product. Now however, we know that the placenta contains blood forming stem cells, which can be used to cure many blood related diseases.

What Is A Stem Cell

Stem cells are cells that can replicate any kind of blood cells. These cells can be stored and then used by the same donor, a relative or even an unrelated person.

Two Methods To Collect Stem Cells

In the first method the umbilical cord blood is collected after the baby is born and before the delivery of the placenta. In the second method the blood is collected after the placenta has been removed from the womb after childbirth. This blood needs to be processed within forty eight hours. The blood is preserved after removing the red cells.

Cord Blood Banking

Cord blood can be stored in banks for future use. Private cord blood banking is where cord blood is stored for the use of your child, you, or your immediate family. While on the other hand, a public cord blood bank stores blood for use of even unrelated persons. While storing your cord blood in a public bank is free, it can be a little expensive to store it in a private bank. And the blood can be stored in this way for up to ten years!

The Importance Of Cord Blood

Cord blood research began in the1970s when it was found that umbilical cord blood could supply the same kinds of blood forming stem cells as a bone marrow donor. It was found that cord blood could be used to treat diseases such as thallasemia, leukemia, anemia and immune deficiency. Therefore, if you have a family history of blood diseases or immune diseases then you must opt for cord blood storage. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Cord Blood Transplantation - Make A Wise Decision

2008-02-18T03:44:00.000-08:00

It was only a few years ago when the placenta was considered useless and thrown away as if it was a waste product. Now-a-days, it is a well known fact that human blood can be collected from the placenta, when it is separated at childbirth and stored for future use to treat dreaded diseases such a thallasemia, leukemia, lymphoma and sickle cell anemia. Therefore, cord blood transplantation has gained a lot of importance.

The Advantages Of Cord Blood Transplantation.

The umbilical cord stem cells can be isolated from the placenta more easily than those from bone marrow. Stem cell harvesting from bone marrow requires surgery.

Cord blood has a greater capacity to renew and replenish blood cells.

It is not necessary to have cord blood transplantation from someone whose blood group matches yours. Nor is it necessary that the donor should be a family member. Even an unrelated person will do. And thirdly, you do not have to wait to find a suitable donor.

Therefore, cord blood can be used whenever you want to because it can be stored in a cord blood bank. You will be able to use it after three weeks of it being isolated from the placenta. It is stored by keeping it frozen in liquid nitrogen.

The donation of cord blood does not adversely affect your health in any way. In fact, the only thing that happens is that you save a life!

The immune cells in cord blood will not attack the patient’s tissue whereas, the bone marrow stem cells may do this.

There are fewer chances of any deadly viruses, which may cause infections, being transmitted to the patient through cord blood.

Cord blood can be stored for up to ten years and still remain good for cord blood transplantation.

It is certain that after reading these benefits of cord blood transplantation, you will want to store your cord blood too. For more information visit pregnancy period.

The Significance Of Cord Blood Storage

2008-02-18T03:43:00.000-08:00

What is cord blood and what are the ways of cord blood storage? Cord blood is the blood that is removed from the placenta, when it is separated at childbirth. This blood is rich in stem cells that have the capacity to form new blood cells. Cord blood storage is the process of preserving this blood for future use. This blood can be used in the transplantation of blood for the treatment of fearsome diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia and thallasemia.

Cord Blood Storage And Preservation

The collection of cord blood takes place at childbirth. It is collected from the placenta either before or after it is separated from the mother. Then the cord blood is sent to a cord blood bank for preservation. However, before preserving it, the cord blood is screened for various diseases such as AIDS and other common genetic diseases. Finally, the red blood cells are separated out and the white blood cells are preserved in liquefied nitrogen at temperatures as low as 180 degrees. When the cord blood is required for a patient, it is defrosted and used for transplantation. The cord blood can remain in a cord blood bank for up to ten years.

The Benefits Of Cord Blood Storage

There is enough evidence of the benefits of cord blood storage. If you or some one in your family has a history of genetic illnesses, then you can use the stored cord blood to treat the patient. This blood is stored in a private or public cord blood bank. A private cord blood bank stores the blood at a specific fee and a public cord blood bank does not charge you anything to store it. The main advantage of storing your own cord blood is that you need not search for a donor when the time comes; you are your own donor. Though cord blood storage in a private cord blood bank can be a little expensive, it is well worth it. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Cord Blood Stem Cells For Curative Purposes

2008-02-18T03:41:00.000-08:00

To know about cord blood and its importance to humankind, it is first imperative to know what stem cells are. Cord blood stem cells are different from other cells in the body. These cells are able to divide and replenish themselves, and because they can create new blood cells they help in the repair of body tissues. These cord blood stem cells are used to treat diseases such as thalassemia, leukemia, immune deficiency and anemia.

Today umbilical cord blood is well known for its ability to cure certain diseases. But this was not so a few years ago. It was only in the 1970s that researchers discovered that the placenta of the pregnant mother is a rich source of stem cells. Before this stem cells from the bone marrow were used to treat such diseases.

Diseases That Can Be Treated Using Stem Cells

There are many life threatening diseases that can be treated using cord blood stem cells. Among these is leukemia, a dreaded blood cancer. The stem cell transplants enable the production of new blood and the restoration of the immune system in this disease. This treatment is also useful in thallasemia, sickle cell anemia, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Recent research has proved that heart disease, injuries of the spinal cord, neurological disorders and even diabetes can be treated with this method.

Here Are The Advantages of Cord Blood Stem Cell Usage

Cord blood can be easily collected from the placenta at childbirth where as stem cells from the bone marrow requires surgery.

Cord blood can be stored for future use in a cord blood bank, for as long as ten years. It can be transplanted back into the same donor, a close relative or an unknown person too.

Cord blood has a greater capacity to renew stem cells as compared to bone marrow.

By now you would have realized the importance of cord blood stem cells. They can save a life, and cord blood storage is advisable for a healthier future of you and your family. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Cord Blood Stem Cells For Curative Purposes

2008-02-18T03:37:00.000-08:00

To know about cord blood and its importance to humankind, it is first imperative to know what stem cells are. Cord blood stem cells are different from other cells in the body. These cells are able to divide and replenish themselves, and because they can create new blood cells, they help in the repair of body tissues. These cord blood stem cells are used to treat immune deficiency and diseases such as thallesemia, leukemia and anemia.

Today umbilical cord blood is well known for its ability to cure certain diseases. But this was not the case a few years ago. It was only in 1970s that researchers discovered that the placenta of a pregnant mother is a rich source of stem cells. Before this, stem cells from bone marrow were used to treat immune deficiency and diseases like leukemia and anemia.

Diseases That Can Be Treated Using Stem Cells

There are many life threatening diseases that can be treated using cord blood stem cells. Among these is leukemia, a dreaded blood cancer. The stem cell transplants enable the production of new blood and the restoration of the body’s immune system in this disease. This treatment is also useful in thallesemia, sickle cell anemia, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Recent research has proved that heart disease, injuries of the spinal cord, neurological disorders and even diabetes can be treated with this method.

The Advantages of Cord Blood Stem Cell Usage

Cord blood can be easily collected from the placenta at child birth, whereas collection of stem cells from the bone marrow requires surgery.

Cord blood can be stored for future use for as long as ten years in a cord blood bank. It can be transplanted back into the same donor, a close relative or an unknown person too.

Cord blood has a greater capacity to renew stem cells as compared to bone marrow.

By now, you would have realized the importance of cord blood stem cells. They can save a life and cord blood storage is advisable for your you’re your family’s healthier future. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Cord Blood Registry- FAQs

2008-02-18T03:34:00.000-08:00

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions on cord blood

What Is Cord Blood?

Cord blood is the blood that is collected from the placenta, when it is separated at child birth. This blood contains stem cells, which can be used in treating a number of hereditary and immune-system diseases. The blood can be stored in a cord blood registry or a cord blood bank.

What Is A Stem Cell?

Cord blood contains stem cells. These cells have the amazing capability to recreate themselves into new red and white blood cells and even brain and muscle cells. That is why they are immensely useful in treating diseases related to blood and immune system.

How Is Cord Blood Collected?

One way through which umbilical cord blood is collected is after the baby is born but before the delivery of the placenta. In the other method, it is collected after the placenta is delivered. Whichever way it may be collected, it is a painless and harmless procedure.

How Is Cord Blood Processed?

The cord blood must be collected and sent to a cord blood registry within forty eight hours. Here, the blood must be screened for any diseases or infections. Subsequently, the red blood cells are separated from the cord blood and the remaining cord blood is frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen.

What Is Cord Blood Banking?

Cord blood banking is the process of storing your cord blood in a bank for future use, either by you and your family member or some unrelated person (if you have donated your cord blood).

What Are Different Types Of Cord Blood banks?

There are two types of cord blood banks, private and public. Private cord blood registries are those that store your cord blood for use by you and your family members. A public cord blood bank is a bank where you donate your cord blood so that it can be used to treat any unrelated person or used for cord blood research. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Cord Blood Preservation – A Means To Secure Your Children’s Future

2008-02-18T03:27:00.000-08:00

The process of cord blood preservation starts at child birth. The cord blood is collected from the placenta. This blood is rich in stem cells and blood forming cells, which is why it is so useful in the treatment of dreaded diseases associated with the blood and immune system.

The Cord Blood Preservation Process

What are the ways and means of cord blood preservation? First of all, parents must agree for the collection of the cord blood. If they do then, about 250 ml of cord blood is collected in special containers and the blood is sent to a cord blood bank. It should not take more than forty eight hours to reach the cord blood bank. Here the blood is screened for any hereditary diseases and infectious diseases such as AIDS. It is also checked for tissue type. Then, the red blood cells are separated from the white blood cells and the blood is frozen and stored in the blood bank.

Storing Your Baby’s Cord Blood In A Cord Blood Bank

If you have a history of hereditary diseases in your family, then it is a good idea to store your baby’s cord blood for future use. You can store it in a private cord blood bank. Although this will be a little expensive, but you can be sure of getting hold of the blood for use, whenever you want it. The blood can be stored this way for up to ten years. You or your immediate family members will be able to avail the benefits from the cord blood that you have stored. The other option is to store the cord blood in a public cord blood bank. Here the cord blood is stored for free. However, at a public cord blood bank, apart from you, even an unrelated person can have access to this cord blood. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Weekly Pregnancy Calendar- a step by Step Weekly Guide to Pregnancy

2007-12-03T01:54:00.000-08:00

Weekly Pregnancy Calendar- a step by Step Weekly Guide to Pregnancy

It is an amazing thing to be pregnant. The feeling is special, the experience of a life time. A weekly pregnancy calendar takes you through your pregnancy, step by step, week by week. It guides you during pregnancy. It is very important to be well informed about your condition, so that you can have a safe and healthy pregnancy. A weekly pregnancy calendar allows you to do just that.

Pertinent Information

A weekly pregnancy calendar gives you pertinent information about the changes that occur in your body, week after week during the three trimesters. It lets you know about the way the baby is forming inside you, every little change that occurs in the baby week by week. It also offers you know how on common symptoms of pregnancy and common complaints. You will be informed about the more serious complications that can occur during pregnancy, after all, forewarned is forearmed. You will get useful information on what to eat and what not to eat during the nine months of pregnancy. This is important, as nutrition and diet play a major role in a healthy pregnancy.

Choosing Your Calendar

To be able to fill the weekly calendar template, you have to know your due date. The doctor can help you find out your due date. You can either go in for an online weekly pregnancy calendar or get your self a weekly printable calendar.

You must be aware that while the weekly pregnancy calendar is an excellent step-by-step guide to pregnancy, it is not a substitute for a good doctor. It is very important that you get good advice from your doctor and visit him for regular check ups. The calendar can help your doctor monitor you better. Now, you will be better aware of your bodily changes, your condition, and the baby inside you.