Cord Blood Banking

How do you decide on cord blood banking? Many soon-to-be parents ask this very question. Saving your baby's umbilical cord blood allows it to be cryogenically stored, and then available if your child later becomes sick and needs a bone marrow transplant.

This type of transplant is would be 'autologous' and is different than the more common 'allogenic' transplants that might be done from a sibling or other relative or an unrelated donor. Our own blood is the best choice for a transplant.

Often times, cord blood banking can save a baby's life. But still, there are many things to consider. Price seems to be the number one roadblock, with the complete cost being around $3,000. So, should you feel guilty if you just can't bank your child's blood. Certainly Not. Should you even consider cord blood banking. That part will be up to you.

If you already have a child or family member that has a condition that can be treated with a stem cell transplant (such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, aplastic anemia, leukemia, metabolic storage disorders and certain genetic immunodeficiencies), then you defenitely should consider cord blood banking.

Additional Resources:

Kegel Exercise for a Healthy Pregnancy

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With Kegal exercise, your pregnancy can be more comfortable before,
during, and after your baby is born. With the proper kegal exercise,
you can strengthen the vaginal muscles and allow for smoother
pregnancy. Kegal exercises strengthen your pelvic muscles, which become
weakened during childbirth. This could lead to bladder control problems.

To find the correct muscles to target, pretend that you are trying to
stop urinating. Squeeze those muscles for a few seconds and then relax.
Repeat this every few seconds. It's as simple as that. Nobody even has
to know that you're doing them. Just make sure you breathe while doing
the kegal exercises.

It's important that you don't overdo your kegel exercise in the first
few weeks after birth. Otherwise, you may become very sore. Three sets
of ten repetitions per day is probably ideal.

So, What are some other healthy exercises that can be performed during pregnancy? Some of
the best ones are listed below.

Swimming: Many doctors and fitness professionals profess that swimming
is the safest exercise for pregnant women. Swimming keeps your body
tone without stressing your joints. This is a safe cardiovascular
exercise that can help keep you toned throughout your pregnancy.

Walking: Walking is one of the best exercises overall and especially if
you are pregnant. It's safe for your body and it can keep you in great
shape. Be sure to stretch thoroughly before hand. Set attainable goals
and always wear good shoes.

Yoga: Yoga has a reputation for relieving the stress and pressure in
your body. Most forms of yoga are safe when you are pregnant as long as
you avoid the more rigorous ones. Some Yoga instructors even offer
special classes for pregnant women. While doing yoga, avoid lying flat
on your back and try not to over stretch.

With proper kegal exercise and safe cardiovascular workouts, you are well on your way to a healthy pregnancy.

GranMamma is the webmaster at the Baby Names Box - http://www.babynamebox.com - Where you can explore thousands of unique and unusual baby names. Read articles on parenting, family, home and gardening. Be sure to say hi to GranMamma!

Planning a Healthy Pregnancy

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Looking
for healthy lifestyle pregnancy information? Here are some steps for
planning a pregnancy with your healthy lifestyle in mind.

The
most important step in planning for a healthy pregnancy is getting you
healthy. This means quitting use of tobacco products, illegal drugs and
alcohol. Most doctors also advise limiting caffeine intake. A
pre-pregnancy physical exam is also vitally important. Your health
issues and medical history, as well as family history, will all have a
bearing on the health of your baby, so discuss these issues with your
doctor before conception. Your doctor may suggest a blood test to
screen for some types of genetic disorders, and a review of conditions
that may require special care during a pregnancy, like diabetes, should
be reviewed.

You should begin watching what you eat, remember,
your diet will be nourishing your baby too! Eat a balanced diet and
begin taking prenatal vitamins, especially folic acid, before you
conceive to make sure that the developing baby will be getting all the
nutrition it needs. Your doctor can prescribe these vitamins during
your pre-pregnancy exam. In addition to eating well, you should
exercise regularly and get plenty of rest. Although pregnancy is
usually a time of weight gain, try to manage your weight to avoid
complications like high blood pressure and diabetes during the
pregnancy. Making healthy eating a habit prior to conception will help
to control your weight gain.

Finally, it is important to evaluate
your surroundings for harmful substances. While pregnant and planning
to be pregnant, you should avoid lead, pesticides, x-rays and other
forms of radiation.

By planning for a healthy pregnancy, you can help your baby be healthy too!

Maria writes for Pregnancy Due Date, a site that tries to information for expectant mothers. For more great pregnancy articles, visit our Pregnancy articles archive.