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Rina Cruz published in Cord Blood Banking, Expecting

Boy Started to Walk Five Months after Cord Blood Infusion

This is a real story from United States.

Ashton was born a healthy and normal baby until he became very sick with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pneumonia at six weeks old. The aggressive condition caused his heart to stop and nearly claimed his life. Even though the doctor managed to bring Ashton back to life, he developed cerebral palsy as there was a lack of oxygen flowing to his brain.

Ashton grew up with no ability to walk or even balance himself. Ashton’s father said, “Before Ashton was born, my wife brought this idea of saving his cord blood. She kept poking at me and said, ‘You know, we should save it, you never know when he might need it.” Luckily, because of his mom’s persistence, Ashton had his cord blood stored at birth.

Ashton’s cord blood was reinfused back into him through a simple IV procedure when he was five years old. Five months after the infusion, Ashton started to regain strength and balance. Soon after, he also started to walk without assistance.

“Before Ashton was born, we banked his cord blood, of course hoping he would never need it… but he did. I think it is the best thing for my son. To see him accomplishing everything that he is doing now, I attribute to the stem cells. I think everybody should look into it more often. If it has done this for my son, it could do it for everybody else. Look at him today,” said Ashton’s father.

 

This story is originally published on Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood Foundation. https://parentsguidecordblood.org/en/news/ashtons-cord-blood-story

Last accessed 9 April 2021.

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Rina Cruz published in Expecting, General Expecting, Health

Sensitive Teeth During Pregnancy

Pregnancy tends to come with some sort of pain or discomfort. It could be as minor as a sore throat, or as major as throbbing joint paints.

There should be no cause for alarm as these are all part of this challenging but exciting state of being pregnant. However, discomfort during pregnancy varies across different individuals, and in some, it may only come in form of sensitive teeth.

 

What is teeth sensitivity during pregnancy?

It’s a dental discomfort that occurs when the inner layer of your gum is exposed. When someone is suffering from this condition, they usually feel pain in the affected tooth or gum when consuming drinks.

There are many different causes of sensitive teeth. In the case of pregnancy, however, it’s usually due to the hormonal changes taking place across the body system.

 

Causes of Sensitive Teeth

As mentioned earlier, hormonal change is one of the major factors responsible for sensitive teeth during pregnancy. Other bodily changes experienced during pregnancy may also be a contributing factor, but what exactly are these bodily changes?

  1. Increased Blood Flow

During pregnancy, your body now has to take care of an additional entity in the form of your baby, which will lead to an increased metabolic rate. The increased blood flow make your tooth and gum become overly sensitive. Consumption of hot and cold food and beverages can accelerate the rate of this condition, even if you have no such episodes in your entire life.

  1. Hormonal Changes

Hormonal changes in your body may also lead to teeth sensitivity during pregnancy. The presence of pregnancy hormones limits your body’s responsiveness to bacteria, leading to a hypersensitive dental system.

  1. Gum Disease

Pregnant women are more vulnerable to gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis. These conditions can make your dentins more sensitive, leading to tooth sensitivity at its extreme.

  1. Diet

Craving is normal for pregnant women and may be hard to stop or control. This condition makes them vulnerable to eating many sugary and acidic foods, which have been shown to have a strong correlation to sensitive teeth during pregnancy.

 

How to Cure Sensitive Teeth

Sensitive teeth aren’t a permanent condition. If you experience any discomfort when you eat or drink, follow some tips from the experts to cure sensitive teeth.

Xerostomia or dry mouth is a catalyst for sensitive teeth. To avoid abnormal teeth sensitivity, drink enough water to prevent abnormal teeth dryness first.

Trying to limit the consumption of acidic and sugary foods in your diet can also help prevent sensitive teeth. You should also try to prevent cold beverages from making contact with your gums, as very low temperatures can trigger sensitivity.

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admin published in Expecting, General Expecting

5 Natural Remedies for Cold During Pregnancy

Catching a cold during pregnancy is not pleasant at all. Typically, pregnant women are not susceptible to cold because a woman’s immune system tends to get stronger during pregnancy. However,  sore throat and runny nose along with other symptoms of cold can occur and cause extreme discomfort during pregnancy. Although over-the-counter medications can relieve symptoms of cold, they are not considered safe in pregnancy. The best way to relieve your symptoms while ensuring your baby is safe is to use natural remedies

The following are 5 safe and natural remedies for cold during pregnancy:

1) Drink plenty of fluids and rest

Hydrating is one of the best natural remedies for cold during pregnancy. Fluids help to relieve nasal congestion and improve metabolic activity to enable the body to defend itself more effectively against the cold. Warm water, smoothies, or broth work just fine. You’ll also need plenty of rest to allow your body to recover. Try to sleep for at least 8 hours a night and take at least two 20-minute naps during the day. Adequate rest boosts the immune system, allowing your body to combat cold-causing bacteria and viruses.

2) Garlic

Garlic contains cold-fighting compounds that can help get rid of cold in pregnancy. It’s antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic properties make it an effective remedy for cold-causing bacteria and viruses. Simply take two cloves of fresh garlic with warm water in the morning or peel a clove and suck on it for 5 minutes. You can also cook your meals with crushed garlic for cold-relieving benefits.

3) Honey and lemon

Honey and lemon is an effective combination of relieving cold during pregnancy. Honey soothes the throat while lemon helps to bust up congestion. Add a teaspoon of honey and a tablespoon of lemon juice to a glass of warm water. The vitamin C in lemon juice boosts your immune system to help the body defend itself against cold during pregnancy.

4) Get a massage

An antenatal massage improves blood circulation in the body and relieves tension to help the body defend itself against the cold. Besides, it prompts the body to release endorphins that work to boost your immune system to help you fight off cold during pregnancy. A combination of peppermint, lavender, and thyme essential oils work best to alleviate the symptoms of cold.  The massage should be done by a therapist who is certified in antenatal massage. After the massage, be sure to drink more fluids to replenish what was lost during the massage.

5) Herbal steam

Herbal steam made with thyme, rosemary, and oregano can help to open a blocked nose. Pour hot water into a large bowl or basin and add dry herbs. Drape a towel over your head and breathe deeply in the steam for 10 minutes. Herbal steam packs an anti-viral and antibacterial punch, and the hot water helps to release potent oils that relieve nasal congestion.

Should the cold symptoms persist, you should talk to a doctor as soon as possible for proper medication.

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admin published in Expecting, Health

Breast Pain During Pregnancy

Breast pain can be normal during pregnancy. It’s one of those numerous changes a woman’s body goes through when she is pregnant. Hormonal changes are the leading causes of breast pain in pregnant women. The intensity of breast pain during pregnancy varies from one woman to another. You may feel it in one or both breasts, at a specific spot or all over, or moving towards your underarm. Breast pain may also be permanent or intermittent – coming and going away at intervals.

Breast pain can happen at any time during pregnancy but it’s most common during the first trimester as a result of sudden hormonal changes. This assertion can be backed by the fact that immediately after conception, your body starts preparing for breastfeeding by releasing large quantities of pregnancy hormones, including progesterone, estrogen and prolactin. These hormones cause additional blood flow to the chest, thereby resulting in bigger milk ducts, as well as extra fluids, tissue, and fat which could all cause breast pain.

During the first week of pregnancy, most women experience sensitive breasts which makes sex play and exercising difficult for them. The nipples are particularly very sensitive and tender in the early weeks of pregnancy. It is also not uncommon to experience a tingling sensation in the nipples and areolas during the first trimester. However, as the pregnancy advances, most women start experiencing heaviness and fullness in their breasts.

While breast pain can be normal during pregnancy, it could also be as a result of other conditions such as fibrocystic breast changes, the effects of certain medications and in extremely rare cases, breast cancer. You should therefore consult with your doctor if you start experiencing symptoms such as life-disrupting breast pain, nipple discharge, as well as redness, pus or fever.

Breast pain during pregnancy hardly requires treatment as it often goes away at some point in the pregnancy, a few weeks after childbirth or after lactating. However, it is with utmost importance for you to make lifestyle changes that will ease your breast pain during pregnancy. For example, you should consider ditching lacy underwire bras for full coverage cotton bras with wider shoulder straps. You should also consider wearing sports bras to bed if bed movements are irritating to your tender breasts and nipples.  Adding breast pads to protect your breasts, applying frozen gel or ice packs and taking warm soothing showers can also go a long way to relieve breast pain, swelling and tenderness during pregnancy.

If all these interventions fail, you could discuss with your doctor for medical interventions to ease the pain.

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admin published in Expecting, General Expecting

Is It Normal To Feel Itchy During Pregnancy?

Many pregnant women may be familiar with nausea and vomiting, but not itchiness. Well, the truth is itching is quite common amongst pregnant woman. Although the real cause of itching during pregnancy is not yet known, there are indications that it could be caused by raised levels of pregnancy hormones. Besides, when the bump grows, the skin of the abdomen stretches and could result in itching. It is worth noting that itching is common during pregnancy and there is a need to get checked by a healthcare professional if it becomes severe.

 

That said, the general causes of itching during pregnancy include;

 

Dryness: Some pregnant women suffer from dryness which is characterized by itchy flaky dry skin;

Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes are a natural part of pregnancy. However, they often result in many unpleasant side effects such as mood swings, nausea and even itchiness;

Fabrics and perfumes: Some pregnant women can be irritated by certain materials and chemicals to the extent that their skin begins itching;

Cholestasis: Sometimes, itching during pregnancy is a symptom of cholestasis, a liver disorder that causes the buildup of acid bile in the blood;

Prurigo: Pregnant women may also suffer from prurigo. They are itchy crusty bumps that often appear on the legs, arms and abdomen during the third trimester of pregnancy;

Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP):  This condition is characterized by an itchy rash that occurs around stretch marks during pregnancy.

 

Slight itchiness during pregnancy may be considered normal. However, intense itching on areas of the body such as the arms, legs and abdomen may indicate a serious problem that needs treatment. Of course, some pregnant women may also experience vaginal itching that could require treatment.

 

Inasmuch as itching during pregnancy may be considered normal, it’s generally not an early symptom of pregnancy. Therefore, any intense and prolonged itching during the course of pregnancy should be reported to your doctor.

 

Just as there are several potential causes of itchiness during pregnancy, there are equally several natural remedies to prevent it. For instance, wearing loose clothes made with natural fabrics and changing your perfumes or detergents are some of the ways to prevent itchiness during pregnancy. Drinking enough water and using a moisturizer to ease skin dryness will also minimize itching during pregnancy.

 

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admin published in Cord Blood Banking, Expecting

Promising Results for Children with Autism

This is a real story from the United States.

5-year old boy, Blake, is finally able to play normally with his sister after participating in the innovative stem cell clinical trial in the Duke University. Blake was a “unique” child since birth and he had delayed motor skills and speeches. Later, he was diagnosed with autism on his third birthday.

Thankfully, he was enrolled successfully in Duke University clinical trial on treating autism with cord blood stem cells. Now, Blake’s family is grateful that he has had remarkable behavioral and speech progress after receiving his own cord blood stem cells in the clinical trial. He is more sociable than before.

“The first phase of the clinical trial has completed and showed that 70% of our children have improvements after getting their own cord blood”, said Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg, one of the pioneers who uses cord blood for transplantation. She is also a renowned pioneer in using cord blood stem cells for regenerative medicine for cerebral palsy, autism and other brain injuries.

This story is originally published on NBCUniversal Media.

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/duke-univ-research-offers-hope-for-autism-spectrum-disorder/270825/
Last accessed 9 April 2021.

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admin published in Cord Blood Banking, Expecting

Stem Cell Therapy Helped My Son

This is a real story from the United States.

13-year-old Colt was born prematurely at 24 weeks of gestation and he was subsequently diagnosed with cerebral palsy and autism. Although Colt was not severely handicapped, he had persistent deficits such as extreme sensitivity to sensory overload.

When the family’s second child was born a few years later, Colt’s parents wanted to enroll him in a Duke University clinical trial with his sibling’s cord blood. Sadly, Colt was too old by then to be accepted into the trial so his parents continued to search for other options.

After learning more about stem cell therapy from a book by Dr. Neil Riordan, Stem Cell Therapy: How Stem Cells are Disrupting Medicine and Transforming Lives: A Rising Tide, Colt’s parents decided to bring him to Panama Stem Cell Institute for intravenous infusions of mesenchymal stromal cells derived from umbilical cord tissue. Colt was 11 by then.

Both Colt’s expressive and receptive language showed a 35% improvement after the first trip. He no longer has the balance or sensory sensitivities issue. He can now ride a bike without training wheels and has gained sense of self-awareness and self-confidence.

This story is originally published on Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood Foundation. https://parentsguidecordblood.org/en/news/cord-tissue-msc-helped-my-adolescent-son

Last accessed 9 April 2021.

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admin published in Expecting, Lifestyle

Why Do You Deserve a Babymoon

Pregnancy comes with tons of emotions including anxiety, joy and nervousness that can be overwhelming. It’s ok to make your pregnancy as memorable as possible because it doesn’t happen too often. While many women take the time to plan for their baby showers and gender reveal parties, others invest their energy in planning a beautiful babymoon.

A babymoon is a special vacation pregnant women take to experience a beautiful moment. A babymoon is similar to a honeymoon, but as honeymoon happens immediately after marriage, a babymoon happens during pregnancy.

You can go on a babymoon to any destination of your choice and with whomever you feel comfortable sharing those moments with. But consider limiting your babymoon vacations to places that are safe and healthy for you and your crew. Also, ensure that you do not do strenuous physical activities like hiking or mountain climbing while you are on your babymoon. Such activities may take a toll on your health. It’s also preferable to go on a babymoon when you are in the second trimester of your pregnancy because for most women, it’s the easiest phase of their pregnancy, with little to no morning sickness.

There are many exciting reasons to go on a babymoon. First of all, it’s a special time to bond with your unborn child and maybe your partner. Let’s be honest, having a new baby can eat deep into your income and schedule, making it difficult for you to plan a getaway. A babymoon is therefore a perfect opportunity to spend quality time with your partner or anyone you cherish while anticipating the arrival of your baby.

Going for a babymoon will also make it possible for you to relax. After all, it’s a vacation where you leave everything, primarily work, and just focus on yourself. Such a vacation will give you ample time to relax while preparing for all the challenges that lie in front of you especially if you are a first-time mom. You will probably return from your babymoon more energized and prepared for motherhood.

Above all, a babymoon is also an opportunity for adventures. Consider it an opportunity to discover new places or visit your dream destination.

Remember there is no particular way of enjoying a babymoon, so plan it however you want, as long as you are taking your health condition and your unborn baby into consideration.

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admin published in Expecting, Lifestyle

How to Choose A Baby Stroller

A stroller is one of those baby accessories that can make parenthood easy for you. It can make all the difference in the ease with which you and your baby go about your outdoor life, irrespective of whether you are shopping at the mall or just taking a walk in the park. Just like with other baby accessories, strollers are available in different forms including convertible strollers, jogging strollers, umbrella strollers, double strollers and many more. When choosing a stroller, you shouldn’t only focus on what looks visually appealing to you, but choose one that best suits your family lifestyle. When choosing a baby stroller try considering the things mentioned below.

Ease of use
One of the major things you should take into consideration when buying a stroller is how easy it is to use. The wheels of a stroller are particularly crucial to its functionality as it’s used to transport your baby from one place to another. Strollers with larger wheels are easier to use since they can roll smoothly on rough terrain.

Size of a stroller
Some strollers are relatively small while others can be really big. It is therefore important for you to decide if you want a small or a big stroller. Big strollers are recommended to keep your child comfortable as long as they are easy to use and fit perfectly with your kind of activities. For example, ensure that the stroller you choose can fit in the public bus that you board most times. Moreover, the size of your stroller could also depend on the number of children you have. For example, you could opt for a double stroller if you have a set of twins or two toddlers that still require non-stop attention whenever you are out of your house.

Storage capacity
The storage capacity of a stroller is another crucial point to take into consideration when choosing it. As a parent, it’s practically impossible to carry along only your baby whenever you are going out. You need to take other items alongside such as snacks, extra clothes, diapers, water and every other thing that makes your baby comfortable while you are outside. Sometimes, you may also need space to put your personal belongings or items bought from shopping. This is why you need to choose a stroller that has enough storage space at the bottom that can hold your baby items and groceries.

Important accessories
Above all, you should be able to settle for a stroller that comes with other important accessories such as a snack tray, stroller bags, and rain covers. Most strollers with such useful accessories can be expensive but they are indeed worth it.

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admin published in Lifestyle, Parenting

6 Things to Know About Your Pisces Baby

The traits of babies vary from one another based on their zodiac sign. The same goes for a Pisces baby who possesses distinctive traits. These babies are renowned to be intuitive, creative, and vulnerable. They also have a good imagination. Keep on reading this article to know more about your Pisces baby.

1. They are enthusiastic
Once the Pisces baby has decided to do something, he or she will remain passionate to accomplish it. Your Pisces baby will not require any outside motivation to fulfill his/her needs. They are their own leaders when it’s about doing their favorite thing. They fully focus on their work to complete it well on time.

2. They are compassionate and good-hearted
Pisces kids are kind-hearted and you often find them helping other children in the playground who are being hurt or bullied. They will try their best to help those children feel better. When grown-up, they will likely fight for the rights of other people. Prefer giving them extra care in the form of cuddles, encouragement, and kisses so that they can feel good.

3. They like to have some alone time
Pisces are creative buddies and of course, they need their space and time for it. Prefer creating some space in your home to let them read or write whatever they want. This space will be healthy for your baby’s mind. Don’t be worried if your baby separates himself from a group to do something creative. You can construct a small desk for your Pisces baby to place his personal creations. This will definitely excite him and boost his creativity.

4. They have excellent imagination
Pisces buddies will live in dreams and fantasies. They have artistic nature that makes them very creative. They can create their own stories and are great storytellers. Listen to their stories and encourage them to boost their creativity. They also do well with crafts and art. Prefer buying them building blocks, drawing books, and toys to further improve their creativity.

5. They can quickly trust
Pisces babies can easily trust other people. It’s a good thing and can help build healthy relationships. However, it can be alarming for your kid when people have bad intentions. Give time to your child to make him aware of the troublesome situations.

6. They are generous
Pisces kids love helping others and don’t expect any favors in return. They will take good care of all family members. They are kind-hearted and generous souls. Their emotional maturity is fantastic. They don’t act or speak like other kids of the same age.

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admin published in Lifestyle, Parenting

6 Things to Know About Your Sagittarius Baby

Sagittarius babies love exploring the outside world. They love gaining knowledge and learning new things around them. They are intelligent and witty. If you want to know more about your Sagittarius baby, then keep reading this article. As a parent, it’s important to know about the traits of your baby and if your baby is Sagittarius then you are on the right article. Here are 6 things to know about your Sagittarius baby.

1. They are intelligent and sharp
Sagittarius babies are much smart and intelligent. They love adopting new hobbies and learning new things. They enjoy taking interest in new things. Don’t be shocked if your baby has learned the numbers and alphabets super fast as it is a part of their personality.

2. They are creative
Don’t be afraid to leave your Sagittarius baby alone in the room as he or she is born with imaginative capabilities. A Sagittarius baby has a passionate imagination and often thinks of abstract scenarios and makes imaginary friends. Also, he or she is inclined towards daydreaming.

3. They dislike rules
Sagittarius kids hate regulations and rules as they are free spirits. They don’t tolerate senseless punishments, so you have to deal with them sensibly to implement some rules. Sagittarius babies often listen to their minds and don’t like obeying the orders of others. Your kid may dislike rules or orders, but that doesn’t mean he/she will not obey them, you only need to be innovative.

4. They adore travelling
Sagittarius children don’t like staying at one location because of their impatient nature. So, expect your Sagittarius baby to be with you while going to the park, grocery store, or shopping mall. You will see how smoothly things will please your baby. He/she will collect twigs and pebbles to play with them, giggle at sparkling lights, and feel the variation in colors when out with you.

5. They are optimistic and confident
Another key trait of a Sagittarius baby is optimism. In most cases, your Sagittarius baby will not give up even if he or she loses a game or fails to solve a puzzle. Your baby will keep trying until he/she gets successful. Sagittarius babies are confident enough to handle things themselves. Just give them a task and they will try their best to complete it.

6. They are bad at handling money
Sagittarius babies are not good at handling their money. Their carelessness with finances comes from their fiery and impulsive nature. While learning and obtaining more knowledge, your kid may spend a lot of money.

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admin published in Lifestyle, Parenting

6 Things to Know About Your Libra Baby

Libra’s baby is sweet and charming. They possess a balanced temperament. Unlike other kids, they love peace and don’t do any kind of crazy stuff. There are a lot of other aspects of Libra babies that you would want to know. Here we are sharing 6 things about Libra babies that can give you a little bit of insight into Libra baby.

1. They are social
Libra people have charming and friendly personalities. They love to do fun so what better way to have fun than being with your friends. Libra babies tend to be involved in social gatherings, activities and become popular from an early age. Their charming personality makes them likeable and easy-going, so any social event is a treat to them. They get along with everyone and enjoy themselves.

2. They are friendly
Since Libra babies are social, making friends is definitely their cup of tea. Put your Libra baby in any room and he or she will make friends instantly. Whether it is their school, daycare, party or a summer camp, they will build up a companionship with everyone around them. Although they have a small circle of friends, but they get along with other people as well.

3. They have a balanced temperament
The zodiac Libra sign is sign of scales—a symbol of balance so you would expect them to have the same ability. Well, that is true because they have a nice way to balance things in their life. As they grow up, they tend to make plans to study and set up playtime separately. They tend to balance things out but if things don’t go in their way, they don’t get disappointed by setbacks.

4. They are peaceful
Librans kids prefer to have peace in their life. They don’t get involved in fights and remain calm in every situation. It is their nature that they don’t fall off the wagon and go crazy with fists and bumps. They even try to avoid conflicts from an early age. So, among friends, they stay neutral.

5. They tend to be polite
With charming personalities and a good sense of humor, they tend to be polite. They are truly prized kids. Even if they don’t like something, they won’t say any bad thing but get aside and allow the others to do their work. Being peace lovers, so they would prefer to please everyone around you. But nobody is polite always, sometimes anger takes over, but Librans tend to stay silent even when they are mad.

6. They love attention
Libra babies love the attention. Being the sociable kind, they have this urge of pleasing everyone and this is how they get attention.

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