Credits – @TreadMillReviewGuru
First Pregnancy Trimester
Credits – @TreadMillReviewGuru
Pregnancy checklist.
A baby is growing inside you, your body is changing, your hormones are jumping, and you are up for a great ride. There are plenty of things you can do to make this journey as safe and pleasurable as possible. Prepare for what’s about to come and prepare well. This pregnancy checklist will help you make your pregnancy fun, systematic and memorable:
Tips for the first trimester:
Take your prenatal vitamin and insurance for baby’s health:
As soon as you are overwhelmed by the news of pregnancy, start taking a prenatal vitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid. This reduces the risk of neural-tube defects. Do a good research options for securing your upcoming baby’s health. One such move towards good health of your baby would be preserving his umbilical cord blood stem cells. Click here to read more about cord blood basics, benefits and umbilical cord blood stem cell banking facilities in India. Get all these questions answered well in advance.
Choose your Ob/Gynec:
It is time to look for an ob-gyn. If you don’t have one already, look for factors like proximity from your house, insurance coverage and which practice will best suit your perfect birth experience. Once you have chosen, book an appointment.
Schedule a check-up and take the tests:
In addition to your physical check-up, around the 10th week you will have an ultrasound to check the baby’s heartbeat. Verify the due date with your ob/gyn.
During week 11 and 14, pregnancy screenings are given for pregnancy related plasma protein, HCG and blood tests that determine the risk of Down syndrome and trisomy. No matter what, you must take these tests between weeks 11-15.
Tips for the second trimester:
Enrol in a childbirth education class:
This is your 12-15th week of pregnancy, you must enrol in a childbirth education class. The class goes on for 6 to 12 weeks and ideally you would want to finish by your 37th week, in case you go into labour early. This class should cover the labour and birth process, also breathing and comfort measures.
Discuss your maternity leave and Set up the baby’s room:
If you are a working professional you will have to inform your Supervisor or Boss about your pregnancy on time. Discuss your maternity leave and all prospects of how work will be handled when you are gone. Once this is done, focus on setting up your baby’s room. Setting up your little one’s room along with planning the furniture can take quite some time. It is better to start now and occupy yourself with the best thing ever.
http://13.126.47.98/blog_/?tag=baby-room-decoration
Take a peek at your baby:
Around week 20, you will have an ultrasound. This is the time you check the growth of the baby and make sure all organs are developing properly. This is probably the time when you find out the sex of your little one.
The birth plan discussion and a babymoon:
Start discussing a birth plan with your partner and family members. Decide whom you want beside you during the birth of the baby. If you wish to go for a babymoon and are craving it, now is the best time to do it. Don’t push it, go for it.
Take the glucose screening:
During week 26-28, take the glucose screening to test for gestational diabetes.
Tips for the third trimester:
Start shopping and have a baby shower:
Start shopping for things you will need in the hospital like nursing bras, night gowns, baby clothes, diapers and wipes. Have your baby shower ideally two weeks before your due date so that you can shop for the things that didn’t come as gifts.
Choose a baby nurse and get help for the kitchen:
Interview and choose a nurse for your baby. Choose the best one as this person will be with your baby in their earliest days of life. Ensure to talk to your family and partner to get assistance with cooking and household chores, so that you can focus on the baby completely.
Choose a paediatrician and pack your hospital bag:
It is the perfect time to go scouting for the best paediatrician for your child. Do a good research and choose the best doctor, a one that your child will adore and like visiting. At the same time, start packing your hospital bag with all the essentials you and the baby will need. http://13.126.47.98/blog_/?p=595
Read up about breastfeeding:
If you intend to breastfeed which is best for the baby, get yourself completely prepared. Read up in depth about breastfeeding and also involve your partner in this learning. Do have a conversation with your doctor regarding the same as they will be able to give you the best tips.
Live this journey of your baby growing inside you with immense joy and positivity. While you enjoy the ride and keep yourself happy, don’t miss out on one time opportunity for preserving your baby’s cord blood stem cells, ensure that you take a presentation from reputed stem cell banks in India. Enjoy your pregnancy, relax and keep this pregnancy checklist with you through the 9 months, it’s sure to stand by you like a long lost friend!
Cord Blood Stem Cells a perfect cure for Leukemia
Cord Blood Banking allows you to preserve your newborn baby’s cord blood and use the stem cells found in it in future if a need arises. These stem cells can be used in the treatment of more than 80 diseased conditions. More conditions continue to be researched due to ever increasing stem cell preservation benefits.
What is Leukemia?
Leukemia is a cancer of blood cells, which involves multiplication of malignant White Blood Cells (WBCs). These abnormal cells do not function in the same way as normal WBCs, they continue to grow, divide and accumulate very quickly eventually crowding out the normal blood cells leading to difficulty in fighting infections, controlling bleeding, and transporting oxygen.
Symptoms
Tiredness, easy bruising, and susceptibility to infections are the major symptoms. Acute leukemia requires fast and aggressive treatment.
Prevalence of Leukemia in India
In low- and middle-income countries more than 250,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year have limited access to curative treatment, and only about 25% survive. An estimated 67,870 deaths have resulted from blood cancer in 2015. According to a report from National Cancer Registry Program (NCRP), in India cancer is the 9th common cause of death among children between 5 to 14 years of age.
Table 1: Childhood Cancer Incidence in India (AAR: Age-adjusted rates of incidence) (Data source: NCRP report)
Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplant – Cure for Leukemia
Normal blood cells develop from stem cells that have the potential to regenerate and form many cell types. Cord blood for transplants is collected from the umbilical cord after a newborn baby is delivered. The stem cells from this cord blood are extracted in a Cell Processing Centre and preserved in -196ᵒ C liquid nitrogen tanks for future use.
Stem cell transplants which use the patient’s own stem cells are called “autologous transplants”. One can even use donor stem cells, they may come from either a related or unrelated matched donor, and this is called an “allogeneic transplant”. Most transplant physicians would not want to use a baby’s own cord blood to treat his or her leukemia. This is because donor stem cells might better fight the leukemia than the child’s own stem cells. Considering the high prevalence of leukemia, cord blood stem cell preservation benefits and curative uses of cord blood stem cells, it is evident that cord blood stem cell banking is important. Babycell understands that every family should stand a chance to treat their children, to help such patients Babycell has a Sibling Program. In case you have a child diagnosed with a
blood disorder your next baby’s cord blood stem cells can be used to cure your child under this Babycell collects, processes and stores your upcoming child’s cord blood stem cells free of cost for 5 years. Due to stem cell preservation benefits and development in technology it can definitely create a healthier, disease free society. Expecting parents must ensure that they opt for cord blood stem cell banking of their upcoming baby as this is one time opportunity. Babycell achieved its ISO certification in the first year itself; by the second year of operations they received GMP, GLP and GCP certifications. Babycell also provides value added services like new born screening (NBS), CFU assay- to test the ability of stem cells to differentiate, HLA testing, Father’s wellness program and more.
Fast facts about childhood cancer and stem cell transplantation
- Cancer is the 9th common cause of death among children between 5 to 14 years of age in India
- More than 250,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year, Out of which there are 50,000 new childhood cancer cases in India Of these, 30-40% are leukemia and lymphomas, 20% are brain tumours and 1% retinoblastomas (eye cancer)
- Only about 25% survive as they have limited access to curative treatment
- An estimated 67,870 deaths have resulted from blood cancer in 2015
- Prevalence of childhood cancer has doubled in last one decade. In 2006 childhood cancers were 2.5% of the total number of cancer cases and today, they add up to 5.5%. Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai alone treats 2,000 new pediatric cancer cases annually.
Current Treatment for childhood cancer
- Current treatment options are surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy. These are expensive and a temporary solution with a chance of disease relapse.
- Often a combination of Chemotherapy and Stem Cell Transplantation offers a 100% cure for childhood cancers.
Stem Cell Transplantation
- A stem cell transplant can take a few days or months to complete. The process begins with treatment of high doses of chemotherapy, this treatment goes on for a week or two. Once it is successfully done, patient is allowed to rest for a few days
- Patient then receives the stem cells through an IV catheter. This process is like receiving a blood transfusion. It takes 1 to 5 hours to receive all the stem cells.
- After receiving the stem cells, patient is set for a recovery phase. During this time the stem cells received to start making new blood cells.
Till date 1 million stem cell transplants are done worldwide, more than 50% have been performed in children
Reference
- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Childhood-cancers-double-in-a-decade/articleshow/18411692.cms
- http://www.cankidsindia.org/incidence-of-childhood-cancer.html
- http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/stem-cell-transplant
Baby Bathing Tutorial and Tips
We are certain that your new – born is the reason behind your smiley face and you are all readied to take day and night care of your baby. In this hustle don’t forget to miss out on your baby’s bathing essentials.
Here’s a rundown of required items, products, and techniques.
- Bathing Supplies: First step in bathing your baby is to gather all the essential baby bathing supplies. So before you begin, make a concise list, which includes soft towel and clothes, mild shampoo and soap, moisturiser, powder and a clean diaper.
- Water: If the baby is not 4 weeks old then you don’t need to give bath in a tub. You can simply give a sponge bath. For babies more than 4 weeks: fill the water in small wide bucket with about 3inch of mild warm water.
- Baby Grip: Hold your baby gently with a proper grip. Never leave your baby in the water alone, it can panic him and there are chances that water might enter into his ear and eyes. You can gradually place the baby in the tub, supporting her/his head, neck and back.
- Use mild soap and shampoo: Too much use of soap and water can dry your babies’ skin. Focus while applying the soap and shampoo since it can easily contact with your baby’s eye. This can create burning and itching sensation of his eyes. Start washing her/her head/ face area and then move to other parts of the body. Routine wash is suggested to wash private parts of your baby.
- Post bath: Wrap your baby in a soft towel to pat him/her dry. Later, you can apply baby lotion and powder. Your baby is now decked up for the day.
End the bathing process by giving a warm hug.
Things to remember while bathing your baby:
Caution! Caution! Caution!
- Never attempt to leave your baby alone in the water or under running water. The water can really get deep and the baby might drown.
- Before you put your baby in the water do check the temperature of the water. Too hot water can give burns to your baby, luke warm water is always preferable.
- Never try giving your baby a really cold water bath. Because babies tend to get cold & hypothermia quickly.
Benefits of Soothing Music during Pregnancy!
Music is a solution to many problems. We celebrate our world by playing music. Music is a heart to heart language as it expresses a number of emotions without saying a single word. Have you ever thought that the baby in your womb can respond to soothing music? Sounds interesting right!
Playing music is an amazing way to connect with your unborn child. Wouldn’t you like to connect with your baby? We know the answer is obviously yes!
What kind of music you should listen to:
Remember that your unborn baby is still developing and playing loud music can disturb him/her. You can always go for classic, folk and instrumental music. As per researchers, soothing music will release tension and will relax you and your baby.
It is advised by the doctors that listening to music at high volume and keeping the headphones over your belly can be harmful for your baby.
Here are a few interesting effects of soothing music:
Brings Positivity: Music is the door to positivity. Sometimes pregnancy can get stressful and in such conditions, it affects your and baby’s health. To reduce the stress levels, moms can go for an easy way to calm herself by listening to music.
Lullaby after Birth: Researchers say that babies do remember the music you played before child delivery and it will act as a lullaby after birth. So it will be easy for you to soothe your baby after birth.
Sharp Intelligence Level: During the developing stage, the minds of the babies who listen to music react to sounds better and can lead to heightened intelligence.
Babycell’s soothing music CDs
Listen to Babycell’s soothing music soundtrack while you’re pregnant. We aim to give you a relaxing atmosphere with these soothing music genre. The CD contains a variety of soothing music like Carnatic India music, relaxing and calming music for childbirth, piano music for labour, relaxing harp music, English nursery rhymes, numbers songs, ABC songs and many more.
How to engage your little one with in-house activities during the monsoons!
After the scorching summers, the rains are a much-needed relief. Monsoons are fun! The refreshing smell in the air with the cool breeze, frogs croaking in the garden and butterflies are dancing in the lawn. While this is certainly something to cheer about, there is one problem! Babies and toddlers have to stay indoors. They can’t step out to play their usual evening games with their friends as parents are scared that they will catch infection during this time.
But let’s admit it. This season brings out the child inside anyone! Making paper boats and having competitions, warm cups of a chocolate milkshake or buying new colorful raincoats.
So make this season fun for your child as well. Here are different ways you can make your child’s most boring season, into something more joyful!
1] Art and craft:
Unleash your child’s creativity this monsoon. Let them explore their creative side. Get them innovative stationery like textured paper, colour pencils, crayons, etc. Teach them how to make items out of waste and old papers. It is also fun to try your hands on something imaginative. They will feel happy and encouraged. http://13.126.47.98/blog_/?p=401
2] Movie Time:
It’s also fun to watch some animated movies with some homemade popcorn and other snacks. Then why not enjoy the same with your child. Stack up few DVDs and snuggle up with your young one on the couch while watching fun baby movies like Baby’s Day Out or Heyy Baby. It will keep them occupied for a good amount of time and they will enjoy it too.
3] Cook together:
Some of our little one’s always enjoy pretending like they are the world’s best chefs. So, make their role play a real thing for them! It could be a family activity which you plan to do together and also at the same time teaching the young one something new. Teach them easy recipes like sandwich, salad or biscuit snackers which do not involve cooking with fire!
4] Card or Board Games:
Rains are the best time to get the cards and the board games outside. Instead of the child playing games alone on the tablets or the computer, the whole family can join in and play together! You can teach them games you played as a kid with your friends and family.
5] Story Time:
One of the best feelings in this pleasant climate is to sip hot coffee and read a book. So why not let your kids enjoy the same feeling? Indulge in some storytelling for your young one. You can get them animated and pictorial books to make it more interesting and fun for the child.
6] Water play at home:
Most parents don’t want to risk taking their child outside during the rains, but you can create the same environment for them inside the house, in a safer way. Set up an alternate water play at home. Collect some water in a tub or a bucket. They can make small paper boats and play inside the tub. This will keep them away from infection and make it enjoyable too!
Don’t let this season stop kids from having fun! Make it educational yet fun for them and something they will remember for a long time!
Stem Cell Banking and importance of HLA
Cord blood, which contains powerful stem cells, comes from a newborn’s umbilical cord and is collected immediately after birth. Once the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut, the remaining blood in the umbilical cord is drawn into a collection bag, which is then processed and preserved at -196 degree Celsius.
What makes cord blood cells different?
Cord blood stem cells are biologically younger and are more adaptable compared to adult stem cells from other sources like bone marrow. When saved, they have unique qualities and advantages:
| Comparison of Stem Cell Sources | Newborn | Adult | Embryonic |
| Ability to differentiate into various cell types | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| High proliferation capacity | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Low risk of tumor formation | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Low risk of viral contamination | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Capacity for autologous transplantation | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Established / proven treatment in human patients | ✓ | ✓ |
Stem cells can heal the body, promote recovery, and offer an enormous amount of therapeutic potential. Preserving cord blood stem cells “stops the clock” and protects the stem cells from aging and being exposed to environmental factors and common viruses that can decrease their function.
The effectiveness of cord blood stem cell therapy depends on many factors, with one of the most important being stem cell matching. Doctors determine stem cell matching based on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) markers. Passed down from parents to their children, these markers act like cell fingerprints, letting the immune system know which cells belong in the body and which cells are foreign to it. If a patient’s HLA markers exactly match those of the new stem cells being introduced, the patient’s body will readily accept the cells. If the HLA match is close but not perfect, chances are still favorable that the patient’s body will accept the cells. By storing cord blood from each child, parents can increase the chance of finding the best source for a match.
HLA means Human Leukocyte Antigens, which are found on the surface of various types of nucleated cells in the human body. In the human anatomy, they are akin to an “identity card”, inherited from one’s parents and could distinguish “self” and “nonself”, through which the wholeness of an individual can be maintained. Briefly, there are 6 HLA types: A, B, DQ and DR. Out of which A, B and DR play a critical role during cord blood transplants.A cord blood transplant is just as effective at curing patients with only a 4 out of 6 match (67% match) between donor and patient whereas for bone marrow transplant the patient and donor must match at all 6 parameters (100% match). The best potential for an HLA match is within the family. Each person inherits one A, B, DR antigen from each parent. Thus, we have 2 HLA-A antigens, 2 HLA-B antigens and 2 DR antigen which make up total 6 anitgens. In case of a Cord Blood Transplant 4/6 is a suitable match.
When an unrelated donor is sought the number of potential HLA combinations becomes so enormous that finding the patient’s exact HLA type may seem like searching for a needle in a haystack. HLA helps to understand the acceptance and recovery after transplantation on two factors
- Engraftment – Engraftment occurs when the donated cells that were transplanted begin to grow and make new cells.
- Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD)-A post-transplant complication, GVHD occurs when the immune cells from the cord blood (the graft) attack the patient’s own immune cells.
Considering the benefits of cord blood stem cells, need of stem cell banking and importance of HLA at the time of preservation, it is recommended for to-be parents to wisely choose a stem cell bank that provides HLA Typing service at the time of preservation. Saving your child’s cord blood is an investment towards your family’s future health; thus, its benefits cannot be measured in financial terms. However, if one must make economic justifications, the cost of storing cord blood and tissue pales in comparison to the many expenses associated with raising a child today, such as the cost of child care and education. The potential return on investment in stem cell banking is paramount as it can save the lives of your loved ones.
Umbilical cord blood banking in India is emerging at very high pace and parents are realizing the potential of cord blood in curing previously incurable diseases. To know more about stem cells and umbilical cord blood banking in India visit – www.babycell.in
Tests and Services To Look Out For While Opting For Stem Cell Banking
There are a number of things that need to be kept in mind while opting for stem cell banking such as cryopreservation facility, location, cost, collection and transportation facility. Over and above the basic services one must also ensure they choose a stem cell bank is transparency in providing the complete detailed reports of all the tests performed such as sterility, CD34 cell count, viability CFU, HLA Testing and more.
Stem cell banking benefits:
Storing these cells can help you treat over 80 diseases including cancers, blood disorders, and immune disorders. Stem cells also have the ability to rebuild cardiac tissue, repair damage due to stroke or spinal cord injuries, reverse the effects of diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and much more. As a result, cord blood banking is worth spending for. Below is a list of tests and services you must look for:
Sterility Test: Sterility Test detects any kind of aerobic and anaerobic microbial contamination in the cord blood and cord tissue. Helps to ensure micro-organism and contamination free cord blood and cord tissue which can be used in future transplantation.
Stem Cell Count: Stem cells happen to be Mono-Nuclear Cells or MNC: when you look at them under a microscope there is only one nucleus. Unfortunately, one of the most difficult aspects of stem cell biology is that you can’t identify a stem cell just by looking at it. There are other types of blood cells which are also MNC, such as nucleated red blood cells. The only proof that a cell is a stem cell comes from how it behaves when it multiplies. Stem Cell Count test is done to determine the number of stem cells in the isolated fraction of cord blood cells. Stem Cell Count aids the hematologist in determining the treatment plan for stem cell transplantation.
CFU: Stem cells have the ability to differentiate, but how do you evaluate this ability? The answer to this is CFU test. This test is a two-week lab test that lets you estimate the cell potency. In the CFU test a small portion is observed under controlled conditions to see if stem cells differentiate to form colonies. Earlier it used to be a subjective measure, but recently it has been standardized with technology to image the cells and count colonies in the image. During the test it takes 14 days for colonies to grow, therefore it is advised to perform the test at the time of preservation. As per US. Dept. of Health and Human Services and their prescribed guidelines CFU evaluation is a must at the tim
e of preservation as it determines potency, differentiation capacity and actual utility of stem cells. Babycell™ is the only stem cell bank in India that performs the CFU assay at the time of preservation and provides the test results along with client’s Cryopreservation Certificate.
HLA testing and its importance:
HLA means Human Leukocyte Antigens, which are found on the surface of various types of nucleated cells in the human body. In the human anatomy, they are akin to an “identity card”, inherited from one’s parents and could distinguish “self” and “nonself”. Briefly, there are 6 HLA types: A, B, DQ and DR. Out of which A, B and DR play a critical role during cord blood transplants. A cord blood transplant is just as effective at curing patients with only a 4 out of 6 match (67% match) between donor and patient.
The best potential for an HLA match is within the family. Each person inherits one A, B, DR antigen from each parent. Thus, we have 2 HLA-A antigens, 2 HLA-B antigens and 2 DR antigen which make up total 6 anitgens. In case of a Cord Blood Transplant 4/6 is a suitable match.
When an unrelated donor is sought the number of potential HLA combinations becomes so enormous that finding the patient’s exact HLA type may seem like searching for a needle in a haystack. HLA helps to understand the acceptance and recovery after transplantation on two factors
- Engraftment – Engraftment occurs when the donated cells that were transplanted begin to grow and make new cells.
- Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD)-A post-transplant complication, GVHD occurs when the immune cells from the cord blood (the graft) attack the patient’s own immune cells.
Haemoglobinopathy Test:
Haemoglobinopathy is a condition that involves an abnormality in the structure of haemoglobin. An investigation of a hemoglobin disorder typically involves tests that determine the types and amounts of hemoglobin present in a person’s sample of blood. Information from the test, along with results from routine tests such as a complete blood count (CBC) and blood smear, aid in establishing a diagnosis of Hemoglobinopathies.
With this test, you can detect the disorders and arrange a treatment accordingly.
So the next time you are looking for a reliable stem cell banking in India or anywhere in the world, keep the above services in mind. They will definitely help you choose the right stem cell banking service that lets you make the most for your loved ones.
To know more read –
- http://www.babycell.in/our-services/core-services.php
- http://parentsguidecordblood.org/en
A journey towards Fatherhood
Becoming a father is a life changing and beautiful experience in a man’s life. The journey will be full of ups and downs but it’s definitely a memorable one.
The most memorable moments include the time spent with the newborn baby, giving the baby a bath, cooking for your wife when she is busy taking care of the baby, clicking innumerable photographs of the baby and your family and changing the diapers as it’s fun activity that encourages baby bonding.
Here are a few easy ways that will guide you all to make your journey fun and easy –
1] Before Child’s Delivery –
When you come to know that you and your wife are expecting your first baby, you need to plan many things before the baby is born. Both the partners have to make sure that they raise their upcoming baby as a team and not at as individuals. The father always intend to plan the best for securing his baby’s future. One of the most important decisions that a couple takes for the baby before he/she is born is enrolling for stem cell banking. Check out the list of what you must look for in a stem cell bank – http://13.126.47.98/blog_/?cat=18. You can also read about benefits of cord blood banking on http://www.babycell.in/. Cord blood stem cells have a potential to cure over 80 diseases, parents must ensure cord blood preservation to protect baby and family.
Dads-to-be must ensure that they accompany their wives to every doctor’s appointment and should also keep a tab on the health of mother and baby. They can attend parenting classes to understanding child delivery, baby care and more.
2] During Child’s Delivery –
The moment your wife goes into labor instead of panicking, you have to make sure you are calm and supportive of her. Being calm during the delivery is a sign that you are off to a new start. Once your wife is in labor make sure that you have carried the cord blood collection kit box to collect the umbilical cord during the delivery and inform your cord blood bank to collect the cord post-delivery.
3] Post Child’s Delivery –
Once the baby is born a family is complete, but at the same time, the challenges tend to grow. It is really important for you to spend time with the baby. Even if you are working outside the house, once you are back home you should it make it a point to spend as much time with the baby as possible. Giving the baby a bath is very important for baby – daddy bonding since this helps the baby get used to the dad’s touch. It’s important for you to provide emotional support to your wife by giving her an assurance that you are always there for her. The husband and the wife should make sure that they change the baby’s nappies together as it is a fun activity for family bonding. J The best way to increase family bonding is doing a photoshoot together to frame memories of a lifetime with your new bundle of joy! To check for tips on spending time with your baby read – http://13.126.47.98/blog_/?p=709
Fatherhood is challenging, but your baby is always worth all the work!
