Cord Blood Developments

Caesar Sant is something of a childhood prodigy. He started playing the violin at two years old, and amazed his instructors with his prowess on the stringed instrument. At four, he could do third-grade math and speak six languages. By five, however, the sickle cell disease, which he had been diagnosed with at birth, was taking its toll. Caesar suffered three strokes, and the last had left him unable to play the violin or even walk.

Most researchers and moms would agree that there is no cure-all for stretch marks, but there is some clinical evidence available that shows the signs of stretch marks can be reduced. Let’s take a look at stretch marks, what causes them and how we could possibly minimize their effects.

Regular pre-natal examinations are a priority during any pregnancy. Here's the visit schedule you can most often expect for a low-risk, term pregnancy. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, develop complications, or are a teen, you may require more frequent visits.

The big day. It is a little scary. But, as they say, with little bit of work here and there, you should be well prepared. Let’s look at what you can do to get ready for labor and delivery and the birth of your baby:

Whether you are becoming a first-time parent or growing your family, now is the time to focus on yourself for the betterment of the little bundle growing within. Pregnancy is the first step toward a very different life and it begins with a whole host of restrictions and dos and don'ts. These includes what foods to eat and what foods to avoid, how to exercise properly, common bodily discomforts you may experience, what medications are safe to take and which ones are not, and other questions you may have about activities in which you can partake.

A stem cell transplant, or immune system reconstitution, is used to replace maligned cells or invigorate the system’s production of new healthy cells. This may be needed when someone undergoes radiotherapy or chemotherapy to treat a cancer of their blood or immune system or when the person has blood or immune system deficiency. In addition to renewing healthy cells into the body, in some cases, the transplanted cells can attack the cancer or malignancy itself.

Group B streptococcus (group B strep, or GBS) is a type of bacterium that a pregnant woman may be carrying and that could ultimately be transferred to the baby during delivery. Up to 40 percent of pregnant women carry Strep B bacteria, which can come and go without symptoms from a person’s body. Newborns are at an increased risk for group B strep disease when the mother is found to have GBS colonization.

There are a number of clinical trials and scientific studies underway testing the effectiveness of cord blood and cord tissue in the treatment of various conditions. The various kinds and phases of these studies can be a bit confusing but, basically, show progress toward full FDA approval. Here's your Cliff’s notes on clinical trials:

The glucose tolerance test takes approx. one hour and is performed between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. If you have risk factors for gestational diabetes, the test may be performed in the first trimester. The glucose tolerance test is done to evaluate your body's ability to process sugars during pregnancy. Listed below are the proper steps and precautions that need to be taken in order to ensure the test results are valid.

From Peyton Manning reportedly flying to Germany in 2011 for a bulging disk in his neck to Drew Pomeranz receiving an injection in his elbow earlier this year, many have been taking leaps of faith with stem cells treatments outside approved channels. And controversy has followed.