Faced with pregnancy, are you? Don’t you think you need to know the facts about pregnancy? Whatever we know about it is as good as nothing as the 9-month long period of pregnancy never fails to surprise us. We can never be fully prepared to face it as the symptoms are as various as the women themselves. No two women face the same pregnancy symptoms. Even the same woman has totally different symptoms at her different pregnancies. Pregnancy symptoms overlap with other illnesses, hence create confusion. Yet this confusion slowly gives way to nature’s mysterious and most valuable gift, life itself, albeit in miniature form, growing up from day one.

To be able to welcome the tiny bundle of ever increasing joy in your arms, you need to take care of your health. Sorry, I mean, your pregnancy health. It is not as simple as eating for two. The growth of a fetus inside your body is a true marvel of nature. You shall get acquainted with this marvel only over the months. But then, it affects your health in more ways than one and in turn, gets affected too. The crucial factors may or may not be within your control. For example, your genetic make up and your family history are factors beyond your control. But certainly you can monitor your stress levels. You must attempt to maintain a sunny disposition to pull through the uncomfortable phases. Along with keeping a positive outlook, you need to keep a close watch on your physical and emotional health. Maintain a balance between rest and exercise. Avoid stress but at the same time engage in physical activity as well. Eat healthy foods, avoid drugs, caffeine and nicotine. Be in constant touch with your doctor. I am sure you shall sail through childbirth labor smoothly.

The forty week long period of pregnancy is unique in more ways than one. The whole experience is essentially bittersweet. But overall it is unique in its essentially positive stance. The curiosity about the unknown, the excitement and associated joy around you, and the sense of bonding with the unborn child, all add up to make it a never before experience. However, advanced medical technology has added another dimension to its uniqueness.

With proper planning, only at the time of childbirth labor, you can give a unique gift to your young one. This is not only a never before but also a never after opportunity. This is the only one of its kind opportunity to bank your baby’s cord blood for future use.

Cord blood banking is a relatively new field. At the time of delivery blood is extracted from the cord that connects the placenta to the tiny baby for supplying essential nutrients.

This blood is sent to the cord blood bank, where stem cells are harvested. These stem cells are crucially helpful if God forbid, the child falls seriously ill, say with cancer. Stem cells eliminate the need for bone marrow transplant. Some other serious illnesses are easily treated with the help of stem cells.

The technology is still in its very early stages, hence is not available everywhere. Secondly, it does cost a substantial amount. Lastly, as of now, it is too early to pronounce a judgment on its efficacy.

The possibilities that such a field of research opens up are exciting. In future, treating serious illnesses like leukemia would become possible. Public awareness helps in continuing the research and making a success of it.