The Pregnancy Pantry

  • Home
  • My Mission
  • Navigating a plant based pregnancy
    • Plant Based Pregnancy
    • The Importance of Folic Acid During Pregnancy
    • Vitamin D Needs During Pregnancy
    • Iodine and Zinc and their role in pregnancy
    • Why Do we Need Calcium?
    • Where can we get our essential Omega Fatty Acids from?
    • How much Iron do we need during pregnancy?
    • The importance of protein – how to ensure we get sufficient amounts during a plant based pregnancy.
    • Importance of Fibre Throughout Pregnancy
  • Smoothies & Juices
  • Freebies and Downloads
  • Latest Posts
  • Lets Connect
Health

Cord Blood Banking – Making the decision to bank your baby’s cord blood.

by
The Pregnancy Pantry
Cord Blood Banking – Making the decision to bank your baby’s cord blood.

I was contacted by Cells 4 Life the experts in stem cell processing a couple of months ago regarding an article on Cord Blood Banking.  As a writer, the general rule of thumb is to either write about what you know or write about something you have an interest in and in the case of cord blood banking, this is the latter. As someone who spends their day writing articles on pregnancy, I jumped at this opportunity.  During both my previous pregnancies going back to 2012 and 2016 I was vaguely aware of the ability that stem cells have, to not only improve lives but to save millions of lives too.  

However, I’ll be honest; at that time in my life it just wasn’t something I put a lot of thought into.    

The journalist in me thrives on research and thorough investigation and writing an article on a subject I have little to no personal familiarity with has been not only enlightening but educational as well. 

It has also forced me to delve deep into my own personal feelings and assess the decision I made six years ago, knowing I can never go back in time and change my mind.  It is a decision I will have to live with and one in which I hope I never live to regret.  

This post has also given me greater insight and to open my eyes even further into the miracle that is the human body.

Stem Cells

Let’s talk a little about stem cells first.  Stem cells can heal, replace and regenerate tissues within the human body and when a tissues function has been lost or destroyed by either illness or injury, stem cells can repair the damaged tissues function.   The truly remarkable thing about stem cells is their ever-advancing proficiency to become any cell within the human body-whether that be blood, muscle, nerve, cartilage and so much more, working in harmony to aid the body in repairing itself. 

Stem cells were discovered in the late 17th century and since then the medical world has progressed at an alarming rate beyond all recognition, with the first ever cell transplant taking place in New York in 1950.

Since the very beginning of this ground-breaking innovation, stem cells have been used in over a million transplants worldwide, being used in the daily treatment of a wide range of immune diseases.

“Not only have stem cells been used to save thousands of lives since 1956, they are now considered to be the future of medicine” Extract from Cells 4 Life Parents Guide to Cord Blood Banking

The concept of cord blood stem cells was first introduced by the world-renowned Dr Hal Broxmeyer, whom in 1988 used cord blood to save the life of a five-year-old boy suffering with the rare genetic disease Fanconi Anaemia which, causes an impaired response to DNA damage and since then cord blood has been used in almost 40,000 transplants.

So, what is it about the blood in our baby’s umbilical cord that makes it so unbelievably special?

The stem cells that are taken from the umbilical cord are the most efficient and effective cells available to us and they have the capacity to differentiate themselves into the widest range of stem cell types. Because they are genetically matched to your baby, they have the means to replace any cells that are damaged or injured without the risk of rejection and any long-term impediments.

Upon looking into this further I came across some staggering statistics, for example, did you know that in the US alone there are almost 125,000 people currently waiting for lifesaving organ transplants and of those, 100,000 are for kidney transplants.   It’s insane for me to visualise that over 3000 new patients are added to that list every day or to put it another way – 1 person every 14 minutes. 

8000 of those patients will become too ill or sadly die waiting to receive a transplant and for those who are fortunate enough to find a matched donor, 20% of those transplants will fail within five years.

It’s an awful statistic to comprehend and as a parent, I have at times had those thoughts that enter my mind when I’m tried stressed and my kids are ill with a stomach bug where I wonder ‘ what if this isn’t just a stomach bug’

The thought that one day my children may develop an illness whereby they need a transplant, whether that be an organ transplant or a bone marrow transplant is a thought that is too hard to abide and I am thankful every day that my children are healthy, but lately I have encountered two friends whose children are battling life threatening illnesses and I don’t know how the parents of sick children find the strength to remain strong and positive in such heart wrenching adversity.

We didn’t bank our children’s cord blood but there is a huge part of me that now regrets that decision. Of course I wish nothing more that it will never be needed, although shall I ever be faced with the agonising news that my child is ill and requires some form of stem cell replacement, I know I will struggle with that decision for the rest of my life.

To know that there is a 1 in 4 chance that a child’s cord blood stem cells can be a match for their brother or sister, and to know if I had made that decision, my baby’s cord blood stem cells may be waiting and ready for release shall they or their sibling ever need them.

Every year we spend thousands of pounds on life insurance, car insurance, holiday insurance, wedding insurance and dental insurance and every year, thankfully  many of us will not need to cash our policies in, but we will not dream of getting in a car and driving without insurance or travelling without holiday insurance.

Yet, let’s call it ‘biological insurance’ this is an insurance that for some reason we tend to over-look.

From the research I’ve carried out to produce this post; I have seen figures bouncing around from £2000-£3000 for private banking facilities.  This sum is for not only the collection of blood but for the testing of blood and then from what I have seen there is an approximate figure of £100 annually to store that blood. 

I currently pay £ 30.00 a month in car insurance and let’s say I continue to drive for the next thirty years, plus taking into account the constant hike in my premium year on year, I will be forking out roughly £15,000 in car insurance and in the twenty years I’ve been driving already, I have only ever made one claim. 

It’s a crap analogy I know, in comparison to the subject of a life-threatening illness of one of our children but for me this really hit home.

Have I missed a crucial opportunity to insure my child’s health and life shall they ever need a stem cell transplant because of a blood cancer, bone marrow failure or the countless other metabolic diseases they may development during their lifetime?

In 40 years maybe when all mothers and fathers do not have to make the decision and it’s a standard practice to bank the cord blood of our baby’s, when I’m long gone and my grown up children or their children need treatment, will my children wonder why we didn’t make that decision. I guess it’s one I will need to live with and hope and pray it never happens.

With the life expectancy rising, there is a high probability that our babies could be the first generation to live beyond a hundred. Currently there are 6500 clinical trials investigating the use of stem cells in regeneration therapy to treat a vast range of diseases – conditions that may not even begin until our children are in their later years, Alzheimer’s, stroke, diabetes, cancers all conditions we hear about daily and for all of us know someone with one of these conditions now.

In forty years’, time, the cord blood we bank today could help eradicate or treat these diseases.

I don’t want this post to be one of alarm and panic and in no way is it aimed at trying to get any of my pregnant followers to run out and sign up to anything, its down to each individual to carry out their own due diligence, weigh up the costs and make a decision that is right for them. I do, however, think that if I had carried out my own research, I may have made a different decision.

In an ideal world I’d like to see this service offered to everyone on the NHS, however we don’t live in an ideal world do we.  For those that make the decision not to bank their baby’s cord blood, those stems cells can still be donated free of charge to public cord banking centres and those stem cells will be used to go on to save thousands of lives. 

I can’t speak for the information readily available to expectant parents now, but during my pregnancy I would have liked to have seen the information available, to have had access to leaflets and brochures in my maternity packs and to have had at least the options presented to me about my baby’s cord blood and the choices available to either bank or donate to a public centre if I had chosen to do so.

Cells 4 Life is the UK’s number one private centre and one of the longest serving cord blood banks in Europe. Find out everything you need to know about stem cell banking. Compare  Cells 4 Life with other private cord blood banks in the UK and find out why they stand out from the rest.

Share the Love
error
fb-share-icon
Tweet
fb-share-icon

Related


Related Posts

When Breastfeeding Doesn’t go to Plan

When Breastfeeding Doesn’t go to Plan

Nothing evokes more emotion; whether that be joy, love, anger, guilt or disappointment than the subject of breastfeeding and because its World Breast Feeding Week I wanted to write a post on a subject that resonates so much with me and my path into motherhood. For […]

Hospital Bag Essential Check List

Hospital Bag Essential Check List

The best bit of advise I can  give this week is to pack your hospital bag well in advance. Anywhere from 32 weeks onward is sound advice. With my daughter I hadn’t packed anything and my waters broke at 34 weeks – cue mindless panic […]

Why You Need a Babymoon

Why You Need a Babymoon

Because the sun has been shining lately – naturally that got me thinking about holidays and because I’m constantly thinking about all things pregnancy related that got me thinking about ‘babymoons’. When I was five months pregnant with our first child my husband and I […]


Pitfalls of a Summer Pregnancy
Digestive Boosting Granola

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

The Pregnancy Pantry

Join our tribe today and join hundreds of like minded plant based mama's to be.

Get the latest recipes and healthy tips delivered straight to your inbox! 

Never miss a recipe and receive updates on the latest offers, freebies and more. 

By signing up you'll be receiving, hints and tips, guidance, recipes our latest posts and more.  I've never eaten spam; so I can promise you your inbox won't either. 

We value your privacy and will always ensure your personal details are kept safe. You can unsubscribe anytime. 

For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

.

TRENDING ON THE PREGNANCY PANTRY RIGHT NOW

  • Chocolate Protein Smoothie
    Chocolate Protein Smoothie
  • Digestive Boosting Granola
    Digestive Boosting Granola
  • High Fiber Berry Blast
    High Fiber Berry Blast
  • Carrot and Ginger Tonic
    Carrot and Ginger Tonic
  • High Folate Foods for Pregnancy
    High Folate Foods for Pregnancy
  • If you like Piña Coladas and getting caught in the rain
    If you like Piña Coladas and getting caught in the rain
  • Beetroot Brownies
    Beetroot Brownies
  • When Breastfeeding Doesn't go to Plan
    When Breastfeeding Doesn't go to Plan
  • Mean Green Super Charge Juice
    Mean Green Super Charge Juice
  • Cord Blood Banking - Making the decision to bank your baby's cord blood.
    Cord Blood Banking - Making the decision to bank your baby's cord blood.

thepregnancypantry

Vegan |Pregnancy |Nutrition
Do you remember when your mum use to tell you that Do you remember when your mum use to tell you that you need to drink your milk 🥛 everyday to get strong bones and teeth? 

My mum still does it now and I’m 40 🤦‍♀️

But did you know you can get your calcium from other means. 

Minerals are inorganic substances that are crucial to the balanced functioning of our body. They help build bone, skin, tissue and teeth and Calcium is just one of the 20 essential minerals that our body needs and is vital in the development and growth of your baby’s bones and to help maintain the health of yours throughout pregnancy too. ⠀⠀

Various dairy products such as cheese, milk and yogurt are all good examples of calcium rich food sources but what about if we’re following a vegan 🌱 lifestyle or like so many of us, avoid dairy altogether and opt for almond milk, oat milk and the many other dairy alternatives out there??
⠀⠀
If you’re following a vegan lifestyle you can still find plenty of calcium fortified foods out there such as breakfast cereals and breads. 

Plus Green leafy vegetables 🥬 such as kale as well as dairy alternatives that are fortified with calcium such as yogurts, rice milk, and oat milk. 

Calcium is important for bone health and the body adapts to ensure more calcium is absorbed, so higher intakes are not needed. Although saying that you need to be getting around 700mg -1000mg of calcium a day. 

If you can, try to aim for about four servings of calcium-rich foods daily. ⠀⠀

Happy 😃 healthy pregnancies to you all. Xx .
.
.

#veganpregnancy #vegetarianpregnancy #plantbasedpregnancy #momtobe #thepregnancypantry #veganuary #vegangains  #veganprotein #veganinspiration #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfood #veganpregnancy #plantbasedvegan #plantbasedlife #veganhealth #vegantreats #vegansofaustralia #plantbasedpower #plantbasedprotein #plantbasedfamily #plantbasedfoodie #plantbasednutrition
ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH CONSTIPATION? 😳 Constip ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH CONSTIPATION? 😳
Constipation hits us all, and never more so than when we’re pregnant, 
⁣
Combined with the added stresses and worry we have during pregnancy, there’s those crappy hormones (they have so much to answer for) which can cause the intestinal muscles to relax more slowing the whole digestive process down.
⁣
many of us take prenatal vitamins that contain added iron which contributes to the slow down in the number of times we go. Everything backs up and before you know it, you’ve been sat on the loo for an hour and you still can’t go. 😫
⁣
If you’re struggling with constipation during pregnancy? Make this granola part of your morning routine, mix it up, add berries, bananas and any other toppings but keep the prunes and flax in there. 
 
250 Grams Rolled Oats
1/4 Cup Organic Natural Honey
1/4 Cup Coconut Oil for a dairy free option or butter melted
1/4 Cup Flaxseed
1/4 Cup  Sunflower Seeds, pumpkin seeds and flaked almonds 
1/2 Cup Chopped Prunes
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Mixed Spice ( optional)
 
1. Heat oven to 180°C / Gas Mark 4
2. Over a low heat melt the butter / coconut oil,cinnamon, mixed spice & honey together.
3. In  clean plastic bag put the nuts in & bash up with a rolling spoon, always good if you need to take some frustration out.
4. Add the nuts, seeds and flaxseed to the oats in  large bowl and stir in the melted butter mix
5. Combine the mixture well ensuring all the oats are fully coated.
6. Spread the mixture on a large baking tray and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Give the tray a shake every five minutes so that it colours evenly and doesn't burn.
7. Once cooled it will crisp up, stir in your chopped-prunes.
This keeps for a month in an airtight container. 
⁣
.
⁣
#homemadegranola #digestivehealth #healthybreakfastideas #healthynutrition #healthygut #eatforhealth #eatwholefoods #foodmedicine #healthyfoodrecipes #healthyfoodshare #feedfeed #pregnancy #babybump #healthypregnancy #pregnancyproblems #thepregnancypantry #pregnancynutrition #babyontheway #pregnancyhealth #prenatalnutrition #pregnanthealth #pregnant_world #mypregnancyjourney #nourishyourself #healthymamas #pregnancyfoods #pregnancyfood
⭐DO WE NEED TO SUPPLEMENT IRON ON A PLANT BASED ⭐DO WE NEED TO SUPPLEMENT IRON ON A PLANT BASED PREGNANCY? ⭐⁠
⁠
Despite the immense importance of iron especially on a vegan diet – not many people are meeting their daily iron requirements.⁠
⁠
The reason we need additional iron during pregnancy is to create extra haemoglobin. ⁠
⁠
This helps move the oxygen from the mother’s lungs both through the body of the mother and the body of the baby. ⁠
⁠
Just as with non-pregnant people, if too little iron is consumed, iron deficiency anaemia can occur. This can cause the baby to grow at a slower rate than normal causing them to be too small and it can lead to premature birth.⁠
⁠
Some women choose to take iron supplements throughout pregnancy which is typically dosed at 30mg to cover the iron needs daily. Due to following a plant based diet I would certainly advocate for discussing your levels with your doctor or midwife who will be able to carry a blood test to determine if you’re deficient. ⁠
⁠
Not all women need to supplement with iron, BUT because iron found in plant based foods isn’t absorbed as easily as that found in animal products, women who do not include meat in their diet need to make sure they include a full range of green leafy vegetables, beans, lentils, seeds and iron rich fortified cereals. ⁠
⁠
Beetroot is loaded with iron, minerals and vitamins and contains vitamin C which will also help your body absorb iron even better.  This smoothie is a winning combo for boosting your iron levels - kick start the day with this each morning. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#plantbasedlifestyle #plantbasedliving #plantbasednutrition #plantbasedfoods #plantpowered #plantbasedchef #ironrichsmoothie #beetrootsmoothie #healthyveganlife #vegetarianrecipes #vegetarianlife #plantbasedpregnancy #mypregnancyjourney #mommatobe #babyontheway #healthypregnancy #thepregnancypantry #happypregnancy #pregnancyfoods #pregnancyfitness #pregnancynutrition #fitpregnancy #pregnancyquotes #prenatalnutrition #pregnancyhealth #pregnanthealth #pregnancymemes #pregnantandperfect #fitpregnancyjourney #pregnancylifestyle
Find me on Instagram

PRIVACY POLICY / TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

© ThePregnancyPantry2020
  • Juliet Pro by LyraThemes.com
  • Home
  • My Mission
  • Navigating a plant based pregnancy
    ▼
    • Plant Based Pregnancy
    • The Importance of Folic Acid During Pregnancy
    • Vitamin D Needs During Pregnancy
    • Iodine and Zinc and their role in pregnancy
    • Why Do we Need Calcium?
    • Where can we get our essential Omega Fatty Acids from?
    • How much Iron do we need during pregnancy?
    • The importance of protein – how to ensure we get sufficient amounts during a plant based pregnancy.
    • Importance of Fibre Throughout Pregnancy
  • Smoothies & Juices
  • Freebies and Downloads
  • Latest Posts
  • Lets Connect