Cord Blood Banking

As an expectant parent you have so many decisions to make, products and services to research. Finding the best stroller within in your budget is a tough decision. One decision that is commonly overlooked is whether or not to bank your babies cord blood.

I do birthing classes in my town and so many parents have never heard of cord blood banking. I have 4 children. Yes i said 4! They are 9,7,5 & 13 months old. I first heard something when i was pregnant with my 3rd child and really didn't research it. With my last child, it was something that i wanted to check into. We knew that we were not having anymore children and didn't want to pass on something that could possibly benefit my entire family.

What is so special about your newborn's cord blood?

• The newborn's umblicial cord blood is a valuable source of non-controversial stem cells. Cord blood stem cells, like bone marrow stem cells, are free of political and ethical debate.



• The benefits of cord blood stem cells are clear- cord blood has already saved thousands of lives and medical researchers are now exploring potential new uses for conditions like diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
  


• Currently have been successfully used in the treatment of 70 life-threatening diseases
  


• Perfect match for the baby and may also provide potential treatment for other family members as well.

(Information taken from ViaCord's website at www.Viacord.com)

What to look for in a collection and storage company.

• Financial stability of the company. In today's economy, we really need to fully research our options before making our decision



• Where the cord blood is stored? You want to make sure that it is not in an area that is succeptable to natural disasters. Such as flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.



• What is the company doing to advance what our babies cord blood can be used for?



• Price is always important but remember, the cheapest is not always the best
  
  Now that you have the questions, now what do you do? The world wide web is a vast wealth of information. You can google, "cord blood banking" and will come up with many websites including the companies that collect and store your blood for you.
  

As I mentioned, I banked my babies cord blood. I personally choose ViaCord. I had the opportunity of meeting the Account Manager for the area that I live in. She asked me if I was going to bank? I said no, and that started me thinking why am I not at least going to look into this. After researching the companies, I choose ViaCord. My husband and I had many discussions of whether to spend the money or not. He is a research chemist in a pharmaceutical company. This is what I found out about ViaCord from a regular mom's perspective.

• The company is publicly owned and is financially sound. They have been in the leader in cord blood perservation and research since 1993.



• The blood is stored outside of a major airport hub in Cinncinnati in a state of the art cryopreservation facility.



• I believe that Viacord is the only cord blood preservation companies that have a dedicated team to further research with cord blood.
  


• Pricing is competitive and in line with the CBR. What swayed my decision was the research done in house by ViaCord. That showed my family that they were dedicated to expanding the technology of cord blood. If you are in the medical profession or active military, there may be additional savings.



• They offer a baby registery. You can have family and friends donate towards the cost of your banking.



• My OB was very educated on ViaCord and recommended that I check into it before my delivery date.

Whether you are expecting your first child and on your 4th life myself, this is a very important decision. For more information or to view a short presentation of cord blood banking, you can visit www.brainshark.com/viacord/Sherri_Spaw.

I currently have $400 OFF Coupons that expire mid June. If your are interested, please email me at slspaw@verizon.net for more information.

Pregnant & what to wear for the holiday parties?

Before we know it the Christmas parties will begin. If you are pregnant, this is not a fun time. You may already be worried or upset with the growing wasteline or what is left of your waistline. I have GREAT NEWS for you! Maternity fashions have changed from 10 years ago and designers are keeping up with current trends.

The best style for pregnant moms are either things that stretch or a A-line cut. A-line cuts, you need to be worried more with the bustline than the waistline. Look for free flowing fabrics that are forgiving. Some style dresses can we taken in after baby for a whole new look.

Enjoy the holidays and feel confident in the body that you have been given while carrying your baby.

To find more dresses like the ones shown, visit www.HSTMaternity.com

Her Special Time Maternity Now Opens By Appt Only in Wesley Chapel, Florida

Calling all Tampa Bay Pregnant Hip Mommas!

Her Special Time Maternity Boutique closed their retail store front in 2007 and has continued to run as a exclusive online maternity boutique since at http://www.hstmaternity.com/. They have had so many Tampa pregnant moms call wanting to know when and where they would re-open. As of December 2008, they will be showing their maternity collections at Look Who's Kickin Ultrasound in Wesley Chapel on an Appointment Only basis. You can still shop the top maternity designers close to home.

Here is how it will work: Check out the website at http://www.hstmaternity.com/. You will call their customer service line at 813-907-2727 to schedule a day and time. The Tampa pregnant moms will view the website and let the stylist know what type of items they are looking for. Those items will be available for viewing and trying on during the scheduled appointment. Some things are internet exclusive items only and are shipped directly from the designers warehouse.

A great solution for the fashionable pregnant momma. If motherhood maternity or Target is not your cup of tea, then give them a call for your private viewing and fitting.

You can call either Look Who's Kickin Ultrasound in Wesley Chapel 813-909-8080 or Her Special Time Maternity directly at 813-907-2727 to schedule your appointment.

Maternity Swimsuits

It is cooling off and you have a vacation coming up. What do you do when the stores have already removed the maternity swimsuits from the sales floor. Don't worry! You can find maternity swimsuits on line 12 months out of the year. There is one maternity designer, Nicole Michelle that produces swimsuits all year around.

Many maternity swimsuits look like regular swimsuits! You can wear them while pregnant and after baby arrives. I know personally, my son is 5 months old and I still like to cover the left over baby belly up.

Whether you are looking for a triangle top swimsuit or a bandeau style, http://www.hstmaternity.com/ will be able to help.

3D/ 4D Ultrasounds

From the moment you find out that there are 2 blue lines on the pregnancy test, you start dreaming of what this little peanut looks like. Or at least, I did. Technology has changed over the last 8 years. With my first baby who was born in 2000, I had 1 ultrasound at 20 weeks pregnant. That was only chance to get that blurred black and white view of the child that I was carrying.

Flash forward 8 years. I had the pleasure of experiencing a 3/4D Ultrasound with my youngest child. Who knew that I could opt out of the amino test and have a ultrasound at 16 weeks pregnant. The 16 week test was to rule out birth defects. I of course wanted to know if there were any problems with the baby, but secretly I wanted to know if I was having a baby girl. I already had 1 girl (8) and 2 sons (5 & 3). The tech couldn't tell me for sure what I was having. I was ready to clean out the baby stuff and get rid of clutter in my home.

I contacted Erica at Look Who's Kickin Ultrasounds in Lutz. She told me to come in and we would take a peek. Within a few moments, I saw that I was having another BOY! Another son, I was really in for it! Just to see him on the big screen and in color and 4D was amazing. He was still a little peanut at that time. Maybe a 1/2 pound.

This was just a tease for me and I had to go when he was more fully developed. I scheduled a ultrasound at 28 weeks. I took my children so they could meet their new baby brother. They saw mommies belly expanding but really couldn't put things together. My in laws went and my husband. I was amazing to see Caleb on the screen moving around and dealing with hiccups. The kids were so happy to see the baby that would soon be here. It was finally real. Erica at Look Who's Kickin wanted me to come back at 30 weeks once he was a little fatter. I had no problem taking another peek at my last baby. He looked just like my other 2 sons. Identical that is!My in-laws were in awe and were so happy that they could experience this with us.

At 30 weeks, I went in for another sneak peek and Caleb was indeed chunkier and worked with the sonographer to get the perfect pictures. I left each visit with a CD of the baby, pictures and priceless moments with my unborn child. This is a luxury item of course, but once the baby arrives, this is not something you can go back and have a do over on.

When checking in your own geographic area for a ultrasound sonographer, you might consider the following.

• Are they licensed as a sonographer or just someone who bought into a franchise and opened the doors.
• Have they previously worked in the field with pregnant women? They may see something that you want your OB to check into. You will have a CD to take to the OB.

I was able to capture a moment in time with my unborn child. I was able to see all the curves in his face long before I could hold in my arms. This is definitely something I will treasure forever. A special thank you from the bottom of my heart and belly to Look Who's Kickin in Lutz. If you want more information, please call 813-909-8080 or visit http://www.lookwhoskickin.com/.

Pregnant & Getting Married~

OK. Let's face it. Life doesn't always go according to our plans or the way we would like to have them. Statics show that 4 out of every 10 brides are pregnant. That is almost 1/2 of the brides! So you are planning your dream wedding and surprise, your family is going to grow sooner than you were planning. Going to places like David's Bridal is not necessarily going to work with you and your growing belly. Don't fret thou, there are alternatives for you.

There are maternity designers that specialize in maternity wedding dresses. Yes, I said "Maternity Wedding Dresses." Reality. You are looking for a dress in a short time frame and can't really wait for one to come in within 3-5 months. I have had the pleasure of working with many pregnant moms who were in this same situation. The Internet is a great place to find your perfect wedding dress in a short matter of time.

Somethings to know ahead of time.

1. Date of the event

2. Your current measurements

3. What style you are leaning towards

4. How your body is changing with this pregnancy

Most Internet websites that sell maternity wedding dresses are Final Sale items. This is due to the fact that this is a speciality item and usually cut to order. This would be the same as going into a bridal shop and ordering your non maternity wedding gown.

You know how your body is changing and how you look in certain types of clothes. If you don't wear things with no sleeves now, don't think that you will feel any different with your wedding dress. There are so many beautiful maternity formal wear dresses. Don't feel like you have to have a white or ivory dress either. You can find maternity wedding dresses from $168 on up online at http://www.hstmaternity.com/. They have been selling maternity wedding dresses and maternity formal wear since 2004. Contact the retailer or e-tailer and ask questions before you order the dress. If you are unsure of the size, ask before ordering and not after the fact. This is a problem if it is a Final Sale item.

Getting married and having a baby all together can be stressful but very exciting in the same time. Enjoy these joyous occasions and don't let the small stuff stress you out.

Notes from the Under Belly~

Half way through the pregnancy with baby #4, I realized people say the craziest things! From the moment I found out that we had another baby on the way, the comment (positive and negative) along with the unsolicited advice never seems to cease.



Don’t get me wrong, a new baby is a special time in a couples lives and such a miracle from above. I am one of those crazy women you actual enjoy being pregnant! I have my days like everyone else, but the good days by far out weight the not so great days.

My favorite comments are from the baby boomer and older population. I guess it has been awhile since they have had their babies, and the actual facts have escaped their minds a little. Like a baby being potty trained at 9 months! Give me a break. Their kids were brillant or mine are just really slow~

When I found out that my hubby and I were in deed not finished with expanding our family, we told our family members.

My mom always said “if you didn’t have something nice to say, then keep it to yourself.”

Here are a few of the initial remarks I heard & my initial thoughts I kept to myself:

• “Do you know by now how that happens?”- I think by having baby #4 on the way we do!


• “What are you going to do now?” -Well I don’t know. Do I need to send back one of my other kids?


• “Can you really afford it?” – We always seem to make it work.

As my belly has grown, so have the remarks:

• “Wow you are really big for 9 weeks. Is there twins?”- I am not in my 20’s anymore and this is the 4th kid. Muscles do stretch!


• “Can I make a wish?”- Can I rub your belly and make a wish?


• “How much weight have you gained?”- It is not polite to ask a woman how much she weighs pregnant or not!


• Are you due any day now? - No I still have 12 more weeks and thanks for noticing
  

Pregnancy is a special time in a women’s life. We try and enjoy every moment good or bad as it comes. Take the crazy comments in stride and if you are bold enough, where your thoughts on your shirt for the world to see! I Did!

To see more maternity personality t shirt brands, visit http://www.hstmaternity.com/. You will find Molly Anna Maternity, Cry Baby Maternity, Rock Star Moms, Merry Go Round to name a few.