In light of National Cord Blood Awareness Month, our Full Circle Health Care wellness team wants to share some valuable information about the benefits of cord blood banking and how it can potentially save your baby's or someone else's life in the future.
What is cord blood?
Cord blood is the blood found in your baby's umbilical cord. It contains life-saving stem cells that can grow into blood vessels, organs and tissues.
A baby's cord blood can be collected at birth and stored for use in the future.
What is cord blood banking?
Cord blood banking is when blood left in your newborn's umbilical cord and placenta is collected and stored for future medical purposes.
When it comes to cord blood storage, you have two options:
1. You can donate your baby's cord blood to a public cord blood bank for anyone who needs it.
2. You can pay to store your baby's cord blood in a family cord blood bank for later use by your baby or another relative.
How is cord blood collected?
Collecting cord blood is a simple, safe and painless procedure that usually takes about five minutes and happens right after birth.
When the umbilical cord has been cut, the leftover blood in the cord is saved. The cord blood is then sent to a laboratory, processed and frozen for long-term preservation.
What are the benefits of cord blood banking?
Cord blood is a great source of blood stem cells, which are the powerhouse of the blood and immune system.
Additionally, stem cells can help repair tissues, organs or blood vessels and can be used to treat more than 80 types of diseases.
Which diseases can be treated with cord blood?
Certain types of:
- Cancers
- Bone marrow failure syndromes
- Blood disorders
- Metabolic disorders
- Immunodeficiencies
How much cord blood is stored in the United States, and where is it located?
More than 1 million units of cord blood are stored in family banks in the U.S. today.
Bringing a new life into this world can be one of the most unique experiences you endure throughout your adulthood. Our experienced medical team at Full Circle Health Care can provide you with all the information you need to be as healthy as possible while you are expecting.
For information about our pregnancy counseling or other prenatal care services, click here.
Here's to happy, healthy pregnancy!
~ Your Full Circle Health Care Wellness Team
References: http://www.babycenter.com/0_cord-blood-banking-what-it-is-why-consider-it_1362261.bc
Beans have always been a good source of fiber and protein, but now there are even more reasons to include them in a diabetic diet. In a 2012 study, researchers found that eating about a cup of legumes daily resulted in better blood sugar control (for both blood glucose and A1C) and lower blood pressure.
Also, consuming more fiber may lower the risk of a first-time stroke, according to the American Heart Association (AHA) journal Stroke. The researchers concluded that every 7-gram increase in total dietary fiber was associated with a 7 percent lower risk of a first-time stroke.
To help you include more beans in your diet, your Full Circle Health Care Inc. wellness team wants you to try this delicious recipe for Chicken Tostadas with Black Bean Salsa.
Ingredients
-6 6 - inches corn tortillas
-Nonstick cooking spray
-1 14 - ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth
-1 teaspoon chili powder
-1 teaspoon ground cumin
-1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
-3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (14 to 16 ounces total)
-1 15 - ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
-3/4 cup frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
-1/2 cup chopped fresh tomato
-1/4 cup chopped onion
-1/4 cup snipped fresh cilantro
-3 tablespoons lime juice
-1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
-2 cups shredded Romaine lettuce
-Fresh cilantro sprigs (optional)
-1/3 cup light dairy sour cream (optional)
-Lime wedges (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat both sides of tortillas with nonstick cooking spray. Place on baking sheets. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer to wire racks to cool. Tortillas will crisp up as they cool.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet combine broth, chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Bring to boiling.
3. Add chicken; return to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 8 to 10 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink (170 degrees F). Remove from heat. Let chicken cool in the liquid about 15 minutes or until cool enough to handle. When cool enough to handle, transfer chicken to a cutting board and shred the chicken into large pieces using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the cooking liquid.
4. In a medium bowl combine beans, corn, tomato, onion, snipped cilantro, lime juice, and pepper.
Place tortillas on serving plates. Top with lettuce and bean mixture. Using a slotted spoon, spoon chicken atop bean mixture. If desired, garnish with cilantro and serve with sour cream and lime wedges. Makes 6 tostadas.
Nutritional Information
Calories Per Serving: 207
Total Fat: 2 g
Cholesterol: 39 mg
Sodium: 285 mg
Carbohydrates: 28 g
Dietary Fiber: 6 g
Protein: 23 g
Full Circle Health Care is a leader in providing comprehensive obstetrics and gynecology services to women in adolescence through late adulthood. We specialize in high risk, critical care obstetrics as well as general women's health. CLICK HERE to learn more.
~ Your Full Circle Health Care Inc. Wellness Team
