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ACOG Released a New Opinion on Delayed Cord Clamping

For decades, the prevailing viewpoint among healthcare practitioners was that it was best to cut the umbilical cord within 15 to 20 seconds after a baby was born. A new opinion from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists changes their previous recommendations regarding delayed umbilical cord clamping after birth. The umbilical cord functions as a lifeline between mother and baby. The baby receives oxygen rich blood from his or her mother through the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord is also the baby’s way of removing carbon dioxide and waste products. For decades, health practitioners would clamp the umbilical cord, … Continue reading →

The Benefits of Fish Oil

I have been taking fish oil for several months now. There are a few health benefits to fish oil that you may not be aware of. One of the main reasons that I began taking fish oil is because of concerns with my heart. I have a mild case of tricuspid regurgitation, which means that when my right ventricle contracts some of the blood that pumps through leaks back into the tricuspid valve. From what I have been told it is so mild there is no real concern. I have never been completely sold on that. Any possibility of a … Continue reading →

Cord Blood Banking

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When you are pregnant, it is likely that your doctor’s office will give you an information packet about cord blood banking. After your baby is born, the blood from the umbilical cord can be stored for up to ten years in cryogenically sealed containers. Cord blood is rich in high quality stem cells, which can be used to treat many different diseases. These diseases include certain types of cancers, myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative disorders, marrow failure syndromes, blood disorders, inherited platelet abnormalities, histiocytic disorders, inherited metabolic disorders, immune deficiencies, and other diseases like osteoporosis. Cord blood can either be donated or … Continue reading →

Increase Exercise Decrease High Blood Pressure

According to new research, for people with high blood pressure, regular exercise can help save their lives. It may sound like a dramatic statement, but experts say the information is on target and can help millions of people with high blood pressure. The study’s conclusions were simple: Elevating one’s heart rate for a mere 30 minutes a day can be the most important lifestyle change people with high blood pressure can make. Simply put, if you suffer from high blood pressure it is imperative that you carve out time to bike, walk, run, swim or participate in some other physical … Continue reading →

Family Matters: Marriage Thicker Than Blood?

How devoted are you to your partner really? Devoted enough that if, for whatever reason, you had to choose between your husband/wife and your own family you’d choose your spouse? “Why on earth would I have to choose between the two, Courtney?” you may be wondering. “Surely nothing could be that bad it couldn’t be worked out.” Sadly, sometimes things are that bad. Sometimes things just can’t be worked out. For instance, sometimes a parent opposes a match so fiercely they throw down an ultimatum: marry him/her and I’ll never speak to you again. When my mom was living with … Continue reading →

When Should the Umbilical Cord Be Cut?

One procedure more parents are considering as part of the birth plan is when to cut the umbilical cord. Should the cord be cut just after the birth? Should you wait until it stops pulsating to cut it? There are two completely different opinions on when to cut the umbilical cord. Some doctors believe the cord should be cut immediately after birth and not later than 30 seconds after the baby is born. This is largely due to a belief that delayed cord cutting can cause breathing difficulties in the new baby. Other doctors and most midwives are advocates of … Continue reading →

A New Reason to Bank Your Baby’s Cord Blood

Banking baby’s cord blood is a relatively new procedure (new as in the last 30 years or so) where blood from the umbilical cord is collected at the hospital and stored at a storage facility for future use. Cord blood contains the same life saving stem cells as bone marrow. However it has a distinct advantage in that umbilical cells are considered more adaptable and are less likely to be rejected by the recipient. Many parents consider banking the umbilical cord blood in the event that their child or another close relative may have a life threatening illness. However, the … Continue reading →

Should Insurance Cover Bariatric Surgery?

There is some debate about whether or not state health insurance plans should cover bariatric surgery. Some people feel that people should have to pay for this surgery on their own, without the use of “taxpayer money”. Others point to the lifesaving benefits of this type of surgery, and its expense. For some reason, there are a lot of people who feel that people who use a state or federal form of health insurance should not have access to the range of health care treatments and services that are available to people who are able to afford to pay for … Continue reading →

Taking Care of Children: Priceless

Clearly, I am in the wrong line of work. Can’t stand the sight of blood, so medicine is out; not great with numbers, so hedge fund manager is not an option. However, I do love kids, even ones that aren’t mine, so why am I not raking in the dough? Because I am not a babysitter in California. If you thought it was costing you an arm and a leg to fund your monthly date night in the Golden State now, just wait until a new bill passes. You may be a paraplegic before your kids enter high school. Assemblyman … Continue reading →

The Need for Protein (Part III)

Women have the miraculous ability to grow a baby inside them. Proteins are the fundamental building blocks for the baby’s body, so it is essential that expectant mothers get plenty of protein while pregnant. In the last two blogs, we’ve covered how many animal protein sources are produced at organic farms and factory farms. We’ve considered some of the benefits of organically raised animals and some of the problems with factory farm raised animals. Another protein we need to consider is Milk. Milk can be made into many different dairy products, but it all starts with the milk from cows … Continue reading →