Lifesaving treatments for expecting moms?

February is Pregnancy Awareness Month and there are important actions and decisions that expectant parents should to take into consideration at the beginning of this incredible parenting journey. With modern technology progressing, there are methods of storing your baby’s umbilical cord stem cells.

More and more expectant parents are considering storing their babies’ umbilical cord stem cells for potentially life-saving treatments. At birth, the baby’s umbilical cord is filled with millions of precious stem cells. Collecting your baby’s cord blood and tissue stem cells at birth is completely non-invasive and does not interfere with your birthing plan at all. These cells are young and untainted and are stored at ultra-low temperatures of below 190 degrees Celsius which enables the cryo-preserved material to last for over 20 years. The cells are a perfect match for your baby, provide an option for treating diseases for which a stem cell transplant is indicated, such as bone marrow failure or leukaemia, and they will also have an excellent chance (1:4) of being a match for a sibling (brother or sister).

Your baby’s brain development is dependent on the mother’s omega-3 DHA levels during pregnancy. DHA is a polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid, and the most abundant omega-3 fatty acid in the brain. However, the human body is unable to produce DHA, which is taken in through diet, or via supplements. Approximately 70% of the total number of brain cells meant to last throughout a person’s lifetime come from the DHA available during pregnancy, before the child’s birth. These levels have been closely linked to intelligence and cognitive development, eye development and are also linked to healthy gestational weight and length.

Even after birth, breastfeeding babies are dependent on mom’s omega-3 DHA intake for growth and development. For these reasons, monitoring omega-3 levels of a pregnant or breastfeeding mom is vital during and after pregnancy.

Ecsponent Biotech is a South African company that invests in products and services that promote the adoption of personalised and regenerative medicine among South Africans to improve their quality of life. In addition to Ecsponent Biotech’s stem cell service, CryoSave, the company has launched two vital omega-3 tests for expectant mothers – MyOmega and MyMilk. The MyOmega and MyMilk tests give parents and families the peace of mind that they are providing adequate levels of omega-3 DHA to their child via a detailed report which includes recommendations based on the findings. The report allows moms to alter their diet, or take additional supplements, according to the context of their personal health profile.

For more information on storing your child’s stem cells, visit www.cryo-save.co.za. To find out more about MyOmega and MyMilk, contact Ecsponent Biotech’s InfoHub on 087 807 7022 or email them at info@ecsbio.com.

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.

For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine

Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!