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3 Things to Know about Cord Blood Donation

February 20, 2013 in Children, Community, Women, Women: Ages & Stages with 2 Comments

TCBBAnniversaryValentine’s Day is a day to express your love. Valentine’s Day was extremely special for the labor and delivery unit at St. David’s Medical Center since it marks the first anniversary of our partnership with Texas Cord Blood Bank. Over the past 365 days, due to the generosity of our patients, we have collected 1, 161 units of cord blood that can potentially be used to save someone’s life!

Top 3 Things to Know about Cord Blood Donation:

  1. Cord blood donation is free and does not interrupt the normal birth process. Privately banking your cord blood can cost thousands of dollars, which many families don’t have at the time of birth.
  2. By donating your baby’s cord blood, you can help treat life-threatening diseases such as leukemia, aplastic anemia or genetic blood disorders. Blood is drawn from the umbilical cord and placenta after the baby is delivered and does not cause any discomfort to mom or baby.
  3. Cord blood is found to be a rich source of stems sells and is currently being used as an alternative to bone marrow in treating the life-threatening diseases listed above.

Celebrate with us today as the work of St. David’s Medical Center and our amazing patients goes on to positively affect the lives of others!

-Meghan Frazier

Patients as Lifesavers – Cord Blood Donation with Texas Cord Blood Bank

February 15, 2012 in Baby/Infant, Children, Community, Pregnancy, St. David's HealthCare, Women, Women: Ages & Stages with 3 Comments

The words “cord blood” may not mean very much to you, but for some patients, those two words may mean the difference between life and death.

Right now, you may be asking yourself “what is cord blood?”
Cord blood is blood that is left in the umbilical cord and placenta after the birth of a baby. The umbilical cord and placenta are usually discarded after a baby is born.

This special blood is a rich source of stem cells which can treat a number of illnesses and life threatening diseases.

Now you may be thinking “wait, aren’t stem cells tiny embryo’s?”
The types of stem cells that are found in cord blood are not the same as embryonic stem cells. These stem cells are simply in the blood of the placenta and umbilical cord and are typically disposed of after birth. These cells have proven to be life saving in the face of several diseases and illnesses such as leukemia, lymphoma and disorders of the immune system, just to name a few. This program is not controversial and is supported by many faith based communities because of the difference in the type of stem cell.

St. David’s Medical Center in downtown Austin is the only facility in the city currently offering free cord blood collection and donation. Until now, the only option for cord blood collection was through a private bank that requires a fee for collection and storage. Cord blood that is collected and donated may be used to treat someone who is a match with a life threatening disease such as leukemia, aplastic anemia or genetic blood disorders like sickle cell anemia.

Here’s a snapshot at the process of cord blood donation:

  • Receive information about cord blood collection and donation from your doctor during your prenatal visits.
  • Discuss screening done for all cord blood donors with your doctor. Most healthy moms are able to donate, but there are some common reasons you may not be able to donate such as a twin pregnancy.
  • Decide if participation in this program is right for you and your family.
  • Instead of discarding your umbilical cord and placenta after delivery, your baby’s cord blood will be collected by your physician after the baby is born. This process does not pose a risk to you or your baby, and it not painful to you in any way at all. Once the cord blood is collected, the placenta and umbilical cord are disposed of per Texas law.

The decision to collect and donate cord blood is personal for each and every family. Your options include – storing your cord blood at a private bank, donating and storing your cord blood to a public bank, or discarding the cord blood after delivery. Understanding those options may help you choose whether you would like to be a cord blood donor.

You may never know if someone’s life could be saved by the use of this special blood, but how special is the thought that you may be giving a child a second chance at life or helping a child live a normal, healthy life!

For more information about donating cord blood, please check out Texas Cord Blood Bank’s website at:
http://www.bloodntissue.org.

*All information used with the permission of Texas Cord Blood Bank.

Safe Travel Tips for Moms to Be:

December 19, 2011 in Baby/Infant, Diet, Holiday, Lifestyle Tips, Pregnancy, Women, Women: Ages & Stages with 0 Comments

Traveling during the holidays and have some questions?  Here are some important travel and holiday tips from Dr. Linda Fonseca, Maternal Fetal Medicine physician with St. David’s Medical Center.

 Q- What recommendations do you have for women who are pregnant and traveling during the holiday season?

A- “Air travel is generally safe during pregnancy in the absence of obstetrical or medical complications. It is therefore important to ask you doctor first before making travel plans. If you are planning to fly this holiday there are a few things to consider. First, you must use your seat belt at all times since air turbulence cannot be predicted. Seat belts should be placed low on the hipbone. Secondly, the potential risk of blood clots from long periods of immobilization and low cabin humidity has been a cause for concern despite the lack of evidence of such events during pregnancy. The use of support stockings and periodic movement of legs are preventative measures that can be used to minimize the risk of lower extremity blood clots. Thirdly, it is best to avoid consuming gas-producing drinks while flying because entrapped gases expand in high altitudes. Stay hydrated by consuming water or juice. Finally, whole body scanners at airports have been a recent concern to all travelers even thought radiation exposure is minimal. If you remain concerned it is reasonable to ask for a different screening method such as wand scan or full body pat- down.”

“Regardless which method of travel you choose, it is always important to consider how far along you are and the potential for complications at the time of travel. The most common obstetric complications occur in the first and third trimester. So if you must travel during these periods it would be reasonable to have your prenatal records with you and your doctor’s contact information. Also make sure to take anti-nausea or heart burn medications because it is not uncommon to feel sick during a road trip or flight.”

Q- At what time during pregnancy should a woman no longer consider flying to travel?

A- “This is an individualized decision between you and your doctor however each airline has its own policy. Most airlines will allow you to fly up to 36 weeks. Remember the closer you get to term the more common it is to go into labor or have blood pressure problems unrelated to travel.”

Q-There are so many holiday gatherings and meals at this time of year, is there anything a pregnant woman should avoid eating for health reasons?

A- “Yes, holiday meals can contain food items that should be avoided during pregnancy because of the concern for infection. It is unsafe to consume unpasteurized milk or cheese. Unless it clearly labeled as pasteurized then you must avoid brie, feta, camembert, blue cheese and Mexican queso blanco/fresco. You must also avoid deli meat or uncooked meat and poultry. It is also important to stay away from pate, meat spreads and refrigerated lox. Sushi may contain uncooked seafood and shellfish and should also be avoided. Uncooked eggs can be found in some homemade Caesar salad dressing, hollandaise sauce, mayonnaise and custard recipes so it is important to ask the cook before consuming. Home made egg nog recipes call for raw eggs and alcohol and therefore should not be consumed. Store bought egg nog contains pasteurized eggs and does not contain alcohol so it can be consumed safely during pregnancy. Because there is no amount of alcohol that is considered safe during pregnancy it should be strictly avoided.”

Q-  Do you have any special travel recommendations for women who are pregnant and have a past history of pre-term labor or premature rupture of membranes?

A- “It is best not to travel after 23- 24 weeks (viability) with this obstetrical history because of the high risk of recurrence and the need to be near a tertiary center should these complications recur. If travel cannot be avoided but can be planned in a patient with such history it would be best to do travel prior to 23 wks and after 34 wks because management of the mother and baby are less critical.”

Q- If a woman who is pregnant and traveling starts to not feel well, what is the best course of action?

A- “If she is traveling by air she should tell the flight attendant immediately so that medical help can be enlisted. If she is traveling by car the patient or her travel companion can call her physician to address the concerns. If it is an emergency (labor, bleeding) then she should find the nearest hospital. It is always important to know the names, addresses and phone numbers of hospitals that are located along the travel route or nearest the final destination in case of emergency.”

Great information for woman throughout this holiday season.  Tell us about your holiday traditions and advice for surviving the holiday season while pregnanct!

~Meg

[Image Credit]

Holiday Tips for Expecting Moms!

December 7, 2011 in Baby/Infant, Children, Community, Holiday, Lifestyle Tips, Pregnancy, Women, Women: Ages & Stages with 0 Comments

Here are some helpful holiday tips for expecting Mom’s!

During the holidays we are all participating in many activities that generally bring happiness, but may also cause stress.

If you are pregnant, be sure to listen to your body this holiday season! Here are some tips to take care of yourself and your unwrapped present during this time of year:

  • Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep – you are growing an entire human being, congrats! That is hard work. Make sure to take time out for yourself and rest when you body tells you to.
  • Stay hydrated! During the winter months people generally don’t drink enough water since the temperatures outside are dropping. Water is key to a healthy pregnancy and feeling well. Being dehydrated can lead to fatigue and even uncomfortable contractions. Make sure to keep a water bottle with you throughout the day and take small, frequent sips!
  • Eat smaller meals, but eat often- This is especially important for women who are farther along in pregnancy. As the baby grows, he or she will push on your stomach causing you to feel discomfort if you are eating a large meal. Small snacks throughout the day may help you avoid tummy discomfort and heartburn. We often see women in labor & delivery reporting abdominal pain after eating a Christmas feast! Eating smaller meals can most certainly help avoid this discomfort.

What tips have you received for surviving the holidays while pregnant? Share with us, we would love to hear them!

Happy Holidays-

Meg

Neonatal Care at It’s Finest

November 10, 2011 in Baby/Infant, Women: Ages & Stages with 2 Comments

The NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) at St. David’s Medical Center was recently voted: “Best Preemie Team” by the Austin Chronicle – 2011 Best of Austin edition!

Our team comes with experience, compassion, dedication to neonates and their families; but their top priority is the exceptional care they are able to give.

“Each baby and each family has unique needs.  We strive to understand those needs so that we can provide the best care for our patients and their family.” say’s NICU director Rhonda Sageser.

The NICU provides care to babies that are born prematurely, which is less than 37 weeks gestation, as well as infants that are born needing extra help.  For some babies, it may just be some transitional difficulties with breathing.  But for other babies, it could be something life threatening that requires closely managed expert care or possibly even surgery.

Whether the issue is big or small, our NICU team at St. David’s Medical Center can handle it all.

Check back for upcoming interviews with neonatologist Dr. Jennifer Desireddi & more information about our Baby Matters program!

~*~Meg

5 Myths about Breast Cancer – Knowledge is Power

October 6, 2011 in Cancer Care, Lifestyle Tips, Women, Women: Ages & Stages with 0 Comments

To kick off Breast Cancer awareness month here are 5 myths about breast cancer from Brenda Baumann, director of The Breast Center here at St. David’s Medical Center

Myth 1: I don’t need a mammogram until 50 years of age-

A new study by researchers at the University of Missouri found that screenings in women ages 40 to 49 detected smaller cancers with less chance of spreading to the lymph nodes- which makes them easier to treat –and these cancers might not have been detected on a clinical exam.

Mammograms save lives of women in their 40’s. Women should begin screenings at age 40 and annually thereafter.

Myth 2: Mammograms cause cancer-

The radiation dose during a mammogram is low. It is the amount you would receive from flying for LA to Paris – a trip most of us would not give a second thought about taking.

Myth 3: If Breast cancer does not run in your family, you are not at risk-

Most women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a family history and many who do have a family history will never develop the disease. The danger lies in a false sense of security. Every woman should talk to her doctor about her individual risks, including age, hormonal factors, and breast density.

Myth 4: Monthly self exams are not necessary-

Though you may have heard advice suggesting self exams do not save lives, many experts still encourage them since mammography and clinical exams are not perfect. Using all three methods is your best chance of early detection. Early detection can improve your odds of being cancer free with less dramatic treatments. Download an instructional self exam card here.

Myth 5: Breast cancer always appears as a lump-

Signs of breast cancer can take many different forms. See you doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

  • A change in the size or shape of your breast
  • A dimpled or puckered appearance to the skin that resembles an orange peel
  • An itchy, scaly area
  • Nipple discharge other that breast milk
  • Pain on one spot
  • Swelling or redness of the breast
  • An inverted (pulled inward) nipple if it has not always appeared this way
  • A lump

Join us this month in supporting awareness and raising money to find a cure! If you would like to join the St. David’s Healthcare team, simply log on to komenaustin.org, click “join existing team” and search for St. David’s Healthcare.

Thanks for all the great information Brenda!

-Meg

Un-Expected Therapy

September 15, 2011 in Lifestyle Tips, Pregnancy, Women: Ages & Stages with 0 Comments


I recently started taking a pottery class- let me re-state this: I started taking a pottery class 4 weeks ago. In 12 hours of class time I have made a small jar or cup looking piece that is about 3 ½ inches tall and 2 inches wide. I have not fired it or glazed it yet. It’s somewhat depressing, but also inspiring at the same time.

I started taking this class to work on my skills and patience. Centering, centering, centering! It took me almost 6 hours to remember how to center my clay!

What I didn’t expect was to find a sense of community in the class. It feels almost therapeutic. The class consists of all women, all of us very different and at very different stages in life. Some of us have children, others don’t – some of us working busily in our careers, others retired.

Even though it’s challenging, working with the clay seems to provide us all the same benefit- relief. When I’m there in the studio, the only thing I’m thinking about is my current masterpiece.

There is a woman in the class is who about 7 ½ months pregnant or 30 weeks. As I watch her with the clay, I think how life is imitating art. How she is working so hard with this clay to get a perfected end result, much like her body is working hard to produce an entire perfect human being. Both are simply amazing. She is getting so close to the end result. Despite her growing tummy, she moves with intention and molds the clay.  She thought she would have to quit her classes as her stomach started to grow, but as it turns out she is more comfortable throwing pottery then she is most other times of the day. Her tummy lays low near the wheel as she pushes the weight of her body into her piece.  It doesn’t sound comfortable but she says she is!

The class talks about her upcoming due date offering tips and advice along with affirmations & validation.

I wonder to myself if she knew that this class would be an un-expected therapy when she signed up?

What are some of the activities that you did during pregnancy that offer other un-expected benefits?

Check out some of my work!

5 Recommendations for Record Breaking Heat and Pregnant Women

August 22, 2011 in Baby/Infant, Children, Community, Heat Safety, Lifestyle Tips, Outdoors, Women, Women: Ages & Stages with 0 Comments

This week I interviewed one of our new Maternal Fetal Medicine physicians, Dr. Linda Fonseca. Here in central Texas, we all know the heat has been exhausting and it has the opportunity to take an even greater toll on those who are pregnant.

Here are the things we chatted about:

Meg – How does the heat affect women who are pregnant?

Dr. Fonseca – “Pregnant women are more susceptible to dehydration because of the pregnancy and it can lead to serious problems. Heat can exacerbate dehydration from other conditions such as morning sickness or the stomach flu worse. Dehydration during pregnancy can lead to pre-term contractions or pre-term labor which can affect the outcome of the baby.”

Meg – What are the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and also heat stroke?

Dr. Fonseca – Many of the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion can be easily disguised as something else. For heat exhaustion, be on the lookout for such things as: headaches, dizziness, cold or clammy skin, thirst, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, dark urine and fatigue. Dr. Fonseca states that the signs and symptoms for heat stroke are much more severe and life threatening including: mental confusion or lethargy (an abnormal state of drowsiness), core body temperature of 104 degrees, seizures and lack of perspiration.

Meg – What can a patient do to decrease the risk of heat exhaustion?

Dr. Fonseca – “During these days of high temperatures, make sure to stay indoors as much as possible”. Dr. Fonseca encourages women to run errands in the early morning hours when it is still cool outside as opposed to the middle of the day when temperatures are the highest. She also recommends staying hydrated – “carry around a water bottle and take several sips throughout your day even if you are not thirsty”. Dr. Fonseca would like to remind women that they should increase their water intake if they are doing anything outdoors and to stay away from caffeinated drinks like soda or tea that can increase dehydration. “Caffeine is a diuretic which can cause your body to dehydrate much more quickly.” She also recommends wearing light clothing when doing anything outdoors and try to stay in the shade as much as possible.

Meg- What is an adequate water intake to prevent dehydration? Many women feel like 8-10 glasses of water per day are hard to achieve because they feel very full.

Dr. Fonseca – “The goal is still 8-10 glasses per day especially in these high temperatures.” Dr. Fonseca encourages women to take small sips of water throughout the day to prevent those uncomfortable “full” feelings that accompany the growing fetus. The plastic water bottles most people are familiar with are approximately 16oz so a person would need 4-5 bottles of water per day to meet the water requirement.

Meg – Any special foods or drinks you recommend to ward off dehydration or electrolyte imbalance?

Dr. Fonseca – “I generally encourage my patients to eat fresh fruit (instead of dried fruit), especially in the summer that is high in water such as peaches, watermelon, or cantaloupe.” Dr. Fonseca tells her patients to stay away from caffeine and sugary drinks that may rob your body of water. She encourages them to drink water and supplement with electrolyte enhanced liquids such as Gatorade, vitamin water or pedialyte.

Always an advocate for sunscreen, she reminds patients to make sure they are wearing an SPF in the summer wherever their skin will see light, but especially on their face. “During pregnancy there is an increase in melanin which can increase the chance of chloasma during pregnancy. Chloasma is hyper pigmentation caused by an increase of hormones while you are pregnant. Make sure to wear an SPF daily when leaving the house.

-Has anyone out there had a baby during these summer months? What advice do you have for our moms to be?!

Stay cool-
Meg

Top 5 :: Things to bring to the hospital when having your baby:

August 15, 2011 in Baby/Infant, Lifestyle Tips, Pregnancy, Women, Women: Ages & Stages with 0 Comments

Friends and family often ask me what to bring to the hospital when they come to have their baby-
This is a classic tale of LESS IS MORE!

Remember that although our rooms are comfortable and spacious you will have a new addition in the room that comes with lots of new equipment (diaper bag, car seat, CLOTHES!). There may also be many people coming to give you and the baby well wishes.

Here is a top 5 of things you should definitely consider bringing to the hospital.

  1. Your own pillow. Nothing says home like the smell of your sheets and a comfortable pillow.
  2. A small radio or iPod speakers/docking station. Music has been shown to decrease anxiety, motivate and relax a person – makes a great addition to any labor or postpartum room.
  3. Comfortable slippers with non slick soles.
  4. Magazines, books or something to focus on during early stages of labor and after the baby arrives.
  5. A comfortable robe – this is a recommendation from a friend who recently had a baby. Since hospital gowns are ‘one size fits all’ she felt somewhat exposed in her gown as she is a very petite person and the gown engulfed her. A soft, lightweight robe that you can easily breastfeed would be very helpful & comforting.

What did I forget?

~ Meg
Learn More:

Back to Sleep :: 7 Recommendations to Reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

August 2, 2011 in Children, Lifestyle Tips, Women, Women: Ages & Stages with 0 Comments

We’ve all heard the scenario – a new mother brings her baby home from the hospital and the family members start pouring in – along with their unsolicited advice.

Whether it’s good advice or bad advice, it’s something that every mother seems to go through. This story though takes the cake.

My friend, who recently had her first baby, was telling me about her family coming to visit during the first few weeks after the birth of her son. A close family member asked the new mother how she wanted him to be laid down in the crib. “On his back, that is what the pediatrician and my obstetrician told me was the best” my friend urgently sputtered out.

After about 10 minutes the family member proceeded to say “by the way, I put him on his stomach; I think he will sleep better that way.”

My friend frantically flew into her newborn sons’ room, picked him up and flipped him over to his back, knowing that babies should be put ‘back to sleep’. She explained to the less then helpful family member that studies show the overall rate of SIDS has decreased by almost 50% since the campaign started.

That number speaks volumes.

You have heard of this, right? Putting your baby ‘back to sleep’ – it’s a way to help parents remember to put their baby on their back when they lay them down to sleep.

In 1994 the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) started this campaign to help educate parents and people caring for infants to reduce the risk of SIDS.

This little gem of information may be something s younger generations of mothers know since it has been nationally promoted for the past 17 years. Make sure you share this information with Aunts, Grandma’s, and Cousins – anyone who might have a child over the age of 17 and may be caring your child at some point.

Before that time, that information somewhat floundered. My own mother told me that when she had all 3 of her children, the advice was never the same. For one baby it was recommended to put the baby on their tummy to sleep, the next it was recommended to put the baby on their back to sleep and so forth.

Here is what the NICHD Back to Sleep Campaign recommends:

  • Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, even for naps
  • Place your baby on a firm mattress, such as in an approved safety crib
  • Remove soft, fluffy bedding and stuffed toys from your baby’s sleep area
  • Make sure your baby’s head and face remain uncovered during sleep
  • Do not allow smoking around your baby
  • Do not let your baby get too warm during sleep
  • Talk to childcare providers, grandparents, babysitters and all caregivers about SIDS risk

Make sure to talk with everyone that may be caring for your baby about the Back to Sleep Campaign. You can even order fun magnets with the information on it as a helpful reminder.

~ Meg

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