I just found out that two good friends are expecting, and I am super excited! Both are second time moms, so they already have a lot of what they need. I know a lot of second time moms don’t even create a registry, making it challenging to figure out what to get the expectant mom for herself or her new baby. To help you this holiday season I am sharing five holiday gift ideas for the expectant mother.
- Newborn Pictures– With both my kids I made the investment to take newborn pictures before day 10. I love the images of their tiny little feet, and sweet little cheeks. Why not buy your expecting friends and family the gift of capturing their memories?
- Meal Planning– The last thing any new parent wants to do is to prepare meals. Consider gifting the expectant mother with gift cards to her favorite restaurant or organizing a meal train. You can head over to www.mealtrain.com to organize meals with your family and friends to ensure the new mom can take it easy.
- Spa Treatments– Prenatal massages, manis and pedis and beauty treatments make a great gift for the expectant mom. She’s pretty busy planning for her new baby, so sending a little self-care her way could be just the thing she needs.
- Housekeeping Service– When I was pregnant with Hayden there came a time where I simply could not get on the floor to vacuum under the bed or clean the tub. It was so nice having someone come in once a month just to do the deep cleaning, so I could focus on preparing for the new baby. This is a great gift for both before and after the baby comes!
- Cord Blood Registry (CBR) With both of my kids the only time newborn stem cell banking was discussed was during my intake appointment at the hospital. Our hospital has you go a few weeks early to make sure all your information is in the system. Along with the 20 page packet of forms on medical information, billing and insurance, and care preferences there was a small pamphlet tucked into the packet they provided. No one at the hospital could even explain what it was. If you aren’t sure what cord blood banking means you should definitely head to CBR’s website and do some research.
Here’s what I have learned about cord blood banking…
- A baby’s umbilical cord is made up of tissue and contains blood. Both the tissue and blood are rich in stem cells.
- These stem cells also offer potential future uses in regenerative medicine, in addition to the current uses of cord blood for certain cancers and blood, immune and metabolic disorders
- Preserved newborn stem cells are a perfect match to your child, and may even be a match for siblings or parents, providing the ability to use the cells for potential future uses depending on the condition and other factors.
*Source: National Cord Blood Program website. http:www.nationalcordbloodprogram.org/qa/what_is_treated.html.
Banking with Cord Blood Registry:
- Every family has access to CBR’s team of Certified Genetic Counselors, who can discuss their family’s medical history as it relates to newborn stem cells, and provide education about options to preserve them.
- CBR believes passionately in the power of healthy families. That’s why their Newborn Possibilities Program® assists families with a qualifying medical need by covering all costs for preserving their child’s newborn stem cells and storing them for 5 years.
- CBR is helping advance stem cell research by partnering with reputable research institutions on FDA-regulated clinical trials. They’re helping fund clinical trials to investigate the potential for newborn stem cells to treat conditions that currently have no cure.
- It’s simple to get set up:
- Enroll with CBR online at cordblood.com/enroll or call them at 1-888-240-1996
- CBR ships the collection kit to you
- Mom brings the collection kit to the hospital for the big day
- Call the medical courier after the baby is born and the cord blood has been collected by a healthcare professional
- CBR handles the rest and will notify you when they have your collection kit.
- It’s easy for your family to give! Learn more about how to set up a gift registry here
Now, head over to the CBR website to learn more about the potential benefits of newborn stem cells and about how to gift the expectant mother in your life with this incredible gift.
Any of these holiday gifts are sure to make the expectant mother feel special. I know I would love to get spa treatments even if I am not expecting. I’d love to hear your ideas for gifts that will really make a difference for the expectant mother. Happy gift giving!