Healthy Habits: Cord Blood Banking

Cord blood is a noncontroversial source of stem cells and has been used for over 25 years in the treatment of more than 80 conditions including certain cancers. It is being evaluated in FDA-regulated clinical trials for their potential regenerative ability in autism, cerebral palsy, pediatric stroke and traumatic brain injury. I had a chance to interview Dr. Rallie McAllister, a family practice physician and coauthor of The Mommy MD Guide to Pregnancy and Birth; as well as Shelly Connelly. Because of her daughter Peyton’s health condition and infusion of her own stem cells, Shelly has become passionate about educating expectant parents on cord blood.