The utility of this procedure is in offering “cure” to diseases hitherto labelled as incurable ——–and the list is long—- from diabetes to parkinson’s disease to spinal injuries. It has proved beneficial in young children with diseases like cerebral palsy, and in elderly people with degenerative diseases. The patients who have lost hope of living a healthy life , have seen new hope in this therapy. It may be too early to use the word “cure” but one thing is sure that the quality of life improves immensely. Those who were supposed to be bedridden / unable to walk/ lost bladder bowel control/stuck to wheel chair for life etc. now have an option and hope of getting rid of this stigma . They can fulfill their dream of physically independent existence.

We are all very lucky to be witnesses to newer scientific researches and to receive easy and convinient cures for so many diseases which were put into the category of ” incurable” .

Day  in and day out we read of scientific researches taking place around the globe regarding the diagnosis , treatment of diseases and also improving the well being of the person. Quite a number of these are in preventive stages or being researched on animals. However, a small little cell called the stem cell has  acted like the revolutionary ” big bang” changing the universal picture of various diseases that were hitherto unamenable to treatment. This therapy has opened up new horizons of hope in the darker areas like neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes mellitus, cancer, etc.  It is interesting to observe that now man is peeking beyond diseases to use these litle stem cells to maintain  youth and vigour.

What are stem cells , is the right question that comes to mind now. They are the most early cells in the development of the human body and they have the potential to develop into any organ tissue of the body. This principle was behind the thought that has matured now into stem cell therapy for hitherto incurable diseases. When these cells find a way into the human body and are accepted by host body without any untoward reaction, they reach the organ where there is disease / degeneration. They lodge themselves there. They metamorphose into the cells of that tissue and start functioning there. This cell then in a diabetic patient starts secreting natural insulin  and is given hope of total cure to millions of diabetics across the globe. Similarly these cells lodge in the appropriate area of the nervous system giving hope to patients with degenerative brain disorders, post traumatic neurodegenerative diseases, spinal injuries, etc.

These stem cells were initially used in animal experiments successfully. However for the stem cells of animal origin to be successfully reach in humans took quite some time and research . As these cells were originally from animals they could be used only when the immune system of the host was suppressed to allow them to reach the target organs. Here cropped up the idea of stem cells of human origin. The umbilical cord is a rich source of stem cells. However using these stem cells needs appropriate tissue matching. Another source of stem cells is the human bone marrow cells  of an adult. Here the bone marrow cells are made to regress to stem cells by artificial culture. These are  then to be injected into the persons body. This has lead to very good results because the cells being drawn from the host himself do not lead to antigen antibody reaction in the host.  The latest and easiest in this line is using a persons dermal cells ( from skin) to develop stem cells. Both these techniques have been extensively researched and are now being  introduced in human beings.  However these are very new techniques and out of reach of the common man.

And now comes the easiest and plentiful source of stem cells – the wasted human embryos. After fertilisation there is rapid multiplication of cells, which form a ball of cells called morrula. All these cells will later on reorganise themselves and grow into various human tissues and organs. These embryonic stem cells also are a great source for  therapy. But at the moment they are still engulfed in certain controvercies…….

More on that later…..

The standard calculation is called Nägele’s Rule.  This was developed in the 1850’s by a Dr. Nägele, who determined that the average human pregnancy was 266 days from conception, or 280 days (40 weeks) from the start of the last menstrual period. To calculate this, begin with the first day of your last period (LMP). Add 7 days, then subtract 3 months.

((LMP + 7 days) – 3 months) = Expected Date of Delivery

EX: ((April 1 + 7 days) – 3 months) = January 8

This “rule” doesn’t take into account the fact that many women are uncertain of the date of their last menstrual period, not all women have 28 day cycles, and not all women ovulate on day 14 of their cycle.

Another Calculation

In 1990, researchers (Mittendorf, et al) re-examined this issue for modern American women. Results indicated that, for first-time Caucasian moms, an average pregnancy lasts 274 days from conception (approximately 288 days from the last menstrual period).

This research and other studies also show us many other factors influence the length of pregnancy, including: mother’s age, weight, ethnicity, prenatal care, prenatal nutrition and smoking, number of prior pregnancies, and more.

Mittendorf shows an average pregnancy is 269 days for mothers who’ve given birth before. Non-Caucasian moms have shorter pregnancies than Caucasian moms; for example, African-American women average 266 days.

So, to calculate “Mittendorf’s Rule”. Begin with the starting date of the last menstrual period. Add 15 days for first time Caucasian mom, or add 10 days if you’re non-white or this is not your first baby. Then subtract 3 months.

((LMP + 15 days) – 3 months) = Expected Date of Delivery

EX: ((April 1 + 15 days) – 3 months) = January 16

What other methods can tell what the gestational age is / how many weeks pregnant someone is?
Those calculations predict a due date based on the date of conception. If the date of conception and the date of the last menstrual period are unknown, there are several other ways to determine how far along the pregnancy is.

• Ultrasound: Ultrasound can be used to examine the baby’s development, and determine his/her age based on which systems are fully developed. If ultrasound is performed in the first trimester, it can indicate fetal age within a range of 3 – 5 days. Later in pregnancy, it is less accurate. Up to 20 weeks, the margin of error is 7 – 10 days. By the third trimester, an ultrasound date can be off by as much as 3 weeks in either direction. Therefore, a baby that appears “term” (40 weeks) may be anywhere from 37 – 43 weeks.
• Heart Tones: Fetal heartbeat can be heard through Doppler starting at 9-12 weeks and by stethoscope at 18-20 weeks.
• Fundal height: A physician or midwife can measure mom’s belly, specifically the distance from the symphisis pubis joint to her fundus (the top of her uterus). Fundal height can indicate the size of the baby, which can give insight about fetal age. Typically, from week 24 to week 34, fundal height in centimeters correlates with weeks of gestation. For example, at 28 weeks, the fundus is probably about 28 cm. This is not an exact measurement, and several factors can affect its accuracy.
•  Quickening: Some believe the baby will come five months after quickening, the first time the mother feels the baby move. This is hard to evaluate, as women can be more or less sensitive to these sensations, and may notice them at different times in their pregnancies. (First time mothers typically notice movement around 18-20 weeks. Mothers who have been pregnant before notice it as early as 16 weeks.)

Even if you know your exact date of conception, and the exact gestational age of your baby, and know the “average” length of pregnancy, it is still difficult to predict exactly when your baby will be born. A normal pregnancy can last anywhere from 37 to 42 weeks. Only 4% of babies are actually born on their “due dates”.  6-10% of babies are born early – prior to 37 weeks; 4-14% of pregnancies last more then 42 weeks.

So, when will your baby be born?

If this leaves you very confused, just realize that predicting due dates is a very inexact science. Make sure you have everything ready for your baby and for your birth by two weeks before your due date. But then have some really fun and exciting projects to keep you busy for up to two weeks after your due date, that way you don’t feel too frustrated if your baby comes a little later than “expected.”

The pregnancy due date is given at the beginning of the pregnancy and is often referred to as Estimated Delivery Date; you may see this abbreviated to EDD on your patient notes. The accuracy of the predicted pregnancy due date is not very high, this is because they apply a statistical mean to the prediction, amazingly only 5% of all babies are born on the original pregnancy due date or EDD.

Of the remaining 95% that arrive either before or after the pregnancy due date, 30% arrive before and 70% after. So as you can see, the majority of babies born arrive after their pregnancy due date. Even with the amazing technological advancements in the last twenty years, accurately predicting a pregnancy due date is beyond the medical fraternity.

The main reason for this is because every woman’s menstrual cycle is unique, they are of varying length and ovulation, this means that conception can occur at any time within in it. Many women get incredibly worked up about the pregnancy due date, especially towards the end of the pregnancy, this is the time that your body aches, you’re tired and you just want everything to be over. When we feel like this, it is easy to comfort ourselves in the knowledge that we have a pregnancy due date, therefore we already know when it will all be over.

Unfortunately, basing this on the original pregnancy due date may not be the best thing to do. As you can see from this article, an overwhelming 95% of all babies are born outside of the original pregnancy due date. This means that if you become emotionally attached to that estimated due date, it is possible you may have a huge sense of disappointment when that day comes and goes without a baby arriving.

Many women complain of feeling deflated and drained when they go over their pregnancy due date. Each and every day following feels like an enormous drain, as though they have done everything that has been asked of them, yet for some reason they are being kept on for a few more days. It is very easy for morale to drop and feelings of depression to sneak in. That is why it is absolutely critical that you do not emotionally buy into the original pregnancy due date.

It is also critical that you do not dwell on the fact that you are now overdue. In fact, when you are given the original pregnancy due date, it is often a good ploy to add an extra week to that date. If you do go past the original date, take comfort, relax and enjoy this time.