Cord Blood Banking
Cord Blood Banking
Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born. It is a rich source of stem cells, which have the ability to develop into many different types of cells in the body. In the past, cord blood was often discarded as medical waste after a baby was born. Today, cord blood is typically collected at the time of birth and can be stored for future use, or donated to a public cord blood bank for use by anyone who needs it.
Why would I store my baby’s cord blood?
The cord blood of your baby is an abundant source of stem cells which are genetically related to your baby and your family. Stem cells are dominant cells because they contribute to the development of all tissues, organs, and systems in the body.
One of the most common reasons is to have a readily available source of stem cells in case they are needed for future medical treatment. Cord blood stem cells can be used to treat a variety of conditions, such as certain blood disorders, immune system disorders, and genetic disorders. Cord blood stem cells have the ability to develop into many different types of cells in the body, which means they have the potential to be used to repair or replace damaged tissue. This could be useful in treating conditions such as heart disease, stroke, or spinal cord injuries.
Storing cord blood in a cord blood bank provides a backup in case a family member needs a stem cell transplant in the future. If a family member has a condition that could be treated with stem cells, having cord blood stored in a bank could be a valuable resource.
How is cord blood collected?
The cord blood collection process is simple, safe, and painless. The process usually takes no longer than five minutes. Cord blood collection does not interfere with delivery and is possible with both vaginal and cesarean deliveries. Your healthcare provider will use either the syringe method or bag method for collecting the blood:
- Syringe method – To collect the cord blood, a trained healthcare provider will insert a needle into the umbilical cord and draw out the blood using a syringe. The syringe is then attached to a special kit provided by the cord blood bank, which is used to process and store the collected cord blood.
- The bag method for collecting cord blood involves using a special bag to collect the blood from the umbilical cord after the baby is born. The bag is placed around the umbilical cord and squeezed, which causes the blood to flow into the bag. The collected cord blood is then processed and stored in a cord blood bank.
What happens to the cord blood once it has been collected?
What are the health risks to the mother or to the baby?
There is absolutely no pain or risk to the mother or child during the collection process because the blood is harvested from the cord once it has been clamped and cut.
How much does cord blood banking cost?
There are usually two fees involved in cord blood banking. The first is the initial fee which covers enrollment, collection, and storage for at least the first year. The second is an annual storage fee. Some facilities vary the initial fee based upon the length of a predetermined period of storage. It is common for storage facilities to offer prepaid plans at a discount and payment plans to help make the initial storage a more attractive option for you and your family.
What if I do not want to store the cord blood?
Your baby’s cord blood could be a valuable resource for another family. From foundations to nonprofit blood banks and medical facilities, there are numerous locations that will collect, process, and use the stem cells from your baby’s cord to treat other people. Just like other blood donations, there is no cost to the donor of cord blood. If you do not choose to store your baby’s cord blood, please consider donating it. Your donation could make a difference in someone else’s life.
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