Parents are often opting these days to save their newborns umbilical blood for the possibility the baby or a close family member might need it to treat a disease. Statistics available so far indicate only a one in 2700 chance the baby will need the chord blood and a one in 1400 chance other near family members may need it. However, cord blood can be used for non-family members and is being used to treat diseases and save lives. It is less likely the blood will be a match for non-family members but many matches are made successfully.
Cord blood banking is the process of obtaining and storing a newborns umbilical cord blood. The umbilical cord is the cord that attaches from the baby’s belly button to the placenta in the mother’s womb during pregnancy. The umbilical cord is the channel for provision of nutrients and oxygen to the growing fetus. Until recently the umbilical cord and the placenta were considered medical waste and simply disposed of after birth.
Stem cells, researchers discovered could cure many diseases such as leukemia and help others such as brain injury and Alzheimer’s. Umbilical cord blood is full of these precious stem cells. Cerebral palsy has been successfully treated with cord blood. As research continues it is believed even more uses for stem cells such as spinal cord repair will be discovers. Stem cell research is at the cutting edge of medicine and the possibilities for new healing modalities for diseases using stem cells are enormous.
If you decide to bank your baby’s cord blood you need to let the bank of your choice know by your 34th week of pregnancy. After your baby has been delievered a bank professional will collect the blood is a seperate room. Collecting the cord blood is completely painless for both you and your baby.
Approximately 80ml or the equivalent of approximately 3 ounces of blood is collected. The blood needs to be collected within 10 to fifteen minutes of birth which is why arrangements must be made ahead of time. The collection of this blood does not interfere with the birth in any way. Donating to a public bank is free of charge.
After collection the cord blood is tested for any diseases. If any such diseases are discovered the family will be notified. The blood is then processed and slowly frozen to -196 degrees. The blood can be stored indefinitely so long as the temp is maintained. Cord blood banks have multiple back up sources of power to avoid any loss of this precious resource.
If you cannot afford the somewhat stiff cost of storing your baby’s cord blood consider donation to a public bank. The cord blood is discarded if not banked and helps noone. It could be your gift will inspire others to do the same and one day a family member will benifit from others donations.
A few public cord blood banks will agree to save a portion of the blood for family use at no cost in order to encourage donation. Private cord blood banking has an initial set up cost of 1500-25– dollars and a yearly fee of 100-150 dollars. Research which bank you want to use carefully. This donation can provide the gift of life to your family or someone elses.
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