Cord Blood: What It Is, Why You Should Collect It, and How
Cord blood is blood that remain in the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born. It is rich in stem cells and has the potential to save lives. That's why cord blood banking is a growing trend among expectant parents. Collecting and storing cord blood can provide parents with peace of mind and a possible source of life-saving treatments for their child and family members. In this blog post, we'll explain what cord blood is, why you should collect it, and how to do so.
What is cord blood?
Cord blood is a unique and special type of stem cell found in the umbilical cord and placenta of a newborn baby. This type of stem cell has the ability to develop into various types of cells, making it an invaluable resource for medical treatments. Cord blood is rich in both hematopoietic stem cells, which can differentiate into red and white blood cells and platelets, as well as mesenchymal stem cells, which can differentiate into bone, cartilage, skin, muscle, tendons, and ligaments.
The collection of cord blood is a safe and painless procedure that can be done at the time of delivery. The collection process involves clamping and cutting the umbilical cord and collecting the cord blood from the placenta. The cord blood is then transported to a processing and storage facility where it is tested for any diseases or infections and processed for long-term storage.
Cord blood is a valuable medical resource because it can be used to treat diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, metabolic disorders, and certain inherited genetic disorders. It can also be used in research to develop new treatments for these and other diseases. Collecting and storing cord blood is an important decision that parents should discuss with their healthcare provider before giving birth. Cord blood is relatively easy to collect and store, but it does come with a cost. To cover the cost of cord blood banking, expectant parents may pay around $1,200 up front plus about $100 per year for storage. Parents who want to get some idea of what cord blood might cost them should contact a cord blood bank near them. One thing to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to store your child’s cord blood is that not every insurance plan will cover this service.
Why you should collect it
When it comes to your family's health, it pays to be prepared. That's why cord blood banking is becoming increasingly popular among expecting parents. Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after childbirth, and it contains stem cells, which can be used to treat over 80 diseases and disorders, including cancer, cerebral palsy, and immune disorders.
The benefits of collecting and storing cord blood are numerous. Storing your baby's cord blood ensures that it is readily available should your child or a close family member ever need it. This means that you will have access to potentially life-saving treatments without having to rely on an outside donor, which can take months or even years to find.
Cord blood banking is also relatively inexpensive. It costs around $2,000 to collect, process, and store your baby's cord blood for the first 20 years. Furthermore, unlike adult stem cells, cord blood stem cells have not yet developed immunities and are more likely to be accepted by the recipient's body.
When considering whether or not to bank cord blood for your baby, weigh all the potential benefits with the minimal risks associated with the procedure. If you decide to go ahead with the process, make sure that you choose an accredited facility that meets national standards for safety and quality. Ultimately, collecting and banking your baby's cord blood may give you peace of mind and provide invaluable protection should your family ever need it.
How to collect it
Collecting cord blood is a straightforward process that takes only minutes to complete. First, you will need to speak to your healthcare provider or the hospital you plan on delivering at to determine if they offer cord blood collection. If they do, they will provide you with instructions on how to properly collect the cord blood.
Typically, cord blood is collected immediately after the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut. The healthcare provider will use a special collection kit that contains anticoagulant to collect the cord blood. This anticoagulant helps to prevent the cord blood from clotting during the collection process.
Once the cord blood is collected, it is then sent to a lab for testing and storage. The lab will usually freeze the sample for future use. Stored cord blood can be used for potentially life-saving treatments in the future, such as treating certain types of cancers, autoimmune disorders, and even some genetic diseases.
Collecting cord blood is an important part of preserving your family's health history and can provide your family with a valuable medical resource that can last a lifetime.
Storage
When it comes to collecting cord blood, the process is simple and straightforward. Once the umbilical cord is cut, a portion of the cord blood is collected into a sterile bag and stored in a secure facility.
Cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, which are used for a variety of medical treatments such as cancer, leukemia, and other diseases. Cord blood is also used for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Storing cord blood can be an important resource for both the family and the medical community.
The process of storing cord blood is regulated by the FDA, so it’s important to make sure that any facility you choose to store your cord blood meets all necessary standards. Main types of cord blood
is Two. Cord blood storage: public and private. With public cord blood banks, your cord blood will be donated to research projects. With private cord blood banks, your cord blood will be stored privately for your own personal use.
Before choosing to store your cord blood, it’s important to consider all the risks and benefits. Cord blood banking may have its advantages, but it also involves some costs that must be taken into account. Additionally, there is no guarantee that your cord blood will be useful in any given medical situation, so it’s important to understand all the implications before making a decision.
By understanding the process of collecting and storing cord blood, you can make an informed decision about whether or not it’s right for you and your family.
