Cord Blood Banking
August 17th, 2008 Posted by: Ray Lam
If you are pregnant, you probably have received information about cord blood banking. This is an opportunity for you to bank your child’s umbilical cord blood. When cord blood is banked, it is stored so that at a later time, it can be used when needed. There are several key reasons why anyone should consider cord blood banking.
Cord blood contains very important cells that can help to grow a healthy immune system for someone who has fallen ill. Not only can this cord blood be used for your child, but for others that have the same type of blood and tissue. Although cord blood banking is expensive when done privately, it can be life saving and this is often the reason to consider it.
You may also be wondering if cord blood banking can actually be beneficial to all of your kids because you may have only one child undergo the cord blood banking process. Well in cord blood banking, your baby will be well ensured that the stem cells will be a perfect match for him or her as well as in the case of having an identical twin.
Studies on transplants of umbilical cord blood have revealed a sustained engraftment, which is similar to bone marrow transplant results. Umbilical cord blood is stored cryogenically through a meticulous cord blood banking process and is available at once when needed. Research on umbilical cord blood stem cell has revealed its potential to treat Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, heart attacks and strokes, and spinal cord injuries.
There are two ways to store your baby’s cord blood. If you choose public cord blood banking, your baby’s blood is taken from the umbilical cord, stored cryogenically and can be used by anyone that is in need of it. However, cord blood that is stored in a private bank can only be used for your child or other family members when required.
Another concern by mothers when it comes to cord blood banking is how safe will cord blood banking be for the baby as well as for the mother; if there will be any pain or discomfort involved in the whole cord blood banking process. When it comes to cord blood banking, the first priority will always be the well being of the baby.
There are still not enough cord blood donations taking place that will provide for the necessary help needed to cure conditions like cancer and leukemia. Yet, with more people considering cord blood banking, whether privately or publicly, it is likely that more miracles can happen. Through better education, more parents will see the true benefits of cord blood banking.
