Cord Blook Banking
The Basics
What is Umbilical Cord Blood?
During pregnancy, the placenta and blood within it (cord blood) serve as the lifeline of nourishment from mother to baby through the umbilical cord. Following the birth, the umbilical cord, placenta and blood contained within are routinely discarded. However, umbilical cord blood is rich in stem cells, the same cells found in bone marrow. Since the collection occurs after the birth of a healthy infant and poses no risk to the mother or baby, there are no ethical issues or controversy over their use. Children and adults with leukemia, lymphoma, or non-malignant disorders such as sickle cell disease may require a stem cell transplant to replace their diseased blood forming cells.
Simple, Safe, and Painless
Collecting cord blood is simple and does not interfere with the birthing process. Because collection of the cord blood takes place after the baby has been delivered, there is no danger to either the mother or baby. While waiting for the placenta to deliver, your physician or midwife will collect the umbilical cord blood. The entire procedure is non-invasive and painless for both the mother and baby.
Public Donation vs. Private Storage
The type of program you choose is a personal decision, and one that needs to be made prior to your delivery.
When a donation is made to a public cord blood bank, the umbilical cord blood is collected, processed and stored for free. The blood undergoes extensive testing, and if it meets the criteria for banking, it is typed, frozen, and stored until needed. These cord blood products are made available to anyone in the world who may need stems cells as part of their treatment. They can be shipped and used at a time that is optimal for the patient. There are only 22 such public facilities across the nation, so not all areas have access to donate cord blood. Units that do not meet criteria for patient use are made available for research to further understanding and the potential use of cord blood stem cells.
Private cord blood banks are available for parents who wish to store their child’s cord blood for personal use. The cost for private storage ranges from $1,200 to $2,000 up front, plus a yearly fee of $100 to $150. The blood is reserved for family use and no one can access the blood except the parent or the child at the age of consent. It is important to compare the different private banks to find the one that best suits your needs.