Umbilical cord blood is the blood that found in the umbilical cord and the placenta. This blood is usually thrown away. However, umbilical cord blood banking are a system where the child’s umbilical cord blood is stored and conserved. If you are thinking to storing your baby’s umbilical cord blood, you can use a chord blood bank recognized by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB).
Why should us store our baby’s umbilical cord blood in an blood bank?
Your baby’s umbilical cord is a rich source of stem cells genetically related to your baby and your family. Stem cells are the main cells that contribute to the development of all the tissues, organs and systems of your baby’s body.
Stem cells can be transformed into other types of cells in the body to create new growth and development. They are also the basic components of the immune system. The transformation of these cells gives physicians the method to treat leukemia and some hereditary health disorders.
Your baby’s umbilical cord stem cells may also be effective in treating certain diseases or the situation of parents or siblings. The stem cells of the umbilical cord have the same capacity to treat the disease as the bone marrow, but with very little rejection.
Using Umbilical Cord Blood Bank can give you peace of mind knowing that you have a valuable resource if you need it.
How is the umbilical cord blood collected?
The umbilical cord blood collection process is simple, safe and painless. The procedure usually does not exceed five minutes, does not interfere with the delivery and is possible with both delivery of vagina and cesarean delivery.
Your health care provider will use a syringe or bag procedure for collecting blood:
- Syringe Method: A syringe is used to draw blood from the umbilical cord, which is immediately after umbilical cord has been cut. This process is similar to blood extraction for blood tests.
- Bag procedure: The umbilical cord is elevated to drain the blood into a bag.
A syringe or bag should be pre-labeled with a unique number that identifies your child.
Umbilical cord blood can be collected during the first 15 minutes of birth and after collection, the laboratory has to take action within 48 hours.
What happens with collected umbilical cord ?
The baby’s umbilical cord is processed and stored in the laboratory, often called a blood bank. you must use a chord blood bank recognized by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB).
What are the health risks factor to a mother or child?
There are zero health risks in cord blood collection. The umbilical cord is retrieved after it is cut from the body, thus it is painless, safe and without any risks.
What is the cost of cord blood banking?
There are usually two stage of payment in cord blood banking. The first preliminary fee that involves enrollment, collection and storage for the first year. The second is an annual storage fee.
Based on the pre-determined storage, the first year charge may vary between $ 900 to $ 2100. After the first year annual storage fee is approximately $ 100. It is common for storage facilities to offer prepaid plans in discounts and payment plans, which helps in initial storage to make more attractive choices for you and your family.
What if I do not preserve cord blood?
The blood of your child’s umbilical cord can be a valuable resource for another family. There are many foundation that run non-profit blood banks and medical facilities in many places. They will collect, process stem cell from your baby’s cord blood and use so that other people can get treatment.
Like other blood donations, the cord blood donor’s is not worth the price. If you do not choose to store your baby’s cord blood, please consider donating it. Your charity could change another’s life
Click here to contact us to know public cord blood donation center in your area.