When you are an expecting mother already in the third trimester of the pregnancy, you may have to decide what to do with your child's cord blood.

Cord blood refers to the blood that remains in the umbilical cord after the delivery. This type of blood has now been proved to be a good source of cells of the immune system, especially stem cells. When the baby comes out, the parents need to decide whether they want to have their baby’s cord blood donated to a public bank or to have it stored instead inside a private bank for their family’s later use.

So, how does cord blood banking work, and what are its benefits? These are some questions that most expecting parents have in their minds. To get a clear picture, read below.

The Banking of Cord Blood

Banking cord blood concerns a process that collects and stores blood that came from an umbilical cord when the baby is born. The stem cells, as well as the other cells that make up the immune system, are then extracted from the blood and cryogenically frozen for future medical use.

Contrary to popular belief, cord blood has very little blood in it. In fact, red blood cells are said to be detrimental in storing stem cells. In cord blood banking, it’s the blood from the cells that are collected, not the blood cells. Thus, cord blood preservation can be beneficial to treat life-threatening diseases in the future.

Types Of Banks That Store Cord Blood

The bank types involved in cord blood storage are the following:

Public Banks – A public bank is the one that collects cord blood that’s donated, and the donation process is free of cost. After birth, the blood will be collected and anonymously marked so that it can be used for research or for saving someone else’s life. However, if you opt for this choice and someone in your family will later require having a stem cell treatment transplant, it won’t be possible to access this cord blood you already donated.

Private banks – In private banks, you can store cord blood, but a certain fee is needed for storage. This blood can later be used to treat a family member. Storing cord blood would prove to be an excellent option for those with a family history of disease that can be treated by stem cells. Nowadays, many parents also opt for storing cord blood in case the baby or any family member may need it in the future. If you’re looking for reliable private bank options, check Insception Cord Blood Banking.

Cord Blood Banking Procedure

There are specific steps to follow about how cord blood banking works. They are the following:

· Prior to the collection, the mother’s blood is tested for any infection.

· The blood to be collected needs to be stored inside a specialized kit. The collection kit has to be ordered beforehand if the parents decide to put their baby’s cord blood in a bank.

· The collection of the blood is usually done shortly after the mother has given birth.

· Just before the delivery of the placenta, a health care provider will cut the umbilical cord.

· The next step is the collection of the blood from the freshly cut umbilical cord. This process won’t cause any harm to the mother or the child.

· This cord blood will then be transported to the appropriate bank.

· Several tests will be conducted before finalizing the collected cord blood for storage.

Collection And Storage Cost

Most private banks have a one-time fee for collecting, extracting, and preserving cord blood; costs may range from USD$1,000 to $2,000. The price includes the safe collection and transportation, the courier services used for its safe shipment, the blood tests for both the mother and the baby to check for infections, and the cost of a full year of storage. Afterward, there is a continued yearly storage fee of around USD$100 - $200.

How Does Cord Blood Benefit A Family?

We know that cells develop into three types – the red and the white types of blood cells, plus the platelets. In life-threatening illness such as cancer or an immune system disorder, treatments often consist of radiation or chemotherapy. These treatments end up killing the healthy type of bone marrow stem cells along with the bad ones. In such cases, the donor’s stem cells will be transplanted to the patient. These cells then help to increase the body’s blood-producing capacity and boost the immune system. However, this type of procedure could only be possible if the donor stem cells match the patient.

As the stem cells being transplanted need to match the cells of the patient, having cord blood will have an advantage in this process. Since it is taken from the baby, the stem cells will always be a perfect match for the baby’s later needs as an adult.

The baby’s family also benefits from banking. Immediate family members are likely to be a match to the banked cord blood. Usually, siblings have a 25% chance of being a perfect match and a 50% chance of being partially matched. Parents often have a higher chance of matching, too. Besides, even extended members like grandparents have a high possibility of being a match. Thus, any family member could benefit from this kind of blood.

Conclusion

The storage of cord blood can be beneficial not only for the child but for the family members as well. These days, it's advisable to store cord blood, especially if you have a family history of any life-threatening illnesses that can be treated with stem cells. It pays to be ready.

How Does Cord Blood Banking Work?