Cord Blood remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after the birth of a baby. This blood contains hematopoietic stem cells that can cure diseases like blood disorders, immune deficiencies, metabolic diseases, and certain types of cancer. These cells can convert into any blood cells and strengthen the immune system. Cord blood storage can help your child or any other family member develops any rare diseases in the future. You can also give the blood away in a public blood bank so that it can reach someone in need.

How is cord blood beneficial?

Cord blood contains hematopoietic stem cells that can treat some of the uncommon diseases. The stem cells obtained from cord blood are medically more helpful than the stem cells obtained from other sources. The chances that your child will get affected by the uncommon diseases that require stem cells as a treatment is rare. However, millions of children are affected by such diseases worldwide.

Stem cells can also get donated via bone marrow. But this process is lengthy and complicated. The donor and the receiver must be a perfect genetic match for each other. Also, bone marrow transplants may not be successful in all cases. The receiver body might not accept stem cells through a bone marrow transplant. Receiving stem cells through cord blood is easier because lower levels of genetic matching are required. The chances of the patient’s body refusing to accept cord blood are also less. Cord blood gets stored in an affordable cord blood bank for $19.99/month, which makes it readily available for surgeries.

The process of collecting cord blood is simple. If you want to donate your cord blood, talk to your doctor after 28 weeks of pregnancy. All you will have to do is fill a consent form and undergo a screening test. The collection will get done after delivery. A professional will clamp and cut the umbilical cord, use a needle to draw blood, and place the placenta in a bag. It will be pain-free as well as safe for both mother and the baby. Whether you have a baby through C-section or normal delivery, it will hardly take 10 minutes in collecting the cord blood.

Many scientific studies are carried out on cord blood and placenta. Healthcare professionals believe that advancements in technology will reveal more benefits for cord blood. So, you must think about cord blood storage instead of throwing it away.

Benefits of Private cord blood storage

The chances of your baby suffering from a disorder that requires cord blood as a treatment are rare. However, if someone from your family has genetic or immune system disorders, you must approach a private blood bank. The parents will own the blood, and it can get used for your child or family member’s treatment only. Using these services is expensive. So invest if you think someone in your family can benefit from it.

Benefits of Public cord blood storage

Millions of people across the globe suffer from genetic disorders. The cord blood of the body can be beneficial for many such people. Public banks use cord blood for allogeneic transplants. It means that the stem cells can treat a condition in a person other than the donor. Genetic matching of the blood is done with the receiver. When there is a similarity between their cells, we call it a good match, and a transplant can get done. The authorities store the cord blood in freezers and so it is readily available in cases of emergencies.

Public donation should be preferred over private donation because there is a rare chance of this blood getting used for a family member. A public donation makes the blood available for anyone in need. Public banks do not take any charges for cord blood storage, however, you should submit minimal collection fees. In other words, the blood thrown away after the delivery of a newborn can save many lives.