As a mommy-to-be, thinking about the health and well-being of your baby, before the baby’s arrival, is surely not unnatural. However, while you think of your baby’s health and healthy future, the life-saving benefits of cord blood banking must have caught your attention.
In fact, both you and your partner can see your mail box flooded with innumerable information on cord blood banking and their benefits, from some of the best stem cell banks in India.
So, what is Cord Blood Banking?
Basically, cord blood banking is the procedure in which, the blood left behind in the umbilical cord and placenta (after clamping and cutting the cord that connects to the mother and the baby) is preserved in a sterile environment to ensure using the stem cells once in a lifetime. The preserved stem- cells can used to heal the body from life-threatening blood-related diseases and disorders.
But, before you take the most important decision for your baby’s health and your family’s healthy future, you might have several questions in mind.
Read this piece of interesting information to get your questions answered
Is cord blood collection painful and can it come in-between the birthing process?
No! On contrary, cord blood collection is an absolutely painless, safe and quick process. The hospital staff cuts and clamps the cord and uses a sterile bag and needle to collect the blood, left behind in the cord and the placenta. And this whole process doesn’t interfere with the birthing process.
Isn’t cord blood nothing but a medical waste?
There is no denying that, earlier when babies were born, the umbilical cord along with the cord blood was treated as medical waste. However, with the advent of science and innovative technology, medical researchers have come across many successful cord blood transplantations and stem cell therapies, across the world. The treatment of Fanconi Anaemia, 1988, is just one of them, thus indicating that umbilical cord along with the cord blood is a rich of source of stem cells. And they have till date been used to treat patients with over 80 life-threatening blood-related diseases such as cancer (leukaemia and lymphoma) or thalassemia or sickle cell disease. However, researches on umbilical cord and cord blood being used in order to address the neurological defects like cerebral palsy, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease or bone marrow failure or genetically inherited immune deficiencies; are gaining momentum across the world.
Only a small amount of blood gets collected, Isn’t it?
The amount of cord blood that gets collected, depends largely upon the weight of the infant. And, according to research, approximately 75ml of the blood gets collected for quality-testing, processing, preservation and dispensation.
Stem cells can be collected from other sources too, then why is cord blood banking needed?
Undoubtedly, stem cells can be harvested from other sources like bone marrow, peripheral blood, skin and adipose tissue, but that in invasive procedure involving pain. However, in the last few decades umbilical cord (with the cord blood) with blood-forming stem cells needed for transplant is increasingly preferred over the other sources as they are nascent, pure and more tolerant, adaptable and active in nature. Plus, when it comes to finding a close match within the family or siblings before a transplant becomes easier. Not just that! There is lack of exposure to serious diseases after the transplant.
Public banks don’t charge for cord blood banking, Right?
Understanding the power of the stem cells, there are many expecting parents, who are including the cord blood banking in their birth plans, nowadays. In fact, there are several stem banking companies who support this responsible decision of the expecting parents. However, if the expecting parents get the public cord blood banking option, they might have to donate the baby stem cells for research work and the transplantation activities. The parents might have to bear a nominal amount for cord blood collection from the hospital. But they will not be able to use the stem cells it for themselves later on, once they have donated them.
Why do expecting parents opt for private cord blood banking, knowing their charges are relatively on the higher side?
Big names in private cord blood banks, when it comes to offering complete protection of the baby’s health and the health of the entire family, swear by their decades’ old expertise, patented technologies (that ensure minimal or no human intervention and maximum recovery of the stem cells) and commitment. Being registered with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and accredited with American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) allows expecting parents to give private cord blood banking companies a thumbs up, irrespective of the cost they have to bear. Organisations like FDA and AABB, conduct on-site inspections to ensure that, the banks are maintaining standard protocols while preserving the stem cells.
Don’t the stem cells start losing their shelf-life, preserving them for a long period of time?
Not at all! Scientists believe, with proper freezing and storage methods (in liquid nitrogen in -1900), the stem cells can be preserved for decades, or maybe an indefinite period of time. In fact, the baby or the baby’s family can use live and kicking stem cells whenever they need them.
Is it necessary to bank the stem cells for the second child, once the expectant parents have banked for the first one?
Just by banking the cord blood for the first child, the parents can reap the benefits for the second child. Two full siblings have a 25% chance of being a perfect match.
Having said, as expecting mother, rather as parents, can choose the best stem cell bank of India, and can definitely go for both cord lining and cord blood banking to offer your baby and your family a wide range of treatment option.
Still thinking? Don’t miss this once-in-a-life-time-opportunity!
