Cord Blood Banking
If you have a little one on the way, you may have many different questions about cord blood banking. This is a topic that is still fairly new and is ever changing as new advancements are made in the field. It is important that you get the answers you are looking for so that you can make an informed decision for your family.
What exactly is cord blood and does cord blood banking take anything from my baby?
A common misconception is that the blood is taken from the baby. This however is not the case. The blood is actually collected from umbilical cord and placenta. Since this process is not done until after the delivery, this means that there are no risks or pain involved for the mother or the baby. You should also note that many doctors will even collect other specimens from the umbilical cord, such as the gases. It also good to realize that cord blood is different from embryonic stem cells because it does not involve the embryo, but rather the cells from inside the cord.
Is cord blood banking only used for cancer?
While leukemia is the most common application for cord blood, there are over 80 diseases that these cells have been found to treat. Some examples of this include sickle cell disease and systematic lupus. It is also important to note that there are new treatments using cord blood that are constantly surfacing, so there is plenty to be hopeful for.
Who can benefit from the cord blood banking?
While many people have thought that only the child that the blood stem cells were taken from can benefit from the treatment, the truth is that the reach is much greater. Immediate and extended family members can benefit from this, making it a sort of life insurance for the family. On top of this, there are many unrelated that can be treated with these stem cells, which is why many people choose to now donate the cord blood. It is estimated that over 10,000 lives have already been saved due to family or donated cord blood.
What do I have to do for cord blood banking?
Typically, when you set up a registry with a company for banking the blood from the cord, they send you a collection kit. You do not have to do anything with it, but bring it with you when you have the baby. The doctor will do the collecting of the necessary blood and package it accordingly. With this, they will also set up for the medical courier to take it to the facility where you will the unit will be stored until need. This whole process is generally completed before the mother and newborn even leave the hospital, as the stem cells needs to be processed and stored properly in a timely fashion. The only additional thing you may have to do as the mother is have your blood drawn to test for infectious diseases.
Are there certain situations where the cord blood banking is not an option?
Yes. There are a few circumstances where the blood from the cord or placenta will not be viable and therefore cannot be used. One is if one of the parents has a sexually transmitted disease. There are also certain medications that affect the cord blood viability. Aside from this, the only other condition you will need to worry about is an infection in the amniotic fluid. If you are going to use a public bank to donate the blood stem cells, you should note that generally they will not accept twin cord bloods, as there is a chance of the kits and cords becoming mixed up and causing contamination of the units.
What is the difference between private cord blood banking and public donation?
These are two very different ways that you can handle the cord blood from your baby. With a private bank, you pay for the collection and then usually a set fee every year for the storage. On the other hand, with public donation you will be giving it to a public bank where it will be stored for possible matches. Your name will not be used and it does not guarantee that you will be able to use this blood in the future as your name is not on the unit. One of the benefits for public donation is that there is no fee for the couple to donate the blood from the cord.
What should I look for when selecting a cord blood banking center?
There are a few things that you should keep in mind when you are making your selection. There are many different companies that are out there and you should not rely simply on the price as the deciding factor for a company. You should talk with a representative and find out what solutions they offer in case there is a power outage, as this will ensure the viability of the blood until it is needed. You should also look at where they are located and the other safety procedures they have in place for natural disasters, such as hurricanes or tornadoes that can destroy buildings. It can also be helpful to ask about what their procedure is in the event that you ever actually need to withdraw the blood and stem cells that it contains. As with any other company, you should also run a search through the Better Business Bureau as well as look at reviews online to make sure you are satisfied with the level of service that they offer.
How much with cord blood banking cost me?
This is really an open ended question for many reasons. One is that there is no set price for this as each company can charge whatever they feel like for their services. The average cost for collection of the blood is $900 to $2000 and the average costs of yearly storage vary from $100 and up. This is why it is important to know all the fees associated with the banking before you get started with any particular company.
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