Umbilical Cord Blood Banking
As you plan for the birth of your child, you are likely to face many important decisions. One of those is whether to store your child’s umbilical cord blood at the time of delivery.
Listed below are various issues you will need to consider before making your final decision. The importance of cord blood banking is becoming more evident as the list of diseases treatable with umbilical cord blood continues to grow. There is only a brief window of opportunity to obtain umbilical cord blood: immediately following the delivery of the baby and while the placenta is still attached. It is of utmost importance that you make your decision ahead of time and discuss it with the obstetrician who will be performing the delivery.
In preparation, you should investigate the various storage facilities and consider issues such as technique, reputation, and cost.
Cord Blood Banking – A natural
lifeline.
Umbilical cord blood was successfully used for the first time in Paris
in 1988. A child with a rare but lethal form of anemia (Fanconi’s
anemia) was treated and survived. This transplant marked the first of
what has become a lifesaving measure for more than 50 conditions including
hereditary diseases and cancer. Umbilical cord blood is rich in stem cells
which are the building blocks of the blood and the immune system. These
biologically unique cells have the ability to develop into other cell
types within the body. Stem cells collected from the umbilical cord have
the ability to replace bone marrow and to produce various blood and immune
cells.
The cells can be used not only in the person from which they were originated, but also in relatives and non-relatives. The risk of rejection and other complications is significantly lower than that associated with a bone marrow transplant, which is currently the most common form of treatment of certain conditions.
In the future, umbilical cord blood stem cells may be used to treat conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis and stroke.
Collection of umbilical cord blood is simple and safe. It poses no risk or discomfort to the mother or newborn child. The blood is extracted from the placenta after the baby is born and after the umbilical cord has been cut. If not collected at the time of delivery, this precious blood is discarded along with the placenta.
The decision to bank umbilical cord blood is best made by the 28th week of pregnancy. This allows you ample time to discuss the procedure with your obstetrician and to choose the facility that best fits your needs.
What are the chances that the cord blood
will be used?
Cord blood banking should be used as a form of medical insurance. Like
many other insurance policies, you hope that you will never need it. Various
studies have estimated the likelihood of having to use your stored cord
blood to be 1:2700 to 1:1400.
The cost of cord blood banking ranges from $900 and $2000 for the first
year. The average cost is $1200 for the first year and $90 a year thereafter.
Payment plans are usually available.
How do I choose a cord blood bank?
When choosing a cord blood bank, you should do your own research as well
as speak to your obstetrician. Factors to consider when making the final
decision include:
Cord blood banking is slowly becoming standard practice. It is a form of medical insurance that when needed can make the difference between life and death. The stem cells from cord blood can be used to treat a wide range of diseases. It can be used for the child as well as family members. The choice of facilities should be made after careful consideration and in communication with your OB/GYN.