Cord Blood Stem Cells Information

Why bank your babies blood cord?

I am pregnant with my first baby, and in magazines I read a lot of advertisements on banking your child's umbilical cord. Could someone explain the purpose of this. Is this to help in regards to stem cell research? What would be the plus side to donating? Why would some people decide not to do this? I just have no idea, what the purpose is and would like to make an informed decision. Some of your answers stated that it is costly to bank the blood rather then donate? Although money is no issue when it comes to my babies health, how much does it cost to bank it?

Public Comments

1. newborns cord blood is the...i guess cleanest blood. So if you bank it it will be there if they need it for anything. Its healthy blood i guess is what you can say. Or if it matches someone that needs blood in your family you can use it then too. I was going to go it since my fiances dad has to have another pancreas transplant, but then i remembered that its not his biological dad so it might not work so well, but im still thinking about doing it, becuase that way it will be there if we or anyone else needs it :) as opposed to it just being tossed.
2. Your baby’s cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, which are the body’s “master cells.” These are genetically unique building blocks for blood, organs, tissue, and the immune system. Stem cells reproduce and differentiate into other cell types, including bone, heart, muscle, and nerve. In transplantation, stem cells differentiate into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, the three types of cells necessary for healthy blood and a sound immune system. This is the miracle of cord blood. When you bank your baby’s cord blood, you preserve a unique biological resource that is like a "self-repair kit" for your child. Uses of Stem Cells Stem cell transplants provide new stem cells to replace damaged, diseased, or defective cells. Stem cells can actively divide and produce new blood cells within two to six weeks. They will stimulate regeneration of the blood components in the bone marrow damaged by high doses of chemotherapy or radiation. Stem cells can correct diseases in which the marrow is diseased, or does not function properly – such as leukemia and lymphoma. They can correct defects in children with inherited or inborn errors of metabolism They can produce other types of cells that travel to the brain, liver, and other organs.
3. Well, I'm a complete advocate of this procedure. Although it can be expensive to do so, you have the option of either donating the baby's cord blood, or banking it for your baby's or someone else in your family's use. The blood types have to match, but yes, it is used for stem cell research, which don't let anyone fool you, when used for medical research (without the obligitory harm of animals or people) is very useful in the prevention and reversal of diseases. This happens when you donate. If you bank it for your use, it can help with a number of life-threatening diseases, facilitating a cure and/or reversal of damage and symptoms. It's quite precious really. The reason a lot of people don't do it, is because a lot of people who get pregnant are not aware of the option at all, they're uneducated about its uses, can not afford to bank or donate it, or do not believe in its uses (i.e. stem cell research). I was actually involved in a study (in college as an Intern) where we used stem cells to study calcification (or hardening) of aortas in the heart. Through this research I was personally able to facilitate not only prevention, but reversal of calcification, which lead to a drug on the market now for people at risk of heart disease and strokes. This is the kind of thing cord blood is used for in babies now. Cases like spina bifida, heart deficiencies , blood transfusions, etc. So, if you're interested in the procedure, ask your OB. They'll most certainly be able to give you pros and cons on it, and help you make an informed desicion. If your healthcare provider doesn't know about it, or doesn't want to help you, contact one of the agencies you've seen in the advertisements that house banking and donation. They'll be able to send you specific information. Good luck, and congrats on your baby! P.s. I've just heard it's expensive, but I don't know exactly how much it is. I know it depends on the facility you use. I tried looking into a real popular one - 1-800-cordblood or something to that affect, and there was no answer when I called!!!! I still think it's a good thing though, maybe not with that facility though! :-)
4. Banking is different then donating.when you bank its for your own personal use. I believe that the child it comes from can use it but it can be very vital in saving a syblings life also if it is ever needed. Donating is prolly the second most responsible thing you can do as it may save another infants life or when combined with another cord can even save a adults life.