Umbilical cord blood is a source of stem cells that can be stored for future use. During childbirth, the umbilical cord blood is collected and immediately packaged and shipped to the umbilical cord blood bank. Umbilical cord blood is rich in stem cells that are useful for treating diseases that compromise the immune system, such as leukemia. Cord blood may replace the need for bone marrow transplants if the right type is available. “Umbilical cord blood contains many types of blood cells, but only the hematopoietic—or blood-making—stem cells are currently useful for transplant,” explains the American Assocation of Blood Bank’s “Umbilical Cord Blood Donation FAQ.” “Each source of hematopoietic progenitor cells (bone marrow, peripheral blood, or cord blood) has advantages and disadvantages associated with its use in a transplant.” While umbilical cord stem cells are limited in use, researchers continue to seek new uses, so umbilical cord blood banked today may someday be much more useful than current technology allows.
Women have the option of storing cord blood for personal and family use. It is easily collected during childbirth and is painless and risk-free.
Choosing an Umbilical Cord Blood Bank
Speak with your obstetrician about umbilical cord banking. He or she may work with a particular blood bank and will be able to guide you through the process. Choose a cord blood bank that is accredited with the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). If you do not wish to bank the cord blood, then your obstetrician can make arrangements to donate the blood with your permission.
The obstetrician collects the blood within 15 minutes of childbirth, after the placenta and the umbilical cord are detached from the mother. This is done either by lifting the placenta and umbilical cord to drain the cord blood into a bag, or by removing the cord blood from the umbilical cord with a syringe. Your obstetrician is responsible for ensuring the delivery of the cord blood to the lab facility of your choice within 48 hours.
The lab facility prepares the cord blood for freezing by separating the stem cells from the red blood cells and plasma and placing them in several vials. The vials are slowly exposed to increasingly colder temperatures. This slow freezing process lessens the likelihood of damage to the stem cells. The vials are then stored in nitrogen tanks at the cord blood bank.
Umbilical Cord Blood Banking Cost
The cost of cord blood banking varies among cord blood banks. “The initial fee will range from $900 to $2100 depending on the predetermined period of storage,” the American Pregnancy Association states in their article, “Cord Blood Banking.” “Annual storage fees beyond the initial storage fee are approximately $100.” Some facilities offer prepayment discounts or payment plans.
Umbilical cord blood banking is an investment in your family or child’s health. Umbilical cord blood use is currently limited, but future advancements in medicine may find new benefits that give great returns on this investment.
