Cord blood banking has become a popular topic over the last few years. We know that the umbilical cord is loaded with amazing stem cells, so why don’t we do something with those? Deciding if you should purchase cord blood banking is a big decision that expecting parents face.
There is a lot of science and information behind cord blood banking, and it can all be so confusing! This article is going to break down cord blood collection into small, readable snippets for you so that you can decide if it’s right for your family.
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What is cord blood?
Cord blood is the blood that is in the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord is what connects the fetus to the placenta. In the umbilical cord are two veins and one artery. Some of the blood is collected from the umbilical cord and sent to the cord blood bank, if you request it beforehand (key point: you cannot decide at birth – you have to plan for it before birth!)
Cord blood is the extra blood left in the umbilical cord after the baby is born. Collecting cord blood causes no harm or discomfort to the mom or baby.
Why save cord blood?
Cord blood is loaded with stem cells, which are used to treat a variety of diseases. There is a lot of research being done on stem cells right now, meaning that there will be more and more diseases treated with stem cells in the coming years.
What is cord blood banking?
Cord blood banking is taking some of the blood from the umbilical cord and saving it for the stem cells. There are many different companies in the United States that store cord blood in case you need to use it later in life.
If I don’t do cord blood banking, what happens to the umbilical cord blood?
Typically, the umbilical cord and placenta are disposed of as medical waste.
Oftentimes, a small tube of umbilical cord blood is sent to the hospital’s laboratory after birth. Otherwise, it is disposed of.
How is it collected
Immediately after the baby is born, the cord is clamped and cut. If you choose to do cord blood banking, your provider will save some of that blood from the part of the cord that is not attached to the baby after the cord is cut.
The company you choose for cord blood banking will provide you with a collection kit and instructions. You can give this to your doctor, and they will take care of getting the blood. Then, a courier will come and get the collection kit to bring to the lab.
What is it used for?
According to MiracleCord, one of the leaders in cord blood banking, there are 80 diseases and conditions that can benefit from cord blood stem cells. This includes leukemia, lymphoma, some anemias, blood disorders, immune disorders, metabolic disorders, and more.
Some research is even suggesting that it may soon be beneficial in treating type 1 diabetes, heart conditions, and even autism! Every year there is more and more research supporting the use of stem cells, and umbilical cords contain way more stem cells than bone marrow.
Additionally, other family members can use the cord blood if they are a match to it. It’s a great idea to collect cord blood for each of your children, but if that isn’t possible, banking one child’s is a good bet.
Can I still do delayed cord clamping?
In most cases, yes. The current guidelines say that keeping the cord intact for the first three minutes is most beneficial, and there is likely still enough blood in the cord beyond that point.
However, the doctor may determine at birth that cord is small or weakened, and they may not be able to collect off of the cord and do delayed cord clamping. Discuss with your doctor if they think they will be able to do both beforehand.
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Should I do it?
The biggest reason people choose against cord blood collection is cost. If it’s something you can afford, you should strongly consider it. You certainly won’t regret it if you need it.
A strong family history of any of the following would be a good reason to collect cord blood:
- Cancers
- Anemias
- Blood disorders
- Immune disorders
- Other disorders that would benefit from stem cell use
There is still a ton of research being done on stem cells, and it’s very likely that throughout your child’s lifetime there will be cures or treatments to many new diseases using stem cells.
According to MiracleCord, it’s estimated that 1 in 3 people would benefit from stem cell therapy throughout their lifetime.
There is no risk of Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) when a child’s own cord blood is used. GVHD occurs when the body rejects the transplanted cells. It is associated with a very high mortality rate.
How much does it cost?
There are several different pricing plans, so you’ll need to do some research to see if it’s affordable to you. You can expect cord blood banking to cost a few hundred dollars per month. There is the initial banking fee, and then a monthly or yearly cost to store the cord blood.
I chose to feature MiracleCord in this post because of their pricing, engraftment guarantee, and their collection program. MiracleCord costs hundreds to thousands lower than their competitors. They also offer a $100,000 engraftment guarantee, which means if you use your child’s stem cells and they fail to engraft, they will pay you up to $100,000 to cover the costs.
This guarantee definitely sets them apart from the competition, as they truly stand by their ability to process and store the cord blood.
What are my next steps?
Visit their website and check it out! You can request a free info kit, call them on the phone, or just enroll online.
You cannot decide that you want to collect cord blood at the time of birth. This has to be something you planned for beforehand!
If you’re on the fence about it, start with the free info kit and go from there.
Why choose MiracleCord for cord blood banking?
There are a few reasons why MiracleCord is a great company to choose.
For starters, as mentioned above, the $100,000 engraftment guarantee. Additionally, the costs are lower than other big names in cord blood banking.
The second reason they’re great is their processing system. After the cord blood is collected, a medical courier comes and picks up the sample and gets it immediately to the lab for processing. These couriers are available 24/7 to ensure timely processing of your cord blood sample.
This is important – as they are committed to keeping the sample in a temperature controlled environment to ensure you get the most out of your sample!
Many other companies gather up batches of samples to process, which delays the processing time and can affect the quality of the cells. MiracleCord ensures your sample will be processed in a timely and effective way.
Deciding to collect cord blood is a big step in thinking about your child’s future. If your finances allow it, it’s a fantastic way to ensure that if your child ever needs a stem cell transplant for any reason, you have that part covered with ease (no waiting for a donor, testing family members, etc.).
It’s a bit of a “health insurance” in a way, because you are prepared for whatever life may throw at you!
Are you planning to do cord blood collection, or are you on the fence about it? Let me know in the comments below!
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