How is cord blood collected?
These days, more and more parents-to-be are opting to save the cord blood following their baby’s birth, which they can then either store for their own future use or can donate. Why would they want to store or donate this blood? Well, cord blood, which comes from the umbilical cord and placenta following birth, is rich in stem cells. These stem cells are adaptable, young cells that can be used to treat a wide range of diseases and illnesses, and continued research is likely to see these cells used to treat an even higher number of diseases in future years.
The stem cells from cord blood can be preserved for use by the family of the baby, and many people see this process as an investment. This is because the frozen cells could be used to treat the baby or the baby’s biological family in the event of serious illness or disease in years to come. Stem cells are already being used to treat a wide range of problems such as some cancers, metabolic disorders, some blood abnormalities, and immunodeficiency disorders.
Cord blood can also be donated by new parents following the birth of the baby, and this can then be preserved and used to treat others in the future, or even to carry out vital research into stem cell therapy in the treatment of serious diseases. The preservation of this precious cord blood can save lives in years to come, but all too often the cord blood is discarded and the stem cells go completely to waste.
Once a decision has been made to preserve the cord blood following your baby’s birth, you should ensure that you contact a cord blood bank. It is best to look into at least several banks to ensure that you select one that best meets your needs and budget. Finding a cord blood bank by around the third trimester will leave you plenty of time to get organized.
Once you have selected a cord blood bank, the bank will initiate the process and send you out the necessary documents and collection kit. You must also let the hospital know, as in order for the cord blood to be collected efficiently there will need to be an experienced and trained professional present. Letting the hospital know in plenty of time will ensure that everything is in place for the effective collection and smooth dispatch of the cord blood following your baby’s birth.
The procedure for collecting the cord blood following your baby’s birth is very simple, so there is no need for either o the parents to worry about this. Once the umbilical cord is cut, the cord blood from the remainder of the cord and the placenta is collected by a medical profession that is trained in the procedure. A blood bag or a syringe is used to make this collection, and the cord blood is then enveloped and addressed to the blood bank with which you are storing your cord blood. A courier service is usually arranged by the blood bank to ensure that the blood is collected from the hospital with speed, and that it is then quickly and efficiently delivered to the blood bank, where it can be processed and stored.
The whole process is actually very simple, making it easy for parents-to-be to opt for cord blood preservation. When you consider the potential life-saving benefits of cord blood preservation, you can see why it makes so much sense to store or donate cord blood rather than seeing such a precious commodity go to waste. With the right preparation, the cord blood collection process should run smoothly and efficiently, and once it has reached its destination – the cord blood bank – it will be processed and frozen for future use in the treatment of a range of medical problems and illnesses.
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