Cord Blood Preservation

Cord blood preservation is a new way to preserve stem cells for future use as well as for research. Cord blood is blood that remains in the placenta and umbilical cord after a live human birth. Following birth, the umbilical cord is cut and the placenta and remaining cord and blood are disposed of. This blood has been found to be a rich source of stem cells that are unique to your genetic makeup. These stem cells are the master cells of the body and have the potential to reproduce into many different types of cells. Stem cells are the building blocks of your body.

Recent scientific research has found that the use of these stem cells can help the body to reproduce disease-free cells in many organs of the body including muscles, nerves and organs. Until recently the best source of stem cells was considered to be in embryos and there is much controversy surrounding the collection of cells from this source. The exciting news is that cord blood cells can be used in the same way with the same positive results.

It isextracted from the umbilical cord is stored in special bags or syringes and couriered to the bank center. The unit of blood collected is then labeled with the donor's name, date of birth, and other details.

Cord Blood Bank Implies Cost - Preserving stem cell cord blood for deployment purposes, at a later stage, entails cost of storage. It is not a free service and usually accompanies a substantial processing fee followed by sizeable annual storage fee. The entire payment scheme works out to be on the expensive side. One might consider this as positive investment, especially considering the benefits rendered by cord blood banking, however all pockets might not have the capacity to make such extensive investments as cord blood banking.

Public Donation Versus Preservation For Private Use - The preserved stem cell cord blood can also be donated in public banks for general use. This in fact is one source from where many of today's requirements are being catered.

Week by week pregnancy is a very sensitive phase, which at every stage is faced with a new challenge. From working out the financials for the new family members, to making appropriate arrangements in the monthly schedule to follow, both mother and father remain occupied. In such times it might seem that an issue like cord blood preservation can simply wait and other concerns that are of immediate concern during the week by week pregnancy scheduler must assume priority.