Process Of Cord Blood Preservation

Did you know that the process of cord blood preservation starts at the time of childbirth? As soon as the baby is born, cord blood is collected from the placenta. As this cord blood is rich in stem cells that are blood-forming cells, they can be used to successfully treat blood or immune system related diseases. Let me explain the process and methods used to collect and preserve the baby cord blood.

Before cord blood can be collected, the parents need to give their assent to do so. The blood is collected either before or after the placenta is delivered as soon as it is detached from the newborn. About 250ml of cord blood is collected in special containers. The cord blood needs to reach a cord blood bank within 48 hours of collection for processing. Once it reaches the bank, it is tested for certain genetic and infectious diseases such as AIDS, malaria and sickle cell anemia. It is also checked for its tissue type. Once this is done, the red blood cells are removed and the white blood cells are retained. The blood is then frozen and stored in the cord blood bank.

Where Should You Preserve Your Cord Blood?

If you have a history of genetic blood or immune system related diseases, then you should definitely store your own cord blood in a private bank. A private cord blood bank is where you store your own cord blood for possible use by you or anybody in your family. A history of genetic diseases in your family would indicate a possibility of your own baby having one of those diseases. So don't you think it's a good idea to store your own cord blood so your baby can use it for treatment if and when required? Or if you have another child who has been diagnosed with such a disease, then you can use your newborn's cord blood to treat him or her immediately. What a wonderful way to ensure your children's healthy future.

There is also the option of donating your cord blood to a public cord blood bank, but the disadvantage here being that if either you or your child requires a cord blood transplant, your own blood will not be available. You will need to use that of an unrelated donor, which may be a close match but not a perfect match.

Cord blood preservation has been found to be very important and very useful to many families who have a history of genetic diseases. If you store your cord blood for your own future use, you ensure that your child will get immediate treatment in case he or she requires it urgently.