Umbilical cord blood. It’s something that most parents don’t even give a second thought to, but if they knew just how precious it is, they wouldn’t allow it to be thrown away without a second thought. But what exactly is umbilical cord blood? Well, as the name suggests, it is the blood left in the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby has been born and the cord has been cut. This blood is the richest source of stem cells that that baby will ever have and what’s more, it is a perfect match to the baby and has a 40-60% chance of matching the baby’s siblings. In addition to that, umbilical cord blood is easier to match to others than other sources of stem cells such as bone marrow and peripheral blood.
Hematopoietic stem cells
One type of stem cell found in cord blood is hematopoietic stem cells, which have the potential to develop into various types of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Hematopoietic stem cells are crucial for the production of blood in the body and play a vital role in the immune system.
Stem cells are an approved therapy for over 80 illnesses, including cancers, blood disorders, and some autoimmune conditions. With over 5,000 clinical trials investigating the application of cord blood and stem cells, their use should grow in the future.
Regenerative Medicine
One area of research which is of particular interest to scientists is that of regenerative medicine. This field of research uses stem cells to repair or replace damaged, diseased, or dead tissues. Today, there has been success with growing replacement valves, tissues, and even bladders. The beauty of being able to grow replacement tissues in the lab using a patient’s own stem cells is that the body will immediately recognise the tissue as its own thus omitting the risk of rejection and a lifetime of anti-rejection drugs.
Cord Blood Banking
Cord blood banking is pain free, risk free, and non-invasive for both mother and baby. In addition, cord blood banking is compatible with the following birth choices:
- “Natural” birth
- Caesarean birth
- Multiple Birth
- Home Birth
- NHS hospital birth
- Private hospital birth
- Delayed cord clamping
Many believe delayed cord clamping and umbilical cord blood banking are incompatible. This is not the case. Cells4Life can yield up to 3 times more stem cells thanks to their exclusive processing technology, which has been peer-reviewed[3]. More cells mean more options and more therapies.
By choosing to store their baby’s cord blood in a family bank like Cells4Life, the family will have exclusive use of the sample for approved therapies, experimental therapies, and clinical trials.
Conclusion
While no one likes to think of their child becoming ill, cord blood banking can give peace of mind, akin to an insurance policy. You never want to use it, but if you need to, you’re covered. The most important thing is that parents are aware of cord blood banking and the potential benefits for their family and can make an informed decision on such an important issue regarding this precious blood. After all, the only chance to store it is at birth, or it is lost forever.
