Cord blood banking has gained in popularity in the last decade or so. There is plenty of information about it online. You can also source the information from your doctor or by contacting a cord blood bank. Too much information, at the same time, can seem overwhelming. So, you can check the facts about cord blood banking here.

There are public and private cord blood banks.

You have a choice between public and private cord blood banks. Storage is free with public banks. But you will also not have the same level of control over the sample as you will have when you choose a private bank. Public banks use the samples for research or to help other families with stem cell matches. So, your cord blood sample may not be available for you if you need it in the future.

If you wish to store cord blood to secure your child’s or family’s health, it is best to opt for a private cord blood bank.

Cord blood banking requires advance planning and enrollment.

You will need to finalize a bank by the end of the second trimester or at least a few weeks before your due date. Look at different banks’ industry experience, accreditations, storage technology, and pricing before choosing one. Not all private cord blood banks are the same. So, take some time to review your options.

Enroll with the bank of your choosing. Once you register, the bank will mail you the collection kit. You may also collect it in person. Inform your doctor about your enrollment.

The collection process is quick.

Cord blood banking is simple and easy. Once your enrollment is complete, you can relax about it. Simply remember to take the collection kit with you to the hospital at the time of your delivery. Hand it over to your doctor. Once the delivery is done, your doctor will collect the cord blood as per the requirements. The process is not only quick but also painless for both the child and the mother.

You, your partner, or a family member will need to inform the bank once the cord blood is collected. The bank will send a trained medical courier to collect the kit and the forms that you will have to fill to send along with it. The medical courier will take the kit to the bank where it will be processed within 24 hours of collecting the cord blood.

The banking process is thorough.

Good banks will separate the stem cells from all the other cells present in the cord blood. The bank will also test the sample to assess the health of the stem cells. Once the testing and processing are complete, the sample is stored using advanced technology such as BioArchive®.

You will receive a report post the storage, which will contain information about the collected blood volume and the number of cells, and their viability. The bank will also provide you with an identity number to help you locate your sample in the future.

Cord blood banking is helpful as the stem cells can be used for treating many diseases.

Cord blood banking is not a frivolous expense. It can secure your child’s future against several diseases and medical conditions. One child’s cord blood can also be used for other family members. It will be a better match in all likelihood than trying to find a matching sample from public banks.

The FDA has approved the use of stem cells present in cord blood to treat about 80 medical conditions. Cord blood can be used to treat several types of cancers, metabolic disorders, immune system conditions, blood disorders, and bone marrow failure syndromes.

Some of the conditions and diseases that are treatable via cord blood stem cells are reticular dysplasia, DiGeorge syndrome, Hurler syndrome, Hunter syndrome, red cell aplasia, Omenn’s syndrome, juvenile dermatomyositis, sickle-cell anemia, β-thalassemia intermedia, Cooley’s anemia, HbSC disease, neuroblastoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, Burkitt’s lymphoma, acute myeloid leukemia, and many more.

Cord blood has proven to be an extremely useful regenerative medicine. Clinical trials are ongoing to see the viability of cord blood stem cells for treating several more diseases.