Cord blood is the remaining blood in the umbilical cord once the baby has been delivered. Normally, cord blood is disposed off with placenta and umbilical cord after birth. Stem cells in cord blood is extremely useful as they are not as controversial as stem cells from embryos. Cord blood stem cells have wider uses than stem cells taken from bone marrow.

Cord blood stem cells are capable of developing into a different types of cells like muscle, nerve or blood cells. These cells can repair damaged cells and the immune system. They are capable of treating kidney disease, stroke, liver disease, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and injury to the spinal cord.

Cord blood may indeed be the way of the future. Currently, it can treat more than 75 diseases, immune deficiencies and other conditions. It is effective for treatment of certain types of cancer, blood disorders and auto-immune diseases. The cord blood can be used not only by your child, but also other family members.

There have been several breakthroughs in stem cell research where scientists have been able to create bone and cartilage, grow lung and liver cells from cord blood stem cells. These cells could eventually be placed into the human body so that they can repair any organs that are damaged. This should reduce the need for organ donors. Scientists are hoping that these stem cells can grow into organs inside or outside the human body to save thousands of lives. Because the organ is produced from your own tissue there is much less chance that the body will reject the it.

There are two types of cord blood banks, public and private. If you want to keep the cord blood for your own family's use then you should choose a private bank. However private banks are very expensive as you need to pay a fee to collect the blood, and an annual fee to store it. There are certain situations where people should store the blood privately. Parents with children in ethnic minority groups are encouraged to bank the cord blood as it can be tough to find a bone marrow match. If there is a family history of diseases which can be treated with cord blood then you should seriously consider private cord blood banking.

Cord blood stored in a public bank can be used by anyone who needs it.

If you do decide that you want to store your baby's cord blood, you need to discuss this with your doctor well in advance. There is a lot of preparation to be made before the blood can be collected, you need to discuss this and make arrangements at least a month before the due date of your baby. You will then be asked to fill out the relevant paperwork and inform the hospital.