When a mother is still pregnant with her child, the umbilical cord is actually considered as the lifeline between the mother and the baby. Once the umbilical cord has been discarded after the baby's birth, then you will lose the chance of being able to obtain precious cells that the cord contains which are an exact match with your baby and that you can have preserved. By preserving your baby's stem cells through cord blood banking, your baby will be ensured to have a guaranteed source for perfectly matched cells that can help your child during unfortunate events (like a life threatening illness). These cells would actually come in handy when it comes to combating this disease. All you have to do is just have it set up during the time of your delivery.



However, a large number of curious expecting couples are interested in knowing more about umbilical cord blood banking. Unfortunately, a lot of rumors and misleading facts are going around regarding cord blood banking. It's important to have a clear understanding of this significant step that can prove to be a life savior!

You may also be wondering if cord blood banking can actually be beneficial to all of your kids because you may have only one child undergo the cord blood banking process. Well in cord blood banking, your baby will be well ensured that the stem cells will be a perfect match for him or her as well as in the case of having an identical twin.

Studies on transplants of umbilical cord blood have revealed a sustained engraftment, which is similar to bone marrow transplant results. Umbilical cord blood is stored cryogenically through a meticulous cord blood banking process and is available at once when needed. Research on umbilical cord blood stem cell has revealed its potential to treat Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, heart attacks and strokes, and spinal cord injuries.

But how does one actually collect stem cells for cord blood banking? Well, the collection process for cord blood banking will actually take place right after the delivery of a baby wherein the cord has already been separated from the newborn infant. This is in no way will be able to interfere with the birth of the baby. The attending physician or nurse or even midwife will be the one to collect the cord blood for the cord blood banking by utilizing it in a sterile kit which will be provided by the Cord Partners Blood Center. The collected cord blood will then be sealed in a specially designed package for cord blood banking and will then be delivered to the cord blood banking laboratory for the testing as well as the processing. In the end, the sample will be cryogenically stored for the cord blood banking until it is needed by the owner.

Another concern by mothers when it comes to cord blood banking is how safe will cord blood banking be for the baby as well as for the mother; if there will be any pain or discomfort involved in the whole cord blood banking process. When it comes to cord blood banking, the first priority will always be the well being of the baby.

The stem cell extraction for the cold banking process will actually be very safe both for the baby as well as for the baby's mother because the blood for cord blood banking will be collected right after the umbilical cord has already been separated from the baby. Afterwards, blood will also be extracted from the mother for the cord blood banking process. The baby, as well as the mother will not really experience any pain or discomfort when it comes to cord blood banking.