Cord Blood Banking Goes Public
Moms-To-Be Receive Notice on the Value of Cord Blood Banking
In the final days of pregnancy, an expectant mother receives much information – from the Doctor’s office, from the hospital, from government agencies, even from companies wanting to sell diapers and wipes. Almost assuredly, one of the pieces of information passed along to the expectant mom pertains to Cord Blood Banking.
Cord Blood Banking is still a relatively new procedure, having begun in 1990, and is already becoming common in our modern culture and maternal medicine. A new mom-to-be may ask, “Why cord blood banking?” An important question. Cord blood banking is the effective storage of umbilical cord blood captured during the transition of a new born. That’s right…as the young one begins taking his or her first breaths and the umbilical cord is being clamped, then cut, valuable cord blood is drained and preserved. As the term implies, cord blood banking involves the proper storage of the umbilical cord blood that is gathered or harvested.
Why is cord blood banking so valuable?
We can already anticipate the next question coming…”What makes cord blood so valuable?” Another important question! Cord blood contains a very high density of stem cells that can be utilized in the treatment of blood and immune system related genetic diseases, cancers and blood disorders. These hematopoietic cells are specially designed to renew themselves and have the ability to become any one of several different types of cells. This ability helps explain why cells from cord blood have contributed to the healing at least 45 different diseases. Another great benefit – the recipient does not always have to be an exact match to the donor. Current medical research is just starting to realize the importance of cord blood banking.
It is important to note that cord blood banking is not the same process as the controversial techniques having to do with embryonic stem cells. Methods of cord blood banking are in no way invasive for baby or mother, are simple, and preserve an important and vital resource. The storage process includes a gradual freezing of the cord blood cells, eventually bringing them to a cryogenic state of -190 degrees. This slow cooling insures the cells’ integrity over time and allows for future reuse. All indications are that cord blood banking will become still more common as time moves along.
Of all the information a new mom will receive as pregnancy progresses, details on cord blood banking information are very important. The process is safe and increasing in popularity; and the results are dynamic and valuable.