|
Stem Cell Harvesting >> What is Cord Blood Banking?
What is Cord Blood Banking
Cord blood banking, also known as stem cell harvesting, is where stem cells are collected at birth from a baby's umbilical cord and placenta.
The Cord Blood Banking Process
To bank your baby's cord blood you need to contact one the specialist companies that deal with cord blood banking. It is best to contact them during your pregnancy as soon as you think you may be interested. Once you have agreed to go ahead with the process you will normally be asked to pay a small deposit and you will be sent information and a pack for collecting the blood from your baby.
Once you are in established labour you will need to contact the company so they can arrange for a courier to arrive at the hospital, or wherever you will give birth, to pick up the cord blood and transport it. Regulations insist that cord blood is collected by an appropriately qualified person such as a midwife, a nurse or a doctor with suitable training and experience.
Once the sample arrives at its destination it is usually screened then frozen. Samples may be stored at different venues in case anything happens to one of the venues. Some companies, as well as freezing a sample for a private bank (for your family's use), will give you the option of storing a sample in a public bank, which may be of benefit to anyone that needs donated stem cells.
Prices for stem cell harvesting vary from company to company, but you should expect to pay a minimum of £1,000, with a possible small annual fee for storage of the stem cells.
The benefits of Cord Blood Banking / Stem Cell Harvesting
Stem cells taken from umbilical cord blood are used today to treat a number of blood diseases, including leukaemia and anaemia. Research indicates that cord blood stem cells could have future possibilities in the treatment of a wider range of diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, strokes, osteoporosis, skin burns, osteoarthritis and tendon, muscle and ligament injuries.
|