Cord blood is the blood that remains in the placenta and umbilical cord after a baby is born. This blood contains loads of stem cells---the cells from which all other cells are created. Until the end of the 20th century, this blood was merely discarded as medical waste. However, some new parents choose to collect this blood to be used in the treatment of some blood diseases.
Time Frame
Collection of the cord blood happens immediately after a baby is born and the umbilical cord has been cut. The remaining blood in the cord is brought into a collection bag. Blood can be collected after either a vaginal birth or a C-section.
Process
According to Nemours Health Care System, cord blood collection is done using a kit that you order during your pregnancy. If your baby is delivered vaginally, the cord is clamped, then cut. Usually, the blood is collected before the placenta is delivered. The doctor or nurse unclamps one side of the cord and inserts a tube into the umbilical vein to collect the blood. After the blood has been collected, the doctor or nurse places needles into the placenta to collect additional cells. If your baby has been delivered via a Cesarean section, the blood is collected after the baby has been delivered and your uterus has been sutured. Less blood is collected during C-section deliveries.
Uses
According to ViaCord, cord blood stem cells are used in the treatment of nearly 80 life-threatening diseases, including cancers, blood disorders, genetic diseases and immune system deficiencies. Additionally, more uses for this blood are constantly being discovered, and researchers are working on treatments for diabetes, cerebral palsy and brain injury using cord blood.
Considerations
Cord blood banking is not done routinely in hospitals or birthing centers---you must plan to have this done in advance of your child being born. Parents who choose to bank the blood usually do so because they already have a child or close relative with a disease that cord blood can be used to treat.
Banking blood is expensive. It costs several hundred dollars for the banking kit, approximately $1,200 initially to store the blood, plus a $100 yearly maintenance fee. According to Nemours, some doctors and organizations fear that banking facilities capitalize on the fears of new parents like you pressure you into collecting the blood when it is not necessary. The likelihood of your child ever needing his own blood is small, and there is no evidence that using self-donated cells instead of cells from a relative or stranger is safer or more effective.
Risks
Collecting your baby's cord blood is painless and does not pose any risk to either you or your baby. According to the Mayo Clinic, if the cord blood isn't collected for preservation or research, it's simply discarded.
