When you hold your baby for the first time, the feelings are a mix of joy, hope and a touch of nervousness about the future. Every decision at that moment matters a lot. In that magical moment, parents think about their child’s health the most. But have you ever thought about cord blood banking? Well, it might not have crossed your mind yet because it is a medical advancement that not a lot of people know about. 

But don’t worry, we have got everything you need to know about cord blood banking.

How Does Cord Blood Banking Work?

Do you know that the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby’s born is rich in hematopoietic stem cells? 

These stem cells can develop into various types of blood cells, making them a great asset in medical treatments. That residual blood in the placenta is known as Cord blood. The process of saving this blood for later use is known as cord blood banking. 

• Cord blood is collected right after the birth. 

• A sterile needle is used to extract the blood from the placenta and umbilical cord and then sealed in a collection bag. 

• After collection, the blood is screened to remove infections and processed to separate the stem cells from other components. 

This process has nothing to do with the birthing process and is completely safe for the baby and the mother. 

What Is Cord Blood Used For?

The list of cord blood banking benefits is inspiring enough to decide to opt for it. But here are some most significant cord blood banking benefits that can future-proof your children’s health. 

• Stem cells present in the cord blood can help prevent and treat 80 diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, and even some inherited immune system disorders. 

• Some medical research is being done to use these stem cells in regenerative therapies for cerebral palsy, autism, and other neurological disorders.

• These stem cells are even ideal for stem cell transplant because these stem cells almost do not cause graft-versus-host disease. 

• Cord blood banking is also considered biological insurance for the family. With rapid increases in medical advancements and scientific discoveries, these cord blood banking benefits are likely to expand. 

Will My Baby Need Their Cord Blood?

The need for your baby to use their cord blood completely depends on their health condition. Cord blood is used to treat health issues like blood disorders, cancers and some immune system disorders that are relatively rare. So, if your baby does not have any of these disorders, he might not need cord blood. 

But medical possibilities are advancing. And you can even donate your cord blood for public use. Also, the list of diseases cord blood can treat is expanding with medical advancements. So, in the future, it will cater to some other diseases that your kid may need cord blood for. 

In short, while your baby might never need cord blood, the option to bank it provides a safeguard for the unexpected. It is a small, proactive step in the grand journey of planning for a healthy future.