What is cord blood banking?

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You have probably heard about stem cells on the news, mostly in the context of bone marrow transplants or potentially the ethical issues surrounding embryonic stem cells. There is, however, an alternative.

Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells. Stem cells that can be used to treat medical conditions. So … what is cord blood banking?

Curious? Read on.

What is cord blood?

Very quickly up front, cord blood is the blood left over in the umbilical cord once it has been cut and the placenta has been delivered. It is a rich source of stem cells as we have already mentioned. These stem cells can be collected and stored.

H2: What is a stem cell?

Well, what are stem cells? They are found in 3 places in the body (at different times of course):

– Adult or bone marrow stem cells

– Foetal or embryonic stem cells

– Cord blood stem cells

There are also differentiated somatic cells but those aren’t created naturally in the body.

These amazing little cells can be used to treat over 80 conditions worldwide such as leukaemia, anaemia and cancers. Stem cells are also being researched to unlock their further potential.

The placenta, remaining cord tissue and leftover cord blood are typically thrown away as medical waste. That is, of course, unless the family request to keep the placenta or store the cord blood. Banking the cord blood means that you allow the precious source of stem cells to be collected and stored for medical and therapeutic use.

If you wish to store the cord blood you can go about it 1 of 2 ways.

Public banking/donation

Around the UK there are a handful of hospitals that will allow you to donate your cord blood to a public storage bank. While the service is free it is limited to these specific hospitals making it tricky to organise for families miles away. The blood is accessible to anyone waiting on a donation list.

Private banking

Although it is a paid service, private cord blood banking can be done in almost any hospital across the UK. With private banking, you save the stem cells for the exclusive use of your child and your family. Should your child get ill they will have immediate access to a 100% genetic match stem cell sample. Plus, it is a lifelong safety net.

Should I bank?

Banking either privately or publicly is a choice that you need to make. It is completely optional. Most parts of a parent’s birth plan should be in their control. From the location to what they want to do with the after birth needs to be the parents' choice. If you want to store, do, if you want to donate go for it and if you don’t care either way then you can just let it go.