Should i? Should I not?
From the 1st day you met your babies, you will probably be delighted with all the surprises your little one is giving you everyday. Your child’s first smiles, first steps, first word, birthday parties, sports events, holidays and life milestones. You will probably be planning their futures with visions on what they will become. Your little one ever becoming seriously ill will probably be the last thing on your mind.
But some parents do consider the possibility that a serious illness that might be inborn or might someday affect their child. They make a choice on the day their baby is born that might impact the future health of that child or even their other children. They’re deciding to bank their newborn’s cord blood.
So, what is cord-blood banking, and is it right for you?
The blood that remains in your baby’s umbilical cord after it has been cut is rich in stem cells. These valuable newborn stem cells are genetically unique to your baby and family and can only be collected in the minutes after your baby’s birth.
What are blood-forming stem cells? These are primitive (early) cells found primarily in the bone marrow that are capable of developing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Cord-blood stem cells may also have the potential to give rise to other cell types in the body.
How is the cord blood collected?
Collection of the cord blood takes place shortly after birth. It’s done using a specific kit that parents must order ahead of time from their chosen cord-blood bank.
After a vaginal delivery, the umbilical cord is clamped on both sides and cut. In most cases, an experienced obstetrician or nurse collects the cord blood before the placenta is delivered. One side of the umbilical cord is unclamped, and a small tube is passed into the umbilical vein to collect the blood. After blood has been collected from the cord, needles are placed on the side of the surface of the placenta that was connected to the fetus to collect more blood and cells from the large blood vessels that fed the fetus.
During cesarean births, cord-blood collection is more complicated because the obstetrician’s primary focus in the operating room is tending to the surgical concerns of the mother. However, less cord blood is usually collected when delivery is by c-section. The amount collected is important because the more blood collected, the more stem cells collected.
After cord-blood collection has taken place, the blood is couriered to the cord-blood bank on the same day. Once there, the stem cells are separated from the rest of the blood and are stored frozen in liquid nitrogen) in a cord-blood bank. Then, if needed, blood-forming stem cells can be thawed and used.
How long can blood-forming stem cells last when properly stored?
Theoretically, stem cells should last forever, but cord-blood research has only been ongoing since the 1970s, so the maximum time for storage and potential usage are still being determined. Blood-forming stem cells that have been stored for more than a decade have been used successfully in transplants.
By banking your baby’s cord blood stem cells you could benefit from breakthrough uses and be prepared for the unknowns in life. Stem cells are showing promise in the treatment of brain injury and juvenile diabetes and have already been used to treat nearly 70 diseases, saving many lives.
Even tough no cord blood banking organization will be able to guarantee whether the cord blood bank with them can definitely be used when needed, but its still a hope. I called it a life insurance.
Here are a few questions to consider before choosing a cord-blood bank:
No comments:
Post a Comment