Cord Blood Banking

It seems like in the last part of the 20th century, and definitely in this new 21st century, that fear is an overriding decisive factor in many decisions. In few other decision-making segments does this “fear factor” apply as much as it does to parenting decisions. My article “Prenatal Care or Paranoia” gives some examples of how a little information creates fear-based decision making.

So, we come to the decision of banking cord blood. For the uninitiated, cord blood is the few ounces of blood that remain in your baby’s umbilical cord after it has been cut. The doctor collects this blood by syringe or blood bag after the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut. This isn’t too difficult and only takes a few minutes to collect the cord blood after a routine vaginal delivery.

Collecting cord blood becomes complicated during a cesarean delivery, mostly because the doctor’s primary focus at this surgery is tending to the mother’s safety. Less cord blood is usually collected at a cesarean delivery, possibly because collection must wait until baby is safely delivered, mother’s uterus has been sutured, and mother is stable.

What are some reasons for collecting and saving cord blood? The cord blood contains stem cells that are known to save a person with certain diseases. These diseases include leukemia, Hodgkins’s ,blood disorders, and heart diseases. Research is currently being done using stem cells for other conditions as well. Stem cells are a closer match and easier to use for siblings and family members than bone marrow transplants, too.