Discover the essentials of umbilical cord blood banking, including collection procedures, storage options, and the life-saving potential of stem cells. Learn how parents can preserve this invaluable resource for future medical needs, and the benefits of cord blood transplants in treating serious health conditions for both children and adults.

What You Need to Know About Umbilical Cord Blood Storage

Cord blood, found within a newborn’s umbilical cord, is a rich source of stem cells capable of creating blood, tissues, and organs. Banking cord blood involves collecting this blood immediately after birth and preserving it for future medical needs. These stem cells can be life-saving in various treatments.

Parents can choose to donate their baby's cord blood to a public bank or keep it privately for personal use in the future.

The collection is painless and performed right after birth, with the following steps:

Clamping and cutting the umbilical cord
After delivery, the cord is clamped and cut. A short waiting period may be allowed for delayed cord clamping, but longer delays can cause blood clotting, affecting collection.

Extracting the blood
A needle is inserted into the umbilical vein near the placenta to draw about 100-150 ml of blood into a collection bag.

The entire process takes less than 10 minutes. The collected blood is sent to a lab for testing, processing, and cryogenic storage. Some facilities also collect umbilical tissue, which contains other types of stem cells.

Cord blood contains hematopoietic stem cells essential for producing blood and immune systems. These cells can repair tissues, organs, and blood vessels, making them vital for many medical treatments.

For severe or recurring illnesses, stem cell transplants using cord blood can restore health. They tend to be more compatible and reduce rejection risks compared to other sources.