An Overview of Cord Blood Banking

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An Introduction...

My name is Jane Baker and I am a local St Louis mom. My son Jax is well into his tyrannical threes and despite the challenges and drama, is still my heart. I am a member of Parents Educator Nework (PEN), which is an advocacy group comprised of parents who are committed to educating expectant parents on the importance of banking their baby's cord blood. I personally was fortunate enough to know about cord blood banking and provided this "medical peace of mind" for my son and our family, but I have found that many parents aren't even aware of the option. So, as a member of PEN, my goal is to raise awareness for cord blood banking and provide expectant parents with accurate, objective information so that they can make an informed decision.


What is Cord Blood?

Cord blood is the blood from the umbilical cord that supplies nutrients and oxygen to an unborn child. This blood contains stem cells. Cord blood stem cells, like bone marrow stem cells, are free of political and ethical debate... Even the Pope approves of cord blood banking! Stem cells are "master cells" that have the unique ability to change into specific cells and stimulate new growth throughout the body. They are basically "baby" cells that have not yet been assigned their specific "grown up job" within the body.

Cord blood stem cells are currently being used to treat 70 different diseases including cancers (like Leukemia), blood disorders (like Sickle-cell Anemia), genetic diseases and immune system deficeiencies, and more are being added to the list every year. Recently a toddler was successfully treated for Cerebral Palsy using a transplant of his own cord blood. 

Many expecting parents are not aware that they can save their baby's cord blood, and these precious life saving cells are simply thrown away at birth.


Cord Blood is the Premier (or Best) Source of Stem Cells...

Stem cells can come from three different sources: Cord blood, bone marrow and embryos. Unlike embryonic stem cells, cord blood is a non-controversial source of stem cells and unlike bone marrow transplants, which require surgery and have a significantly lower treatment success rate, cord blood is collected in a safe painless 5-minute procedure and is a perfect match for your baby and likely a match for you and your family.


Why Should We Bank Our Baby's Cord Blood? 

Privately banking your newborn's cord blood means that should there be a need, your baby will have a source of stem cells that are an exact match, with no risk of rejection. There is also a strong possibility that his/her siblings or other family members will be a match as well. This is important because clinical studies demonstrate that stem cell transplants are twice as successful when the stem cells come from a family member rather than a non-relative (e.g., a public bank). In simple terms, your baby's cord blood is a perfect match for your baby, but can also potentially be used to treat siblings, parents or other family members.

You only get ONE chance, at the birth of your baby, to capture these stem cells. Once they are gone, you can never get them back. Think of it as a sort of "insurance" policy. The last thing you want to deal with when your child is sick, is saying, "We should have..."


What Kinds of Advances Have Been Made & What Does the Future Hold?

In 1988 the odds of being diagnosed by the age of 50 with a disease currently treatable with cord blood was 1 in 300,000 and the number of diseases treatable with cord blood was one. Today, the calculated probability of being diagnosed could be as high as 1 in 217 and the number of treatable diseases is 70. In 2002 stem cells were used to treat only 20 diseases and in 2007 it was 47 and in 2008 it is 70... Imagine the possibilities five to ten years from now! 

Medical researchers are exploring new uses for umbilical cord blood stem cells, including diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Today, scientists are doing pre-clinical research using cord blood stem cells to potentially treat various cancers and heart disease. Breakthroughs in these early stage programs could potentially increase the value of your family's cord blood stem cells. Plus many scientist and doctors believe stem cells may someday be used to help treat brain damage, spinal cord injuries, nerve and tissue regeneration and Alzheimer's disease.


This Isn't Our First Baby...

If you did not bank for your older children, you should certainly consider doing so for your next baby. Not only will the baby have their cells available, if they need them, but your older children are more likely to find a match with their siblings than anyone else. Treatments are twice as successful when the stem cells come from a family member rather than from a non-relative (e.g., a public bank).

If you did bank for your first child, all of the same reasons are valid to bank for your new baby as well. While the first child's cord blood may be a good match for other siblings, it is not a guaranteed match. Why not provide this baby with the same benefits as the last? Plus, you will have additional cells if a second transplant is necessary. Having an additional source may be what is required for successful treatment. Current research continues to show new uses for autologous treatment options (using one's own cord blood), instead of a sibling's or donated unit. Most private cord blood banks offer significant discounts for banking additional children's cord blood. 


How is Cord Blood Collected? 

Once you enroll, you will receive a collection kit with everything your medical staff needs to collect your baby's cord blood. You'll keep the kit with your pre-packed hospital luggage so it will be ready when the big day arrives. When you check in to the hospital, simply hand the kit to the nurse or doctor.

There is absolutely no risk to the mother and baby. The procedure is painless and takes less than 5 minutes. After the baby is delivered, but before the placenta is delivered, the doctor or midwife clamps the umbilical cord and the dad cuts it, just like normal. The blood that is left in the umbilical cord is then easily drained using gravity into a collection bag. It is then, depending on the company you bank with, picked up by a private courier or shipped to the collection facility. Because it is done after the baby's delivery, it is entirely painless and risk free for both mother and baby. To be honest, I didn't even realize it was taking place.


What is the Value of Private vs. Public Banking?

There are two options for storing your baby's cord blood: private banking and public banking. I recommend privately banking your baby's cord blood so that it is stored exclusively for your baby and family. If a stem cell transplant is ever necessary, with private cord blood banking, you have a guaranteed match for your baby and a potential match for other family members as well. Public banks on the other hand, store donated cord blood, which is then available to anyone that needs it (many are already on waiting lists), or it is used for studies and research. Keep in mind that with public donation there is no guarantee that it will be available if you need it in the future and if you are having a cesarean (planned or unplanned) or mutiples (twins, triplets, etc.) you will likely not be able to donate. The latest statistics show that 30% of births are by c-section. My plan was to have a vaginal birth, but complications caused me to have a c-section. If I had not privately banked, my son's cord blood would have been thrown away.


How Much Does it Cost?

Prices for private banking are about $2200 for the initial delivery and processing, plus a yearly storage fee of about $125. The company my family banked with, ViaCord, offers many different payment plans with one as low as $51 per month and payment is not due until after the birth of your baby. They also offer an online gift registry where you can invite your friends and family to help you pay for this service as a truly unique baby gift -- one that lasts a lifetime.


Who Should I Bank My Baby's Cord Blood With?

My husband and I chose ViaCord and I cannot more highly recommend them. ViaCord is not just a cord blood bank, they are the recognized industry leaders in cord blood stem cell research. ViaCord's scientific expertise is an important benefit to your family and ours. They use the highest standards throughout the cord blood's collection, processing and storage so that if it is ever needed for transplant, it will be of the highest quality. ViaCord co-developed an exclusive FDA-approved cord blood collection bag, the ONLY FDA-approved collection bag available in the industry. ViaCord's FDA-approved cord blood collection bag is suitable for use in a sterile field, which is important because over 30% of babies are delivered by planned or unplanned cesarean sections. ViaCord has a proven history of delivering safe and effective units for transplant. From the first moment we called them, until the private courier came to my bedside to pick up the cord blood, and with every regular contact since, I have only been impressed. They have well exceeded my expectations. ViaCord does not require an upfront deposit to enroll and they have many different payment plans... some starting as low as $50 per month. They also offer a wonderful Baby Registry program where your friends and family can go online to contribute towards the costs and give a truly unique baby gift that will last a lifetime.

The question I have is not, "Will you bank your baby's cord blood," but "Why wouldn't you?"


How Do I Enroll or At Least Find Out More?

To receive a no-obligation detailed information packet CLICK HERE and as my gift to you, you will receive a $100 discount when you enroll. Or call 1-888-758-5115 and be sure to mention promo code PEN#1274 to get your $100 discount.