Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after the birth of a baby. It is collected after the baby is born and the umbilical cord has been cut. This blood is a rich source of stem cells (the immune system’s building blocks) that can be used to treat many life-threatening diseases such as leukemia, other cancers, blood and immune disorders, Hodgkin’s Disease, Sickle Cell Anemia and more. These stem cells are important because they reproduce into other cells such as red blood cells, which carry oxygen; white blood cells, which fight infections; and platelets, which are needed for clotting.
Umbilical Cord stem cell research does not have the controversy that embryonic stem cells have created today. Embryonic stem cells come from aborted fetuses and donated embryos, but umbilical cord stem cells require the baby to have been born. They are the closest thing to embryonic stem cells; many people consider them the best option available to use for stem cell research. These stem cells are also considered more immature and therefore, more resistant to infection.
Blood from the umbilical cord was first used for transplantation in 1988. With all the recent advances in the research, more and more families are making the decision to save their babies’ blood as an alternative transplant resource. By the year 2000, more than 2,000 transplants involving blood from an umbilical cord had been performed worldwide. The most common way to transplant stem cells from one person to another used to be with bone marrow transplantation, which is a complex procedure. However, the blood within the umbilical cord is a better source of stem cells than bone marrow and also eliminates some problems with bone marrow transplants. With your child’s umbilical cord stem cells readily available, you wouldn’t have to worry about finding a suitable match for your child and the transplant has a lesser chance of being rejected.
If you are having a baby and want to look into an umbilical cord donation, make sure you know all the information about it such as any costs that may be involved, what your insurance will cover, who in your family it could be used for, etc. There are also unique situations that have to be taken into account such as if you are having twins or you are putting the baby up for adoption. All these factors need to be looked into before you make your decision about whether to save or donate.
Many people worry about the safety of the mother and child with blood collection; however, there is no risk or pain for either the mother or the baby because it is collected after the baby is born and the umbilical cord has been cut. It is a quick and easy process taking on average, only about 3-7 minutes.
By saving your baby’s stem cells from his or her cord blood, he or she will have a source of perfectly matched cells if needed for any illnesses or life-threatening diseases that need to be fought through transplantation. You could also donate and let it be used as a transplant for someone else. The blood fromy your baby's umbilical cord could make a big difference in either his or her life or the life of someone else. If you are having a baby, be sure to research the information available– it could save a life, even your own child.
By Janelle Walker