The Top Benefits of Cord Blood Banking, Explained

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t always come up during baby showers or prenatal classes, but probably should: cord blood banking. Cord blood is the blood remaining in the umbilical cord after your baby is born. It’s packed with hematopoietic stem cells, which can be used to help treat several types of diseases. Cord blood banking is the process of collecting cord blood and storing stem cells in case your child or another family member needs them for treatment in the future.

While it might sound a little sci-fi at first, it’s an empowering and forward-thinking decision you can make as a new parent. Let’s take a closer look at what cord blood banking is, the top benefits it offers, and why more families are choosing to bank their baby’s cord blood.

First things first: What is cord blood?

After your baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut, there’s a small amount of blood left in the cord. This blood is rich in powerful stem cells that can be used to treat a variety of serious medical conditions, including certain cancers, blood disorders, and metabolic conditions.

Cord blood is usually thrown away after your baby is born, but parents have the option to preserve it. With cord blood banking, you can save your baby's stem cells for potential future use, either for your child or another family member.

Top reasons parents choose to bank cord blood

There are many reasons parents choose to bank their baby's cord blood. Here are the top benefits that make it worth considering:

It could save a life

Let’s start with the big one. Cord blood can be used in medical treatments for over 80 conditions, including some immune system disorders, genetic diseases, neurological conditions, and certain cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. If your child or a sibling, or immediate family member were ever diagnosed with one of these conditions, the stem cells in their cord blood could potentially be used to treat their illness.

Although the likelihood of your child developing one of these life-threatening conditions is low, it's a "just in case" decision that can help provide immense peace of mind. It's the kind of thing you hope you never need, but will be incredibly grateful to have if you do.

It’s completely safe and painless

One of the best things about cord blood banking is that it's completely safe and painless for both the birthing parent and baby. The collection happens after your baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut and clamped, so there's no pain, risk, or interference with your labor, delivery, or bonding time. The process takes about ten minutes, and you may not even notice it’s happening because your doctor or midwife takes care of everything.

It's conveniently stored

Once collected, the cord blood is sent to a secure facility, or cord blood bank, where it’s processed, frozen and carefully stored. That means it’s ready and conveniently available should you ever need it for an approved use or clinical trial.

It has the potential to treat new conditions

Medical science is always evolving. Right now, cord blood can be used to help treat over 80+ conditions, but researchers are exploring even more ways that these powerful stem cells could be used in the future. We can’t predict exactly where science will go, but the possibilities are expanding fast. By banking your baby’s cord blood now, you’re giving your family access to future medical advances that may not even exist yet.

It’s a small act with a big impact

Pregnancy comes with a lot of decisions, and it can feel overwhelming. But when it comes to cord blood banking, it’s a small choice that can have a significant impact. It doesn’t require any major changes to your birth plan, and it won’t affect your labor. It’s a simple step that could potentially make a big difference for your family’s future.

Why more families are choosing Cord Blood Registry®  for cord blood banking

More and more parents are turning to Cord Blood Registry (CBR) for cord blood banking, and for good reason. CBR has been the top choice of expecting parents and OB/GYNs alike, thanks to its reputation as the most trusted and widely recommended cord blood bank.

With more than one million newborn stem cell samples stored from cord blood and cord tissue, CBR is a trusted option for families considering newborn stem cell preservation. Families are drawn to the peace of mind it provides, knowing that these stem cells are safely preserved and ready to use if needed.

You’ve got a lot on your plate right now, and growing a human is no small feat. It can be reassuring to know you have options. For some families, cord blood banking is one way to feel more prepared as they think about the future. At the end of the day, it’s about making the choices that feel right for you and your family.

Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with Cord Blood Registry, use promo code SCRP at cordblood.com for 50% off CBR’s annual bundle, including processing, shipping, and the first year of storage.*

 

*Parent will be responsible for annual storage fee after the first year. Storage fees are subject to change.

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Disclaimer: The use of cord blood is determined by the treating physician and is influenced by many factors, including the patient's medical condition, the characteristics of the sample, and whether the cord blood should come from the patient or an appropriately matched donor. Cord blood has established uses in transplant medicine; however, its use in regenerative medicine is still being researched. There is no guarantee that potential medical applications being studied in the laboratory or clinical trials will become available.

Cord tissue use is still in early research stages, and there is no guarantee that treatments using cord tissue will be available in the future. Cord tissue is stored whole. Additional processing prior to use will be required to extract and prepare any of the multiple cell types from cryopreserved cord tissue. CBR Systems, Inc.’s activities for New York State residents are limited to collection of umbilical cord tissue and long-term storage of umbilical cord–derived stem cells. CBR Systems, Inc.’s possession of a New York State license for such collection and long-term storage does not indicate approval or endorsement of possible future uses or future suitability of these cells.