Cord blood banking is the process of storing the blood of the umbilical cord and the placenta after delivery. The blood contained in the umbilical cord is rich in stem cells specific to the genetic composition of your body. Stem cells have the particular ability to grow into any kind of tissue. Therefore, cord blood may prove life saving in case of fatal diseases like cancer and heart ailments.

The genetically specific stem cells in your baby’s cord blood may be used in future to treat diseases of the baby himself, its siblings or parents. If you are averse to the idea of storing cord blood as a proactive protection for your family, donate it to others. Cord blood being rich in stem cells may prove to be a savior for someone else’s life. Cord blood banking is an easy, painless and harmless process.

Methods

Your medical practitioner will use either the Syringe Method or the Bag Method to collect cord blood. The former involves drawing out blood from the umbilical cord with a syringe soon after it has been cut. The latter method involves hanging the umbilical cord for the gravitational collection of the blood in a bag. The cord blood should be collected within 15 minutes of delivery and processed within 48 hours for storage.

The cost of cord blood banking includes an initial charge for the procedure and storage. Thereafter, an annual fee has to be paid for its storage maintenance.