A Brief Glimpse of Cord Blood Storage Process and How it Works

For most expectant parents, cord blood and tissue banking are experiences beyond compare. The umbilical cord contains blood rich in stem cells that are untainted. These stem cells can morph into various kinds of blood cells, making them a pivotal treatment for several diseases related to the blood and immune system of the body. Expectant mothers often worry about the complexity of the procedure. Although collecting and storing cord blood might seem complex, it is a simple procedure that poses no threat to the mother and baby.

How does it Work?

Collection of the blood left in the umbilical cord after delivery is a new experience for those unaware of the benefits of cord blood banking. The stem cells in the cord blood are rich in hematopoietic cells and can replicate different blood cells. It can morph into red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells. After delivery, the surgeon clamps the umbilical cord and cuts it. The blood is then collected from the umbilical vein by inserting a needle into the vein. A sterile bag is used for the collection of cord blood. The collected blood is then transported to a storage facility, either a private or a public cord blood bank. Safe and timely transit is essential to maintain the quality of cord blood.

It is vital to ensure that the cord blood is stored in a temperature-controlled environment while it is in transit. Once the cord blood reaches the blood bank, physicians check them for infectious diseases, cell count, sterility, blood grouping, and stem cell viability. Blood banks separate the stem cells from the cord blood before storage. It is tested to match the recipient’s blood while undergoing transplants.

Cord blood storage

Proper storage is essential to prevent contamination of the cord blood and tissues. The blood specimens are wrapped and stored in liquid nitrogen in vapor form. The process is known as cryogenic preservation, where the blood cells are frozen under -196-degree C. Cord blood banks need to ensure accurate temperature for storage so that you can access your baby’s stem cells even after 20 years.

Now that you know about cord blood storage and preservation, do you consider banking your baby’s cord blood for the future? You can discuss the pros and cons of banking cord blood with your gynecologist or pediatrician. Utilizing the services of a private cord blood bank can be an expensive affair, considering the slim chances of using these stem cells in the future. It is a medical decision with financial obligations. But you can always choose to donate cord blood to a public blood bank.

In a nutshell, it is possible to store cord blood for many decades and use it to cure diseases that were once considered incurable.

HealthBanks provides stem and immune cells banking, cord blood banking (healthbanks.us/Cord-Blood-Storage), and umbilical cord tissue banking services. These cells can be used to treat many diseases including metabolic disorders, blood related issues, and used in immunotherapies to treat cancer. To know more, visit https://healthbanks.us/company/.