For over 30 years umbilical cord blood has been used medicinally. But what exactly is cord blood and why should you consider storing your baby’s?

Umbilical cord blood is the blood which is left in the placenta and umbilical cord after a baby has been born and the cord has been cut. The blood left in the cord and placenta is rich in stem cells. These not only have the ability to become more specialised cells but have not been subjected to years of the ageing process like stem cells found in grown adults. Your baby’s cord blood is the richest and purest source of stem cells they could ever have.

Stem cells

These are the building blocks of the human body. They are present in our bodies to help repair and replace damaged and diseased tissue. Today, stem cells are an approved therapy for over 80 illnesses. Additionally they are being investigated in thousands of clinical trials. Often, when a person needs a stem cell therapy they will turn to a public bank for a match. The beauty of your baby’s cord blood is that the stem cells within it are a 100% match to your baby.

Over ten years ago it was estimated that one in three people could benefit from a stem cell therapy in their lifetime. Today, the chances are even greater. As more discoveries are being made, the more these precious cells could be utilised.

Families in the UK may consider umbilical cord blood banking with a private bank for various reasons. Private umbilical cord blood banking is a service offered by Cells4Life who collect, process, and store a baby’s umbilical cord blood for potential future use. Here are some reasons why families in the UK might consider this option:

Medical Benefits

Umbilical cord blood is rich in stem cells, which can be used in the treatment of various medical conditions. For example blood disorders, immune system disorders, and certain cancers. Banking cord blood privately ensures that the family has access to these potentially life-saving stem cells if needed for the child or other family members.

Family History

Furthermore if there is a family history of diseases that can be treated with cord blood stem cells, such as leukaemia or sickle cell anaemia, private cord blood banking can provide a valuable resource for future treatments. They can also help with other chronic ailments such as asthma, as they have been found in trials to improve lung function.

Autologous Use

In addition cord blood collected from a baby can be used for autologous transplantation. This means the child can use their own cord blood in the future if they develop a condition that requires stem cell therapy. Private banking ensures that this option is available.

Limited Public Banking

In the UK, there is a limited number of public cord blood banks. Furthermore access to publicly banked cord blood is typically reserved for specific medical purposes. Moreover private banking allows families to have their own reserved cord blood units. This provides more control and flexibility.

Research and Clinical Trials

But also private cord blood banks may facilitate participation in clinical trials or research studies using stored cord blood. This can contribute to advancements in medical science.

Peace of Mind

Additionally private cord blood banking provides peace of mind to parents. Especially knowing that they have taken proactive steps to secure a potential resource that may benefit their child’s health in the future.

Cord blood banking with Cells4Life is compatible with home births, NHS hospital births, private hospital births, “natural” births, caesarean births, and multiple births. Thanks to their exclusive processing technology, Cells4Life can yield up to 3 times more stem cells from a sample. This means that their service is also ideal for delayed cord clamping and optimal cord clamping. Most importantly giving parents the best of both worlds.

Finally parents only have one chance to store their baby’s cord blood – at birth. Once the opportunity has passed, it is lost forever, because of this every parent should be able to make an informed choice about what happens to their baby’s cord blood.

To find out more about cord blood banking visit Cells4Life.com.