The blood that remained in the umbilical cord after the baby was born was often disposed of before. However, science and modern technology have come to the ingenious conclusion that this blood from the cord of the placenta is rich in hematopoietic stem cells, and it is worth saving.
These hematopoietic stem cells can enrich blood cells with red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets later in an individual’s life. In case they are suffering from some chronic illness or a life-threatening disease due to a lack of blood cells.
Preserving cord blood cells can also help provide stem cell use during cell stem transplantation. Often, a surgery one has to go through when they deal with some severe problem with their blood or immune system. The transplanted cord blood stem cells can help the individual rebuild their immune system.
Now, the question is how someone can preserve this cord blood cell right after delivery.
Preserving A Cord Blood Stem Cell
Step-by-step guide of how you will preserve a cord blood cell right after birth.
Step 1: The blood from the placenta and cord blood cells is collected right after the baby is born. Do not worry; it is quite a non-invasive and painless process. The OBGYN will take a sterile substance to extract the blood and place it in a sterile storage.
Step 2: The next step is isolating the blood from the pure stem cell. After collection, the blood goes to the laboratory, where the substance differentiation takes place. Then, the laboratory will preserve the pure stem cells they have extracted from the blood and place them in cryopreservation, which is essentially a cold preservation to save it for years on end.
Step 3: Not every cord blood cell is enriched with stem cells; some have infections. Although this is a very rare case, laboratories still place the stem cell under a few tests to ensure it is infection-free.
Step 4: Cryopreservation is the next step. This is where experts will freeze the collected stem cell inside a -196 degree nitrogen. The liquid nitrogen is safer than ice crystals as it reduces the chance of damage. This is one of the most important steps for cord blood cell preservation because one doesn’t immediately use the cord blood cell they are preserving.
Step 5: Then, the stem cells will move towards better storage, which is a specialized tank. This tank is kept at a freezing temperature at all times so that the collected stem cells do not go bad over time.
Step 6: Once you preserve them, you will also pay for people to periodically monitor these samples from time to time. These regular checkups include checking the functionality of the equipment, temperature, and other quality measures.
How To Save More When Saving Your Cord Blood Cells
Parents are now considering the option of saving stem cells from cord blood cells in order to protect their children and themselves from chronic diseases later. However, there is no denying that saving cord blood cells is not cheap. From collection to storage to monitoring, one has to fund everything. But there are ways in which you can save while also preserving the cord blood cells.
1. Research & Compare
Saving stem cells as a service is not as uncommon as it was a decade ago. Services of such medical stature won’t be difficult to find. Therefore, before signing with one, you should never forget the other options you have. Research and compare the deals, pricing, and, most importantly, the array of services they offer within it.
2. Promotional Offer
If your child was born during a special occasion, do take full advantage of the full promotional advantage of the season. There are certain times of the year when these services will provide good promotions.
3. Insurance Coverage
Check if your health insurance policy covers any portion of the cord blood banking costs. While rare, some insurance plans might offer limited coverage.
4. Group Discounts
Two is always better than one, and many cord blood preservation services do offer group discounts if more than one pair of parents signs up together. You can look into it and then convince your other parent friend to look into the offer.
5. Flexible Payment Plans
Some companies provide customizable payment options. So, if you are unable to pay it all at once but still want the stem cells to be preserved, ask for a payment plan.
Remember, the cost of cord blood banking should be balanced with the potential benefits of having access to stem cells for medical treatments. Carefully assess your financial situation and explore available options to determine the best approach for your family. Consult your healthcare provider for guidance and recommendations, and thoroughly research your chosen cord blood bank’s reputation and accreditation before making a decision.