Cord Blood Banking: How It’s Done & What Makes It So Important

Did you know? The birth of your baby can also be your chance to secure your family’s future health. Incredible right? That’s the power of cord blood banking. A simple procedure that lets you preserve your baby’s cord blood stem cells at birth.

Done right, it can help protect your baby and entire family against the impact of life-threatening diseases. Diseases that can make an entry at any point in their lives…unannounced!

This blog provides further details about cord blood banking and highlights key points to consider before opting for this service. So dive in!

Why Is Cord Blood Banking Important (And Almost Non-Negotiable!)

When a baby is born, their umbilical cord is clamped, cut and discarded (as practice). But research has found that the blood in their umbilical cord is a rich source of stem cells. These stem cells can help protect your baby, their siblings, parents and even grandparents (maternal and paternal) against the impact of over 80 serious diseases.

Below is a list of a few common diseases which can be treated with stem cells:

Cancers

  • Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
  • Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia
  • Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
  • Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
  • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
  • Chronic Myelocytic Leukaemia
  • Neuroblastoma
  • Medulloblastoma
  • Multiple Myeloma
  • Retinoblastoma

Blood Disorders

  • Acute Myelofibrosis
  • Amyloidosis
  • Aplastic Anemia
  • Beta Thalassemia Major
  • Diamond–Blackfan Anaemia
  • Essential Thrombocythemia
  • Fanconi Anemia
  • Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
  • Refractory Anemia
  • Sickle Cell Disease

Immune Disorders

  • Ataxia–Telangiectasia
  • Bare Lymphocyte Syndrome
  • Cartilage–Hair Hypoplasia
  • Chronic Granulomatous Disease
  • Common Variable Immunodeficiency
  • DiGeorge Syndromes
  • Erythropoietic Porphyria
  • Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
  • Pearson Syndrome
  • SCID (X-linked)

Metabolic Disorders

  • Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD)
  • Hunter Syndrome (MPS-II)
  • Hurler Syndrome (MPS-IH)
  • Krabbe Disease
  • Lesch–Nyhan Syndrome
  • Metachromatic Leukodystrophy
  • Morquio Syndrome (MPS-IV)
  • Mucolipidosis II (I-cell Disease)
  • Niemann–Pick Disease
  • Osteopetrosis

Steps Involved In Cord Blood Banking

The entire process of cord blood banking is quite simple:

  • After your baby is born, the first step involves clamping and cutting the umbilical cord.
  • Next, a needle is inserted into the umbilical cord and cord blood is extracted.
  • The blood is then collected inside a collection bag.
  • The cord blood is then sent to the cord blood bank, where it is processed, typed and tested in the lab.
  • Once deemed fit for use, it is sent for cryopreservation (preservation at ultra-low temperature).

Cord Blood Banking With LifeCell: India’s #1 Cord Blood Bank

Choosing the right cord blood bank is just as important as the decision to bank your baby’s cord blood. And that’s why we recommend going with LifeCell, India’s largest & most accredited cord blood bank.

Interestingly, it’s India’s only community stem cell bank, where more than 4.5 lakh parents have already preserved their baby’s cord blood stem cells. This has made their stem cell repository really vast, currently standing at over 85000 ready-to-use cord blood units. According to the ICMR, this equals a greater than 97% stem cell match probability.

The enrolment process at LifeCell is also quite simple, involving just a few steps:

Step 1: Enrol online

Step 2: Receive the collection kit

Step 3: Carry the kit to the hospital during delivery

Step 4: Baby’s cord blood is collected.

Step 4: Book a paramedic for shipment of cord blood to the lab.

Step 5: Receive the cord blood report within 15 days.

Just that, and there you have it. A ready-to-use lifeline for your entire family spanning generations!

Parting Words

So dear parents-to-be, if you are expecting, do not miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance. The chance to secure a lifeline for your near and dear ones. Because once the baby is born, this chance is gone forever.

If you’ve decided to enrol, visit the LifeCell website www.lifecell.in.

Or simply curious? You can book a free presentation with their expert by calling 18002665533.

Happy banking!

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