Cord Blood Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should I Preserve My Baby's Cord Blood?

During pregnancy, the umbilical cord is the lifeline between mother and baby. Once the umbilical cord is discarded after your baby's birth, you lose the chance to preserve the precious cells it contains that are an exact match for your child. By preserving your baby's stem cells, he or she will have a guaranteed source of perfectly matched cells in the event a life threatening illness develops and the cells need to be used to combat the disease.

What Is The Difference Between A Stem Cell Transplant And Bone Marrow Transplant?

Until now, the most common way to transfer stem cells from one person to another has been through bone marrow transplantation, which is a complex and risky procedure. Cord blood- a richer source of stem cells than bone marrow- eliminates many of the problems associated with bone marrow transplants should your child or other family member ever need such a treatment in their lifetime. With your child's own cord blood stem cells readily available, you do not have to look for a suitable match for your child, a painful bone marrow extraction procedure will not be necessary, and the transplant may not be rejected.

What Diseases Can Be Treated/Cured Through The Transplantation Of Stem Cells?

Stem cells are used today in the treatment of leukemia, breast cancer, lymphoma, Hodgkin's Disease, Aplastic Anemia, Sickle Cell Anemia, various other cancers, blood diseases, hereditary/genetic conditions and immune system disorders. There are approximately 1.4 million new cancer cases each year. As stem cell transplants become routine, they may be used to fight lung cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, AIDS and many genetic diseases.

Can The Baby's Stem Cells Be Used For A Sibling? Can They Also Be Used For A Relative Or Friend?

Stem cells from a baby are a perfect match only for the baby or for an identical twin, and may be a close match for a sibling (1:4 chance). They can be used for a relative or friend if their cells closely match the baby's cells.

When And How Do You Collect The Cord Blood Stem Cells? The collection process takes place after delivery when the cord has been separated from your newborn infant. In no way does it interfere with the birth of your baby. Your attending physician, nurse or midwife collects the cord blood utilizing a sterile kit provided by Cord Partners Blood Center. The collected cord blood is sealed in a specially designed package and delivered to our laboratory for testing and processing. Finally, the sample is cryogenically stored until it needs to be retrieved. How Safe Is This For My Baby And Me? Will Either Of Us Feel Any Pain Or Discomfort? The first priority is the care and well being of the baby. Stem cell extraction is very safe because the blood is collected after the cord has been separated from your baby. Neither you nor your baby will feel anything since this procedure is only done after the cord has been detached. A blood sample will also be drawn from the mother.

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