What is Umbilical Cord Blood?

The birth of your baby presents the only opportunity to preserve one of the richest sources of rare stem cells available: cord blood. ² During pregnancy, the uterus creates the placenta, a temporary organ that serves as your baby’s lifeline while in the womb; it filters nutrients and produces hormones and antibodies for your baby. After delivery, the placenta and connected umbilical cord remain filled with blood packed with powerful stem cells, which medical scientists now use to treat a range of diseases. ²⁶ When properly preserved, cord blood stem cells provide a powerful treatment option. ²⁵ Not only can cord blood stem cell transplants be used to treat an array of cancers and immune disorders, but infusions of autologous cord blood stem cells are currently being used to treat patients with conditions like cerebral palsy and other acquired brain injuries. ^30-32

Umbilical Cord

What is Cord Blood Banking?

Cord blood banking provides your baby with a guaranteed source of perfectly matched stem cells should they ever require it. Currently, more than a million parents across the world have made the decision to privately bank their baby’s umbilical cord blood and tissue. Cord blood banking involves the isolation of stem cells from the blood held in the umbilical cord after birth. Soon after delivery, the blood remaining in the cord is extracted in a non-invasive procedure and transported to our laboratories where it is processed and tested. After this, the cord blood stem cells are cryogenically frozen and stored for future clinical applications.

The Benefits of Cord Blood Banking

Cord blood banking offers a secure, non-invasive, non-controversial source of powerful newborn stem cells for future utilisation in treatments for a host of cancers, immune diseases and genetic disorders. Typically, following delivery, the umbilical cord and placenta would be discarded as medical waste, but by preserving the stem cells contained within the cord blood you grant you baby access to perfectly matched HSCs for your baby and a potential match for your immediate family. This availability eliminates waiting-lists and significantly reduces the risk of post-transplant graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) from donor cells. What is more, patients recover more quickly after transplants of their own stem cells and have a significantly reduced risk of relapse or post-transplant complications. ²⁷ Cord blood banking also guarantees your baby will be able to benefit from all future advances in stem cell medicine. Right now, cord blood stem cells are being used in clinical trials seeking cures for conditions such as autism, immunodeficiency and sickle cell anaemia. ^{17, 29}