Concerns and Misconceptions Cord Blood Banking
Cord blood banking is a lifesaving choice that ensures your child’s future health and wellbeing. You need to make the correct decision and choose a reliable bank weeks before your delivery date. This necessitates that you undertake thorough research and arm yourself with factual information.
Unfortunately, when it comes to medical and health-related subjects, people find many unauthentic and unreliable sources of information on the internet. Also, we hear numerous myths and misinformation from our neighbors, friends, and even family members about cord blood banking prices, benefits, and procedures. They may mean no harm, but they are limited by their little knowledge of these medical issues.
As a parent, you want the best care for your little one. Hence, it is essential to update yourself with all the knowledge about cord blood banking before making a choice. Let us discuss some of the misconceptions related to cord blood banking.
Misconception 1: It intervenes with the delivery process.
Cord blood banking does not interfere with the delivery process in any way. The blood is collected from the umbilical cord. However, this is done post-delivery after the umbilical cord is clamped and cut.
Traditionally Umbilical cord after childbirth was discarded as medical waste. However, now it is frozen and preserved. The process is painless, non-invasive, and safe for normal deliveries as well as C-sections.
Misconception 2: cord blood banking can only help your newborn in case of medical emergencies.
Cord blood banking can be helpful for your baby in case of any future ailments. However, it can be used by their siblings and other family members as well.
If you have a family history of cancer or other ailments, it is advisable to get your newborn’s stem cell banked with a reliable private bank. Also, if you have a family member or another child suffering from a disease where a stem cell transfusion can be helpful, you must bank your child’s cord blood.
Misconception 3: cord blood banking is still in its experimental phase.
Many people believe that cord blood banking is still in its initial experimental stages. However, this is not true. The first cord blood transfusion was performed way back in 1988.
Since then, it has been widely accepted as a source of stem cells for blood transplants. To date, 30000 stem cells transfusion has been done worldwide, and 60000 stem cells have been preserved to be used in future transfusions.
Cord blood can help in treating 80 rare diseases that include blood, bone, and immune-related disease. It can treat leukemia, sickle cell anemia, lymphoma, etc.
Also, researchers and scientists across the globe are conducting numerous clinical trials to understand the potential of these cells in treating incurable diseases like cerebral palsy, Autism, type 1 diabetes, etc.
Misconception 4: All cord blood banks are the same.
People think that all cord blood banks are the same and they deliver similar services. Hence, they base their final decision on cord blood banking prices. However, the cord blood banks differ in the quality of their service.
You need to be careful when choosing the private cord blood bank for your child’s stem cells. The bank should be accredited and licensed to provide cord blood banking services. The cord blood bank should also have the experience and a proven track record of successful transfusions.
Misconceptions 5: The public cord blood banks can provide them with the stem cells when required.
The public cord blood banks accept your child’s cord blood as a donation, and the cord blood banking prices are nil. Your child’s cord blood can save a potentials match’s life.
The stem cells can also be used for research purposes. The blood is not stored for you exclusively, and you will not be able to use this blood in case of future emergencies.
These are some of the misconceptions surrounding cord blood banking. Now that you are aware of these myths, you can choose stem cell banking based on the right information.