Know the Process of Stem Cell Collection at Birth

Stem Cell Collection at Birth

Cord blood is the blood remaining in the placenta and umbilical cord after your baby’s birth. Normally, cord blood is disposed of after birth, however it can be collected and stored, so if needed, it can be used in the future. In this article we will explain the stem cell collection at birth process.

 

What can Stem Cells from Cord Blood be Used for?

Stem cells are the building blocks of blood cells in our bodies. A rich source of them can be found in umbilical cord blood. Many blood disorders and conditions of the immune system can be treated with stem cells. Some of the most commonly treated diseases using stem cells are:

  • Immune deficiency
  • Leukemia
  • Blood diseases (eg aplastic anemia)
  • Metabolic disorders, whereby the process by which the body gets energy from food is disrupted
  • Thalassemia, a blood disease affecting the way the body makes hemoglobin

Medical science is still expanding. As new technologies are developed the range of diseases using umbilical cord blood will be expanded.

 

Stem Cell Collection at Birth Process

Stem Cell Collection at Birth Process

After the umbilical cord has been cut following either a vaginal or caesarean birth the stem cells can be collected. The process of collection is quick and painless for both baby and mother, and is performed by a trained obstetrician or midwife.

The blood is collected with the insertion of a needle into the umbilical cord vein attached to the placenta. The remaining blood in the umbilical cord and placenta is drained into a collection bag. This process takes about three minutes and can take place either before or after the placenta is delivered.

After collection, the umbilical cord blood is stored frozen, or banked, of future use.

 

Should I Delay Cord Clamping, then Collect the Cord Blood?

Delayed clamping is where the umbilical cord is not clamped or cut until after the placenta is delivered and after pulsations have ceased.

You are not able to delay clamping when collecting umbilical cord blood as the umbilical cord must be clamped early to capture the maximum number of stem cells.

 

What If I Wish to Donate My Baby’s Cord Blood?

Stem cell donations are welcomed. Stem cells can be used to help others, with a blood match, to treat life-threatening diseases. Donations also contribute to medical science.

If donated, the cord blood is no longer available for your family to use, it becomes the property of a public bank.

Participation in cord blood donation programs is entirely voluntary. There may be instances when cord blood collection cannot be guaranteed. These include:

  • When your blood isn’t suitable due to having a prior disease such as leukemia, or a genetic disorder.
  • Doctor/nurse priority is to provide optimal care to mother and baby. If circumstances arrive that prioritize this care, blood may not be collected.
  • Trained collection staff may not be available.
  • The hospital may not provide a cord blood collection service.
  • There may not be enough stem cells to warrant collecting.

 

What Happens After Stem Cell Collection at Birth?

  • Asked to complete a questionnaire about your health and family medical history.
  • Give a blood sample which is tested to determine eligibility.
  • Contacted six months later to check on the health and progress of your baby since the donation.

The information collected is required to ensure the safety of blood and cell products for use in the future.

 

Privacy of Information

All information you give in relation to stem cell collection at birth and your families medical history is kept private. You will be given a unique reference number that only the staff at the cord blood bank will have the ability to link with your personal details. All information identifying your baby and you is kept confidential and is not passed on to anyone other than you, your doctor and other healthcare professionals involved in your baby’s care.

 

Stem Cell Collection at Birth Private and Public Banking Options

There are two options available to parents, donating cord blood and private banking.

 

Donating to a Public Cord Blood Bank

If you select this option, donated cord blood is made available to all patients in need of a blood stem cell transplant. This may be to someone in your country, or from another.

There is no cost to the doner for collection or storage. The stem cells will not be kept specifically for your family’s use. In special circumstances, your baby’s stem cells may be made available for use by your baby or another family member.

Some countries, such as New Zealand, do not take public donations.

 

Private Umbilical Cord Blood Storage

This is where you bank your baby’s umbilical cord blood for potential use only by your baby or family member if they were ever to become ill. Keep in mind that many diseases cannot be treated with stem cells, especially if the disease is genetic in origin. Consider private cord blood banking as a health insurance policy. You have complete control of the stem cells.

Private cord blood banks charge a fee for collection and storage services. These fees and their services vary greatly from one bank to another. It is advisable to contact the banks and compare. You can use the services of a private cord bank, either from your own country or one from another country.

 

What are the Risks?

There are no risks to your baby, as the umbilical blood collection does not start until after the cord has been clamped and cut.

The risks to the mother are minor. There may be discomfort with having a blood sample taken. This may cause bruising and rarely, infection at the site.

 

For Australian residents further information on donating cord blood can be found at AusCord, (the Australian network of umbilical cord blood banks).

Cord Blood Banking New York

cord blood banking new york

Cord Blood Banking in New York

The cord blood rave had accelerated over the years, and one place that it gained ground was in New York. With the various establishment of cord blood banks in New York, citizens now choose between private and public cord blood banks. Cord blood banking New York options for expected parents are numerous, with several companies offering services.

Today, millions of people have accepted cord blood banking and have decided to make that initiative worthwhile. People living in New York are fortunate to have choice with umbilical cord blood services.

So, for those who want to venture into cord blood banks and reside in New York, preferred cord blood bank choice for their newborn baby stem cell storage would be discussed in this article. We would also look at some technicalities that families need to consider in dealing with banked blood and saving umbilical cord for stem cell collection at birth.

Companies That Offer The Service For People in New York and Environs

New York has one of the largest concentrations of cord blood banks globally, consisting of both the private and public sectors. This has made the option of choosing a straightforward one for most inhabitants of the city.

However, getting concrete information on the cord bank can be tricky, so we have provided some companies that offer the best services below. A detailed comparison between these companies and others is available on our website. We look at service, costs involved with cord blood banking, guarantees and standards.

NAME TYPE
Americord Private
Cord Blood Registry Private
ViaCord Private
Cryo-cell Private
 LifeBank Private
Stemcyte Private
New York Blood Center Public

Cost of Cord Blood Banking in New York

cord blood banking new york

Since cord blood banking, stem cell storage, and collection is lucrative in New York; the cost is not as cheap as in other states.

Most private cord blood banking in New York companies charge $5000 for stem cell collection and storage for 20 years with an upfront payment plan.

This plan allows you to pay once without any other charge. Also, other payment plans allow the family to pay around $1500 upfront and then pay annual storage fees of about $150-170.

Legalities and FDA Surrounding Cord Blood Bank 

When it comes to cord blood banking, the New York Bill passed in 2007 was initially passed to allow doctors to educate families on stem cell collection at birth. However, the bill was repealed in 2008, and currently, there are no laws guiding cord blood collection at birth in the state.

Concerning FDA regulations, all cord blood banks in New York are expected to follow the regulations required to run a cord blood bank. This helps protect the families and assures them of safety, so it’s essential to confirm if the cord blood bank has the right permit. 

Future of Cord Blood Banking New York

New York is the base of most cord blood banks in the US and would be a light bearer for cord blood banking. These cord blood banks are constantly researching to find more uses and functionalities of cord blood to better our well-being. So In a few years, we shouldn’t be surprised to see cord blood banking become a leading industry globally with New York as its base.

Frequently Asked Questions

·         Is it Possible To Donate Cord Blood in New York?

Donating your baby’s cord blood in New York is possible no matter which method you decide to undertake. New York has public cord blood banks that collect blood right from the hospitals.

·         Is Cord Blood Banking Cost-Effective in New York?

Cost-effectiveness is based on the type of bank you and your family have decided to use in cord blood banking. This is because several companies and cord blood banks have payment plans which differ and make the process easier for their clients.

·       Is it Important To Bank My Child’s Cord Blood?

The choice of banking your child’s umbilical cord blood depends on the reason and your intention. Many people undertake this process because it assures them of a backup in case of medical issues that might require stem cell transplant for any member of the family. Our viewers can explore further as to whether or not umbilical cord blood banking is worth it for families here.

Alternatives Near New York

For whatever reason, you might decide not to use a cord blood banking in New York service; then, you can also take a short trip to New Jersey. Several cord blood banks in New Jersey also provide excellent cord blood banking services. Many of these banks are licensed, but you can also check the registry for better confirmation. Alternatively, there are certainly many more options for those living elsewhere seeking an umbilical cord blood bank near to them.

Final Thoughts – Cord Blood Banking New York

In conclusion, New York may, over time, play a pivotal role in how far and well cord blood banking develops as ongoing research continues. The fact that cord blood is also gaining ground worldwide is a plus, and we love to see the possibility it holds.