ArticlesCategory: Pregnancy Cord Blood: Your Baby’s First Gift

Every baby that comes into this world brings a gift. That gift is umbilical cord blood.

The Gift of Life

During pregnancy, the placenta and blood within it (cord blood) serve as the lifeline of nourishment from mother to baby. In the past, the umbilical cord, placenta and cord blood were discarded following the birth. However, umbilical cord blood is rich in blood producing stem cells, the same cells found in bone marrow. Today, cord blood represents a second chance at life for children and adults with leukemia, metabolic disorders, immune deficiencies, bone marrow failure, or genetic disorders.

Your Donation is Needed

Currently, only half of children and adults in need of a stem cell transplant will be able to find a suitable donor through bone marrow registries. The average search takes three to four months and is extremely expensive. Cord blood offers an alternative transplant source with shorter search and availability times. Finding a suitable donor is even more difficult for African-American, Hispanic, and other minority patients because bone marrow registry volunteers are predominately Caucasian. This makes your donation extremely valuable, no matter who you are.

Simple, Safe, and Painless

Donating cord blood is simple and does not interfere with the birthing process. Right after the baby is born, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut and the physician or midwife collects the cord blood while waiting for the placenta to deliver. The entire procedure is painless for both the mother and baby. Also, if there is any concern about the safety of the mother or baby, collection does not occur.

Public vs. Private

When a donation is made to a public cord blood bank, the cord blood undergoes extensive testing to ensure it meets high standards for banking. It is then typed, frozen and stored until needed. Donating cord blood to a public bank is absolutely free. The blood is available worldwide to any patient in need of a stem cell transplant.

Private cord blood banks are available for parents who wish to store their child’s cord blood for personal use. The cost for private storage ranges from $1800.00 to $2000.00 up front, plus a yearly storage fee of about $125.00. The blood is stored for family use and no one can access the blood except the parent, or the child at the age of consent. Regardless of which type of bank is chosen, cord blood has been safely stored and remained viable for up to 15 years.

For those interested in donating cord blood to a public cord blood bank in the St. Louis area, they may contact the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital at 314-268-2787 or 888-453-2673.



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