The One Decision You Can’t Make After the Birth
As an expectant parent, your to-do list is endless. You are researching strollers, painting the nursery, and interviewing pediatricians. But there is one item on that list that has a strict deadline: Cord Blood Banking.
Unlike buying baby bottles, you cannot decide to bank your baby’s stem cells a week after they are born. You have one shot, in the few minutes immediately following birth, to capture this powerful biological resource.
But with so much information out there, the big question remains: Is cord blood banking actually worth it?
Here is everything you need to know about the science, the process, and why this one decision could be the most important investment you make for your child’s future.
What is Cord Blood Banking?
Cord blood banking is the process of collecting and storing the blood remaining in your newborn’s umbilical cord and placenta after the cord has been cut.
In the past, this blood was discarded as medical waste. Today, we know it is rich in Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs). These are the “master cells” of the blood and immune system. They have the unique ability to develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Why Bank Cord Blood? (The Medical Benefits)
You aren’t banking blood; you are banking options.
1. Proven Treatments (Standard of Care) Cord blood stem cells are currently FDA-approved to treat over 80 life-threatening diseases, including:
- Leukemias and Lymphomas
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Immune Deficiencies
- Metabolic Disorders
2. Emerging Therapies (The Future) This is where cord blood banking becomes a true investment in the future. Clinical trials are currently exploring the use of cord blood for regenerative medicine, including treatments for:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Cerebral Palsy
- Acquired Hearing Loss
- Type 1 Diabetes
- And many more…
By banking your baby’s cord blood, you ensure they have access to their own perfect genetic match should these therapies become standard care in their lifetime.
Why Not All Banks Are Equal
This is the most critical part of your research.
Most parents in the US want to do Delayed Cord Clamping (DCC), leaving the cord attached for a few minutes to let more blood flow to the baby. This is great for the baby, but leaves less blood in the cord for banking.
The Risk: If you use a standard cord blood bank, the sample collected after DCC might be too small to be useful. Many samples are discarded or result in a cell count too low to treat a full-grown adult.
The Solution: This is one of the reasons why Cells4Life uses TotiCyte. Our patented technology delivers 3x more viable stem cells at the point of therapy than industry-standard processing. This means that even smaller samples collected after delayed cord clamping could contain as many stem cells as those collected after immediate clamping and processed using another method. We are the only bank that allows you to prioritize both your baby’s immediate health (DCC) and their future safety (Banking).
Cord Blood vs. Cord Tissue: Do You Need Both?
When you sign up for cord blood banking, you will often see the option to add “Cord Tissue.”
- Cord Blood contains HSCs (Blood & Immune system).
- Cord Tissue contains MSCs (Mesenchymal Stem Cells).
MSCs are the “repair team” of the body. They form muscle, bone, and cartilage. If you want the most comprehensive protection, banking both gives your child access to two completely different types of cellular therapy.
(Pro Tip: Cells4Life goes even further. We also bank the Placenta and Amnion, offering the widest range of stem cells available in the US).
Public Donation vs. Private Banking
Parents often ask, “Why should I pay for private cord blood banking when I can donate for free?”
- Public Donation: It is free and altruistic. However, the cells are listed on a public registry for anyone to use. If your child or a family member needs them later, they may be gone.
- Public Donation: It is free and altruistic. However, the cells are listed on a public registry for anyone to use. If your child or a family member needs them later, they may be gone.
Public Donation vs. Private Banking
We have made cord blood banking as simple as packing your hospital bag.
- Enroll Online: Choose your plan at Cells4Life.com/us/pricing.
- Receive Your Kit: We ship a specialized collection kit to your home. Pack it in your hospital bag.
- Collection: After your baby is born, your doctor or midwife collects the blood (it takes minutes and is painless for mom and baby).
- Pickup: You call our dedicated medical courier, who picks up the kit from your bedside and speeds it to our lab.
The Bottom Line
You buy car insurance hoping you never crash. You buy home insurance hoping you never have a fire.
Cord blood banking is biological insurance. You hope you never need to use it, but if the unthinkable happens, having a perfect genetic match stored and ready could be the most important decision you ever make.
Secure your baby’s future today. Get your free info kit below or explore our cord blood banking plans.
FIND OUT MORE, REQUEST YOUR FREE INFO KIT TODAY
All you need to know to make an informed decision.
Provide your contact details to request:
– Complete Info Kit and your Guide to Cord Blood Banking
– Information via email
– Contact from our specialist advisors
