Pregnancy is a miracle in itself. And the big news of this tiny new addition to your family? Truly beyond words! Some parents start thinking of names, others begin planning the perfect nursery. But one thought that often lingers in every parent’s mind? The strong desire to keep their little one safe and protected, always.
And it’s this very instinct that leads many parents to explore the option of stem cell preservation.
Stem cell preservation is believed to offer protection against a range of serious diseases. But before you decide to preserve your newborn’s cord blood, it’s important to read between the lines and understand whether (and how) it can actually benefit your baby.
In this blog, we dig deeper into the topic to help you make an informed decision. So keep reading!
What Is Cord Blood Banking?
During pregnancy, your baby derives nourishment via the umbilical cord. It’s a connecting organ between the mother and her baby, which helps in the transport of nutrients (to the baby) and passage of waste products (away from the baby).
But once the baby is born, the umbilical cord is cut off and usually discarded. However, it’s now known that the blood inside this umbilical cord is rich in stem cells, which can help treat multiple life-threatening illnesses.
Cord blood banking (or stem cell preservation) is the process of collecting and preserving these valuable cord blood stem cells. If ever needed, they can be used in the future by the baby & the entire family to treat over 80 medical conditions, including certain cancers, immune disorders and blood disorders.
That said, cord blood banking services can be of three different types: private, public, and community stem cell banking. We’ll learn more about them in the next section.
Types Of Stem Cell Banks
Let’s uncover the differences between the three types of stem cell banking models.
- Private Stem Cell Bank
These are private organisations that preserve your baby’s cord blood stem cells in lieu of an annual storage fee. In a private stem cell bank, you reserve the complete right over your baby’s stem cells, which can be used in future illnesses for treatment. However, these banks are pricier than the public stem cell banks. Moreover, as per studies, there is a very small chance that your baby will require their own stem cells in future for treatment.
- Public Stem Cell Bank
In a public stem cell bank, cord blood stem cells are donated by the parents to the bank. These stem cells get added to a common pool and can be utilised in future by those needing a stem cell transplant for treatment. But they must purchase it once they find a matching unit. This is also true for the donors because once they donate their baby’s stem cells, they lose all rights over it and have to pay a price if the stem cell are needed in future.
- LifeCell’s Community Stem Cell Bank
Community stem cell banking is a unique and rare stem cell banking model in India offered by LifeCell, India’s largest and most accredited stem cell bank. It acts like a bridge between both private and public stem cell banking models. In community stem cell banking, your baby’s stem cells are preserved along with a large repository of 75000+ qualified stem cell units. All enrolled community members not only get shared access to the entire pool, but they also have a >97% chance of finding a stem cell match, if ever needed.
Summing Up
Stem cell preservation does seem like a promising way to protect your family’s future health. But it’s just as important to choose a stem cell bank that’s trusted, accredited, and well-reputed. You also need to be mindful of the type of banking service you opt for.
Private stem cell banks can be expensive and come with a lower chance of finding a stem cell match. On the other hand, public banks don’t let you retain ownership of your baby’s stem cells, which could be life-saving down the line.
That’s where LifeCell’s Community Stem Cell Banking model stands out. It not only secures your baby’s stem cells for your own use but also offers access to a pool of 75,000+ preserved units. So if you’re expecting, it’s definitely worth considering!
To learn more, call 1800 266 5533 or visit www.lifecell.in.
