Private Cord Blood Bank- Securing Your Family

Cord blood is removed from the placenta, when it is detached at child birth. This blood is rich in stem cells. This blood can be stored in a private cord blood bank.

Stem Cells In The Cord Blood

Stem cells are found in the cord blood. These cells can renew and replenish themselves into the red and white blood cells and the muscle and brain cells. Since these cells can so easily replicate themselves, they are of immense use in treating blood and immune system disorders as well as some neurological disorders.

Cord Blood Preservation

To be able to treat these disorders, the cord blood has to be preserved for future use. It is stored in cord blood banks at very low temperatures in liquid nitrogen. The banks that do this are of two types. The private cord blood banks and the public cord blood banks.

Private Cord Blood banks

The important feature of a private cord blood bank is that you can use the cord blood you have preserved in it for you and your family members, when they require a cord blood transplant. This type of banking is also known as family banking. Suppose your family has a history of hereditary diseases or suffers from immune-system related diseases, then it becomes imperative that you store your baby’s cord blood at one of these banks. This will ensure timely treatment and transplants for the ill person.

Private Cord Blood Bank Charges

The private cord blood banks initially charge an enrollment fee and then take fees for the maintenance of your cord blood. This becomes necessary as cord blood can be stored for ten to fifteen years. However, it is worthwhile to check the credentials of the cord blood bank, before deciding on it. Some cord blood banks charge you lesser fees than others just to entice you into storing cord blood with them. However, they may be skipping some important checks such as extensive screening of the blood. This might result in you receiving infected blood during blood transfusion and lead to complications later. So, cheaper is not necessarily better!

That was all about private cord blood banking. Read up more about in on the net or in good quality books and magazines. For more information visit pregnancy period.