Blood that remains in the umbilical cord and the placenta after birth is often referred to as “cord blood.” Cord blood is a potentially valuable source of stem cells. Stem cells are the basic building blocks of your blood as well as your immune system. These cells are often used to help to rebuild the blood system and the immune system of a patient after the patient has been treated for cancer with radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

In addition, stem cells from cord blood seems to have some promise for medical research. Some researchers have suggested that this type of research could ultimately provide treatments for a variety of disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Other research suggests that one day stem cells could be used for the treatment of heart disease.

Many parents choose to donate or “bank” cord blood. This helps these cells to be readily used in treatment of a variety of illnesses. Often, cord blood is used by a family member, such as a sibling. Many metropolitan areas have Cord Blood banks or other places to which one can make a donation of cord blood.

Donating cord blood does not cost anything. If you wish to store and save your baby’s cord blood for your own family’s use, there is generally a fee. There are no medical risks to donating cord blood. The procedure for collecting cord blood takes place after the birth takes place. If there are complications during birth, cord blood will probably not be collected.

The actual procedure for collecting the cord blood is simple. Once your baby is born, the umbilical cord will be clamped. This will close the link between your baby and the placenta. There will be anywhere from 3 to 5 ounces of cord blood left in the cord. From there, it will be collected and then tested. It will be tested for infection, and the family’s health history will be examined to see if it meets certain standards. If these tests come through fine, the cord blood will be frozen and stored until someone needs it.

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