|
Cord Blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord after the baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut. Although once considered medical waste and thrown away, scientists now know that cord blood is rich in stem cells. Stem cells are very important because they make many different types of cells in the body including blood cells that carry oxygen, fight disease and help stop bleeding. Umbilical cord blood stem cells are collected after the baby has been born and the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut.
For these reasons, the umbilical cord blood stem cells can be safely obtained without any risk or pain to the mother or baby. Once collected, the umbilical cord blood stem cells can be preserved for future uses. The collection of your baby’s umbilical cord blood will not cause a change in the delivery practices of your physician or nurse midwife. Collection is performed after the baby has been delivered and detached from the umbilical cord, and only if the physician/midwife considers the delivery to be uncomplicated or normal. At all times the health of you and your baby is the main priority.
Currently, umbilical cord blood stem cells can be used to treat over 75 life-threatening diseases, including leukemias, anemias, lymphomas, and inborn errors of metabolism. As science continues to discover new uses for umbilical cord blood stem cells, many other diseases could potentially be treated using these unique cells. There are currently over 700 clinical trials being performed for diseases such as type I diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, paralysis, heart disease, and wound repair.
For additional information on umbilical cord blood stem cells, please go to the links section.
|
