Weighing the Pros and Cons of Umbilical Cord Banking

Cord blood has been one of the more recent developments in medical science and the treatment of diseases, and it has quickly become one of the growing means of helping people. To date, more than 80 diseases can be treated with cord blood, leading to a boom in banking this precious resource. But what are the pros and cons of umbilical cord blood banking?

What is umbilical cord blood banking?

Before we get into the benefits of cord blood, let’s first discuss what it is and why people bank it. Cord blood is the blood that is harvested from the umbilical cord not long after birth. This blood is unique because cord stem cells can develop into any type of blood cells used in the body, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Umbilical cord blood banking actually takes this blood at birth and keeps it for future use.

Currently, cord blood is used to treat, cure, or manage a number of diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, and a number of immune diseases, genetic disorders, and neurological disorders. Unfortunately, the only way to use this treatment is to have a patient who already has a bank of cord blood, and thus has invested in umbilical cord blood banking.

Pros of umbilical cord blood banking

When it comes to the actual umbilical cord blood banking, there are a number of advantages that come with choosing a private firm. First, you will have complete control of your baby’s cord blood, meaning it will not be shared with a public pool or used for any reason other than what you have agree to. Since transplant rates are much more successful with a relative’s cord blood, having it stored means you can access it with confidence when you need it most.

When you choose a private cord blood banking firm, you also get one more key benefit: ease. Most private firms cover the costs of transport for your cord blood and make payment and storage extremely simple. This means you can get the most out of your umbilical cord blood banking without any extra hassle.

Cons of umbilical cord blood banking

While there are numerous benefits that come from banking cord blood and choosing a private firm for the task, there are some extra considerations to be made. First, while the price can be much less than you may expect, umbilical cord blood banking is an additional expense in your home budget. It’s always better to ensure that you can make the adjustment to your budget before investing in the service.

PacifiCord is one of the world’s leading companies in umbilical cord blood banking and other forms of organic tissue storage. We are dedicated to providing a simple, effective, and affordable way for families to confidently store cord blood. Contact us today to learn more about cord blood uses and how our banking system can help you prepare for the future.

Reviewed by Paul V. Holland, MD