You’re considering storing your baby’s umbilical-cord blood in a private bank — but you’re not sure how to go about it? This step-by-step guide outlines what you need to know about private cord blood banking. Excerpted from Whattoexpect.com
Now that you’re pregnant, you’ve probably discovered how many decisions you have to make a day — and how momentous some of them can seem because they now involve that precious little person who is about to join your family. One way to ease your mind about these big decisions is do a lot of research about the topic you’re considering.
When it comes to saving your baby’s cord blood, the more you know the better. Cord blood, which contains stems cells that can treat a host of diseases, can be stored in a private or public bank. What should you take into account as you make your decision about where to store your baby’s cord blood? First, read what you can about cord blood banking. Also look into cord blood research in terms of your family’s medical history to see what diseases it can treat.
Private Cord Blood Banking
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that you consider private cord banking if you have a family member with a disease that may be treatable with stem cells. That’s because your baby’s cord blood may be a better match for that sick family member than a nonfamilial donation. Some families also choose to save their baby’s cord blood as a kind of health insurance — in the event that down the line more diseases may be treatable with stem cells, and you’ll have those cells available to your child and your family.
How to Choose a Private Cord Blood Bank
Step 1: Talk with your practitioner about private cord blood banking. It’s best to discuss the issue early in your second trimester so that you have more than enough time to make your decision (even though it may be difficult to think about your baby’s cord blood when you haven’t even felt those first little kicks yet!).
Step 2: Make sure your practitioner is willing and able to collect the cord blood. It’s rare that a doctor or midwife couldn’t (or wouldn’t) do this simple and quick procedure, but he or she may charge you a fee.
Step 3: Do your research. Any cord blood bank you’re considering should be accredited with the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), which has a list of accredited banks. You can also visit parentsguidecordblood.org, a site that offers detailed information about every private (and public) bank in the US.
Once you’ve narrowed your choices, it’s worth calling them to find out more information about their services. You’ll want the bank’s representative to explain key things to you: How the bank collects and stores the blood (there are different collection and storage methods and you’ll want to make sure that the bank complies with federal standards); how viable the bank’s cord-blood samples are compared with other banks (you’ll want to choose a bank that has demonstrated good odds of getting a usable blood sample); and how stable the company is (you don’t want the bank to go out of business, so explore the pros and cons of choosing a lesser-known, smaller bank versus a larger, well-known bank that has been operating for longer). Parentsguidecordblood.org has a comprehensive list of questions to ask the bank.
Step 4: Decide on a private cord blood bank. Ideally, you’ll want to enroll with your bank of choice by the end of your second trimester or week 27 (since babies can be born early), but if that’s not possible, aim to sign up before week 34.
Step 5: Wait for your cord-blood collection kit in the mail. Once you sign up, the cord blood bank will mail you a collection kit so that you’ll have it ready for the big day (or night!). The kit will probably have a medical form for you to fill out, plus sealed medical supplies your practitioner will use to collect the cord blood. Fill out the form, sign it, and put it back in the kit (but leave the kit’s medical supplies sealed). Pack the kit away in your hospital bag so you won’t have to scramble to find it.
Step 6: Call the bank when you’re in labor (or when you get to the hospital). You’ll probably want to assign this task to your spouse since you’ll probably be a bit (or very!) distracted. Once the bank gets your call, it’ll arrange for a courier to pick up your cord blood after it’s collected.
Step 7: Give the cord-blood kit to your practitioner (or the staff). This will remind him or her about your cord blood banking decision, and it will alert the medical staff that they’ll need to collect some blood from you before delivery (the kit comes with the materials your practitioner will need to collect and send in your blood).
Step 8: Give birth! Right after you deliver (whether it’s a vaginal or cesarean birth), your practitioner will clamp the umbilical cord (a painless, safe, and easy process) and collect the cord blood with the supplies provided in your kit. (You won’t even notice this is happening. You’ll be gazing at that baby!) Your partner can even cut the cord because that doesn’t affect the collection process.
Step 9: Hand off the cord blood kit. Your practitioner or the medical staff will give the cord-blood kit to a secure courier who sends the kit off to the laboratory for storage. It will arrive at the lab no later than 36 hours after you deliver your precious bundle.
Step 10: Wait to be notified. The private cord blood bank will contact you to let you know that your cord blood arrived safely and to tell you how much they were able to collect and process
Maze Cord Blood offers a one time affordable cost with no annual storage fee. In addition, we can help with a payment plan that fits you.
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January 23rd, 2012
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We all know just how important it is to have a birth plan ready for the day you go into labor. Making decisions in advance alleviates any surprises. Of course, you must pre-plan banking your baby’s cord blood. Make sure you have packed the kits you’ve received and any instructions that are necessary. Sheknows.com has put together a comprehensive birth plan creator, so you won’t forget a thing!! Once you’ve completed the questionnaire all you have to do it print it out and put it in your hospital bag. Follow the link to a great birth plan!!
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January 20th, 2012
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So, you’re pregnant…. now what? So many questions, so many decisions. It can be overwhelming at time. But take a deep cleansing breath and relax, you have 9 months to figure this all out! From fitness to birth plans post pregnancy and delivery and the weeks that follow this article gives advice for the first time parent. Sit down with a cup of tea and read……
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January 19th, 2012
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Java, cup o’ joe, latte, cappuccino……Coffee, its one the staples in our morning rituals. The aroma, the sound of percolating coffee in the morning, the steaming cup, and then you wake up and remember that you’re pregnant!!
What to do??????
The jury is out on whether caffeine can actually hurt your fetus, but most health-care professionals do recommend limiting intake. Going cold turkey can be tough, so try lowering your caffeine intake gradually. If you’re a coffee drinker, work your way down to half-caf before becoming a full-fledged decaf drinker. ITs probably better to cut it out but if you must must must have your coffee, limit it to just one cup a day. Read here for more information.
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January 17th, 2012
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Scientists have discovered a new technique for turning embryonic stem cells into insulin-producing pancreatic tissue in what could prove a significant breakthrough in the quest to find new treatments for diabetes. Stem cells have the ability to become any type of cell, so scientists believe they may hold the key to treating a number of diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and diabetes. Scientists believe that transplanting functional beta cells into patients, most likely into their liver where there is a strong blood supply, offers the best hope for finding a cure for type-1 diabetes. It could also offer hope to those with type-2 diabetes whose condition requires insulin injections.
Parents Guide to Cord Blood has a great site and facebook page which explains how stem cells work, what diseases they treat and how to bank your baby’s umbilical cord blood privately as well as publicly
You can read more about this new therapy here.
{Click here for a free information packet and special coupon for MAZE Cord Blood Laboratories! }
Click here for special after Christmas coupon!!
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January 16th, 2012
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Getting a physical before you get pregnant might help you avoid such prenatal issues as gestational diabetes, which can lead to early delivery and Cesarean sections as well as increasing the baby’s risk of developing diabetes and obesity later in life. For more information read this article and start planning now!!!
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December 23rd, 2011
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Cord blood is the blood left over in your baby’s umbilical cord immediately after birth. Your practitioner harvests the blood in a quick, easy, and painless procedure. The reason this blood is so valuable is because it contains hematopoietic stem cells, which are cells that have the ability to develop into any type of specialized cell in the blood and immune system and replace or repair these types of damaged cells throughout the body. Banking your baby’s cord blood ensures that if your child is ever in need of a cord blood transplant it will available for your exclusive use.
Affordability can be a factor in deciding whether you are able to bank your newborn’s cord blood. At M.A.Z.E Cord Blood Laboratories, we are determined to keep our fees low and never charge an annual fee.
M.A.Z.E. maintains the highest possible cord blood standards in the industry. The cord blood is processed by one of the oldest, most respected not-for-profit laboratories in the cord blood bank field. They are AABB accredited and have had numerous successful transplants from their stem cell collections.
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December 22nd, 2011
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From the moment your pregnancy test is positive, you’re probably thinking about what to pack for the hospital when you go into labor. This list from parents.com covers everything from nursing bras to insurance cards, your drivers license and of course slippers!!! However, most importantly is a birth plan; keep it short and sweet and what, if any, decisions need to be made. Include your cord blood banking and storage kit if you have chosen to save our baby’s umbilical cord blood. About a month before your due date, sit down with your partner and discuss this list. When you D-day arrives, it will allow you to focus on your labor and delivery instead of making rash and hasty decisions. Read here for more information.
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December 7th, 2011
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In this video series brought to you by www.whattoexpect.com, Heidi Murkoff tell expectant parents how to go about eating healthy when they are pregnant. First, she says, eat 5-6 mini meals a day instead of the usual three. This will help when you are too nauseous to eat by adding nutrients a little at a time. Remember, early on in pregnancy your pea- sized fetus doesnt require a whole lot. So eat foods rich in lean protein and and non fatty foods. She also reminds women that they only really need an extra 300 calories while they are pregnant, so while you need to be mindful of how much you eat , the main thing is to be conscious of WHAT you eat. You can see the full video here.
{Click here for a free information packet and special coupon for MAZE Cord Blood Laboratories! }
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December 5th, 2011
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In order to understand how to treat Type 1 Diabetes with cord blood stem cells we’ll begin with what cord blood stem cell is. Cord blood is the blood that remains in the newborn’s blood after birth. Collecting cord blood cells is a simple, safe, painless procedure that usually takes less than five minutes and happens immediately after birth. After the umbilical blood has been cut, the remaining blood in the cord is collected.
Now, how exactly does this help to treat type 1 Diabetes? Cord blood stem cells can repair damaged islet-cells so as to improve insulin secretion and regenerate new islet cells so as to replace necrotic cells. With this process, insulin can be secreted more so that the problem that insulin is not enough for body to regulate high blood glucose. By doing this, blood glucose can be decreased on its own. You can read more here.
Banking your baby’s cord blood can used to treat many diseases already including some leukemias, cerebral palsy, some bone cancers and others
{Click here for a free information packet and special coupon for MAZE Cord Blood Laboratories! }
Click here for our sweepstakes and a chance to win $1000 off cord blood banking
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November 29th, 2011
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