In India, stem cell banking is a relatively new concept but a pivotal one. It points to a major positive shift taking place in the management and treatment of several serious conditions, which bodes well for the health of our future generation. In fact, the entire process of stem cell banking is so easy that it is common to mistake it as too simple a solution to future health problems, but it truly is the most effective and powerful one!
So if you are an expecting parent on the verge of contemplating stem cell banking, read through this guide to know how it works and what your role is in the entire process.
Stem Cell Banking: What It Is & Collection Process
Stem cell banking is the process of collecting and storing stem cells derived from your baby’s umbilical cord right after their birth. It might sound painful or inconvenient, but it is a completely painless and hassle-free process as the extraction is only conducted after the umbilical cord has been severed from both ends. That means, neither you nor your baby will ever know that a needle was inserted into the cord to collect the blood within it.
That said, the collected samples are stored in a tamper-proof bag and sent for testing. Once they clear all medical tests, they are stored in cryogenic facilities so you can use them in the future if needed. It really is that simple!
As for what the entire process entails, you will have to register yourself with a stem cell bank early on in your pregnancy – preferably within the second and third trimester. Once you register yourself and pay the fee for your chosen storage and coverage plan, you will be sent a collection kit which you have to store safely and carry with you on the day of your delivery.
Before you head to the hospital for delivery, make sure you notify your medical team and cord blood bank of your arrival so a paramedic can be sent for collection. After collection, you have nothing to worry about. Once the collected sample clears all medical tests and is sent for storage in a hi-tech facility, you will receive an email notification detailing everything about your deposit.
What Is The Purpose & Advantage Of Stem Cell Banking?
Stem cells have always been considered an effective treatment for a number of seemingly incurable or fatal conditions. However, extracting stem cells or finding matching donors was previously an extremely difficult process. The purpose of stem cell banking is to streamline and simplify it so parents don’t have to scramble to find a donor when they need it the most. Plus, its ability to support and accelerate healthy cell turnover makes it critical for treating a number of conditions including:
- Blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma
- Blood disorders such as anemia or sickle cell disease
- Diseases that require bone marrow transplants
- Immune system disorders
There are more advantages to opting for stem cell banking. For example, by opting for a family coverage plan, you can protect not just your baby but also their siblings, yourself, and other blood-related family members from the host of diseases mentioned above. Also, emerging research suggests that stem cells might be an effective cure for more diseases in the future, including conditions such as diabetes, cerebral palsy and certain heart conditions.
Types Of Stem Cell Banking Expecting Parents Should Know About
Finally, let’s talk about stem cell types you need to know about to make an informed decision. You have three options here:
Public Stem Cell Banking
Public cord blood banks are essentially donor banks where you make your deposit for free to be used by a community of people who do not have the means to make their own deposits in private cord blood banks. It’s a safe and anonymous procedure that champions the good cause of making stem cell transplants accessible to everyone – especially those in need.
Private Stem Cell Banking
Private stem cell banking takes a completely different approach. It is completely private and comes with a high deposit fee and annual charges. However, it gives you the peace of mind that only you and your family can access deposited units when needed. No one else has any right to them.
Hybrid Stem Cell Banking
Hybrid stem cell banking such as LifeCell’s Community Stem Cell Banking are a healthy mix of both private and public stem cell banking. While the collection is private and anonymous and comes at a reasonable fee, parents who make a deposit also get access to a wider community pool of other units. This increases their chances of finding a perfect donor match in case their own deposit doesn’t offer the same level of compatibility required for a successful stem cell transplant.
Conclusion
Stem cell banking is a smart investment into your baby’s future and there is no denying that. However, parents with pre-existing genetic conditions should be open to the idea that their deposits might not make the cut. Every unit has to undergo medical tests to determine its viability as a future treatment option so opting parents themselves accordingly for any outcome. That said, trying out stem cell banking is definitely the right call.