What is Cord Blood?
Cord blood is the stem cell rich blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta immediately after your baby is born. These stem cells are known as Hematopoietic stem cells, or blood forming cells, the building blocks of our blood, and are the foundation of our immune system.
The Value of Cord Blood
Cord blood stem cells are incredibly powerful and unique. They can reproduce into red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout our bodies; white blood cells, which fight off infections; and platelets, which create clots preventing us from bleeding excessively. They can boost the immune system and repopulate new blood cells after being damaged by disease or illness.
Benefits of Cord Blood Banking
Cord blood banking preserves your baby’s stem cells, providing a potentially life-saving resource for the future. Benefits include:
- Treats Multiple Diseases: Stem cells can help treat over 80 conditions, including leukemia, lymphoma, and certain metabolic disorders.
- Emerging Therapies: Research in regenerative medicine may expand future uses of cord blood.
- Peace of Mind: Having cord blood stored offers security for your child and may be compatible with siblings or other family members.
- Accessible & Flexible: Modern banking offers flexible payment plans, streamlined collection, and long-term storage options for decades.
How Cord Blood is Collected
The process of collecting cord blood is straightforward, safe, and painless for both mother and baby. Immediately after the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut, the healthcare provider begins drawing blood from the remaining cord into a sterile collection bag.
Cord blood collection does not interfere with the delivery process or the immediate bonding time between mother and baby. The collection occurs after the baby is born and is handled by trained healthcare professionals to ensure safety and efficiency. It is a completely non-invasive procedure, allowing families to focus on the special moments following the birth, while also securing a potentially life-saving resource for the future.
Many families find cord blood collection to be a seamless addition to their birth plan, offering long-term benefits without any additional stress or complications during delivery.
What Happens to the Cord Blood After Collection?
After the cord blood is collected, it is carefully packaged and transported to a specialized processing laboratory and storage facility. Once it arrives, the cord blood undergoes a series of processing steps to ensure that the stem cells are properly prepared for future use. During this process, the stem cells are separated from the rest of the blood, tested for viability, and then cryopreserved for long-term storage.
Cryopreservation involves freezing the stem cells at extremely low temperatures, which ensures that they remain viable for decades. This preservation method is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the stem cells, making them usable whenever they may be needed in the future.
Throughout the process, strict safety measures and quality control protocols are followed to ensure the highest level of care for each sample. Each unit of cord blood is carefully labeled, tracked, and monitored to ensure it remains in optimal condition over time. With these stringent procedures, parents can trust that their baby’s cord blood will be a reliable resource for potential future medical treatments.
How to Enroll in Cord Blood Banking
Enrolling in cord blood banking with AlphaCord is a simple and streamlined process. Follow these easy steps to get started:
- Sign Up Early: It’s recommended that parents sign up for cord blood banking before the third trimester to ensure ample time for preparation. This gives you peace of mind well ahead of your baby’s arrival.
- Complete the Paperwork: Once you decide to enroll, you’ll need to fill out some basic paperwork to initiate the process. AlphaCord’s team will guide you through these forms, making it quick and straightforward.
- Receive Your Collection Kit: After signing up, AlphaCord will send you a cord blood collection kit. This kit contains everything your healthcare provider will need to safely collect the cord blood at the time of delivery.
- Prepare for Delivery: Bring the collection kit with you to the hospital or birthing center on the day of delivery. Be sure to inform your healthcare provider that you are banking your baby’s cord blood so they can follow the necessary procedures.
- Safe Collection and Transport: After your baby is born, the cord blood will be collected and safely transported to AlphaCord’s storage facility.
Why Choose AlphaCord
When it comes to cord blood banking, AlphaCord stands out as a trusted leader in the industry. With a stellar reputation built on years of experience, AlphaCord has become a go-to choice for families seeking a reliable and affordable option for preserving their newborn’s stem cells.
One of the key advantages of AlphaCord is its commitment to making cord blood banking accessible to more families through competitive pricing and flexible payment plans. This affordability does not compromise quality—Alphacord utilizes advanced storage techniques, ensuring that your baby’s cord blood is stored under the highest standards of care and safety.
Additionally, AlphaCord is known for its excellent customer service. Their team is dedicated to guiding parents through the entire process, from collection to long-term storage, answering any questions along the way. Families choose AlphaCord for the peace of mind that comes with knowing they are working with a company that prioritizes safety, affordability, and customer satisfaction.
Learn more about why AlphaCord is the right choice for your family’s cord blood banking needs.
FDA approved uses:
- Cancers
- Blood Disorders
- Immune Disorders
- Metabolic Disorders
Clinical trials:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Cardiac Problems
- Acquired Hearing Loss
- Autism
Ready To Store?
For nearly two decades, AlphaCord has worked with hundreds of thousands of families to preserve their newborn’s valuable stem cells through cord blood and tissue banking. You only have one chance to save your baby’s cord blood, cord tissue, and placenta tissue. All the AlphaParents are doing it. Join the family. Learn why every day, more expecting parents choose AlphaCord.
Ready To Store?
For nearly two decades, AlphaCord has worked with hundreds of thousands of families to preserve their newborn’s valuable stem cells through cord blood and tissue banking. You only have one chance to save your baby’s cord blood, cord tissue, and placenta tissue. All the AlphaParents are doing it. Join the family. Learn why every day, more expecting parents choose AlphaCord.
