Families today have the option of banking the cord blood found in their baby’s umbilical cord and placenta. Preserving this prenatal blood allows you and your doctor access to valuable stem cells that can be used to research and treat many illnesses and diseases. The advanced scientific field of regenerative medicine is able to use the stem cells found in the blood from placenta and umbilical cords to treat diseases that are blood-borne. Researchers are testing how doctors can repair and replace tissue and organs that are damaged or not working properly within the body. Stem cells are instrumental to this research.
Diseases that can be treated with the cells found in cord blood include Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, cerebral palsy, diabetes, and liver disease. Additionally, researchers are trying to make progress in treating hearing loss, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and vision problems. When you store your child’s blood from his or her umbilical cord and placenta, you are giving your child access to advanced medicine should the need arise at some point in the future. This is a good idea for any family, but especially if your family’s medical history includes cancer, stroke, heart disease, or blood-related illness.
Talk to your doctor or midwife about preserving your baby’s cord blood once he or she is born. The blood will be stored safely and securely in a blood bank, where doctors can access it quickly and easily if it is ever needed. Many obstetricians have recommended that their patients preserve this special resource, and surgeons who perform transplants also support the practice. The value of stem cells is growing more and more every day, and banking this unique blood is something that many people are choosing to do. It allows you and your family members additional protection against illness and disease in the future.
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