What Is Cord Blood??

Umbilical cords do more than mark the future site of a baby’s belly button.They are the unborn baby’s lifeline, providing a connection to the placenta, from which come the oxygen and nutrients needed to survive. Umbilical cord blood (often called cord blood) is the blood left in the umbilical cord and placenta after the baby is born and the cord is cut.Cord blood usually is discarded along with the umbilical cord and placenta.Cord blood is rich in versatile stem cells and can be stored for future use.Umbilical cord blood banking consists of the collection, processing, and cryopreservation of cord blood stem cells.Experts have found that newborn stem cells will not “expire” if properly processed and stored.In fact, research indicates that these cells can be stored indefinitely.1 The oldest cord blood unit to be successfully thawed to date was 15 years old.2When these cord blood stem cells are processed and stored, the cells are not only a perfect match for the baby, but it could also provide life saving benefits for siblings and other family members.