Cord blood donation can save a life

Donating does not cost anything and you can save someone who may be suffering from a disease or condition. If you are pregnant and are considering cord blood donating, there may be a few questions that you may have about how it works. Cord blood is something that may not have been offered before it is offered today to parents who are pregnant and making plans for delivery. When considering cord blood donation, consider what cord blood can do and what it will make possible for the future.

The umbilical cord is vital to provide vitamins and nutrients to the unborn baby while the mother is pregnant. It offers oxygen, antibodies and more to the baby in order to give him or her everything they need for a great start in life. When the baby is born the umbilical cord and placenta is usually discarded because it is no longer needed. But it has been proven that the placenta and the umbilical cord contain cells and other vital tissues that can possibly save someones life.

If you are not interested in banking the cord blood after delivery you may want to consider donating the cord blood and help save lives. This is a decision that you will want to take the time to consider. Once you have reached your decision to donate the cord blood you need to know how to arrange it. Talk to your doctor to make them aware of your decision. You also need to check and make sure that your hospital is set up to take cord blood donations. If so, you will need to contact the hospital to find out what public cord blood bank they use so you can contact them and alert them of your decision. There are some questions that you will need to answer and then you will be asked to sign a form.

When it is time for you to deliver, you need to tell the delivery team that will be taking care of you and your baby. When your baby is born the umbilical cord will be clamped off and the blood coming from the umbilical cord into a sterile bag. The blood will then be tested for diseases and conditions that may otherwise prove to be contaminated or unable to use. Usually within two days the cord blood will have reached the cord blood bank.

You have several options when considering cord blood. You can donate it like discussed here or you can bank the cord blood in a private or a public bank. Your doctor can answer any questions you may have.