Placental Stem Cells Banking: Pros and Cons

Diseases and bodily discomforts are a part of life! And whilst the medical world has been dedicating itself to find cures for several diseases, so that we humans can survive and thrive – still there exists several ailments that can’t be reversed back to normalcy. The obvious predicament is either death or a lifetime of restricted movement, ongoing costly treatment or a vegetable state of existence.  This is true for diseases like cancer, brain injury, autism and many other immunological disorders. Placental stem cells banking stand as a ray of hope, as it offers a possible means of treatment.

Today, when couples consider family planning, their auto-response is to say yes to placenta cord storage! The blood that is sourced from the placenta has several therapeutic and remedial properties. Though there are few couples who are still on two minds with this idea, but today cord blood stem cell storage has become popular. To have an in-depth and holistic idea about the entire cord blood stem cell storage, here are few pros and cons that you may consider.

Stem Cell Cord Blood Can Save Your Child’s Life

One of the primary reasons for parents to store their baby’s placenta cord blood is that they are able to save their life! The blood can be kept frozen and store for an indefinite amount of time. However, the stem cell surgery gets done usually till the young adulthood age. Irrespective of your baby’s disease that needs a bone marrow transplant, the cord blood can also save his/her life.

Cord Blood Helps to Save a Family Member’s Life

Placenta cord blood also helps to save the life of a very close family member as well. In certain situations, there are families that have other children, who for some chronic ailment require a cord blood stem cell transplant to save their children’s life. Whilst this might not be ethical to few, it might also be the only choice in certain situations.

It Is Usually Accepted By the Recipient’s Body

The stem cell from an infant’s own placenta stem cells banking is perfect for the body to accept. This indicates that for the child it is less likely to opt in for several transplants for this method to work successfully.

The Stem Cells Might Get Developed into Various Kinds of Cells

The stem cells have the chance to get developed in multiple kinds of cells. This denotes that the placenta cord blood cells might get used to treat a wide range of health disorders and ailments.

After a set of positives about placenta cord blood storage, you also need to know about the cons. On the downside of this process, there are two cons you need to stay aware of.

You Should be Prepared For It

If you are opting in for placenta cord blood storage you should decide on this early during your pregnancy. Owing to the process that is not routine, you should ensure that you have it all that is required beforehand and select a hospital that understands the process.

The Process Can Be a Tad Bit Costly

Placenta stem cells banking storage can be expensive. Based on the storage bank that you select to store the placenta cord blood, the cost of the storage will depend. Other than the enrolment expense, you will also need to pay off the maintenance fee as well.

Though it’s true that placenta cord blood storage and collection is expensive, but it is completely worth its price. The capacity to save a life be it your child, a sibling or a family with the saved cord blood is close to a miracle. If you happen to be pregnant you need to consider this option and respond appropriately.