If you’re expecting a child, chances are you already may have some idea about placenta and how it works. However, what you might not know is if it’s worth banking or not, so let’s go further to better understand the benefits of placenta banking.
Fret not!
In this article, we’ll talk about precisely that, and help you understand how it can benefit you for the rest of your lives. So, without making any further ado, let’s get started.
Placenta – What Is It Really?
The placenta, in essence, is a temporary organ, which acts as the lifeline of a baby during the whole phase of pregnancy. It can be found attached to the uterus’ wall and is connected to the child through the umbilical cord.
The organ generally forms right after you conceive the child and starts providing nutrients, oxygen, and growth hormone to the fetus. It also helps various beneficial antibodies from the mother to the baby through the umbilical cord.
What Happens To It After Delivery?
In most cases, the doctors tend to discard the placenta simply after a successful pregnancy and healthy child birth. But, that’s not really a solution in my opinion.
Instead, if you decide to keep it, you can easily collect the blood from the placenta cord and keep it in a bank. This way, you can use it later on if you want to.
What Is Placenta Banking?
Placenta banking is a procedure where you can collect and store the placenta stem cells from the placental tissue.
In this aspect, you’ll need to choose the bank first and talk to them about your decision. Before the due date, they’ll send you a piece of specialized container where you can store the placenta after the delivery is done.
Then, the bank will take the cord blood and store it within their storage system. Usually, you will have to provide a massive amount of money at the beginning.
And, from then onwards, a small amount of subscription-based money needs to be paid until you’re withdrawing the blood for your own usage.
You’ll need to provide the same on a yearly basis.
What Are The Benefits of Placenta Banking?
Before you consider opting for placenta banking, it’s always best to learn about the benefits of the procedure accordingly. Keep reading to know more about it.
- Placenta banking can help you get access to more than one regenerative procedure for almost anyone in your family. It can even help in curing cancer, as per reports.
- The stem cells from placenta can be used for both a child as well as an adult. But, be sure to talk to your doctor accordingly before you make a decision in this aspect.
- Placenta cells can take care of Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, lupus, diabetes, etc. as well. However, more reports need to be formed before we can prove this point.
Cord tissue banking, in essence, is pretty easy to conduct. Therefore, there’s no need to worry about anything at all. After all, the cord tissue collection, processing, and storing – everything else will be done by the bank. All you need to do is provide the money, that’s all, really.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions!
As you can already understand, in this section, we’ll offer some more information on our titular topic in a question-answer format. So, let’s get started with it.
Is The Procedure Non-Invasive?
Yes, the process of collecting placenta or cord blood is, indeed, non-invasive. After all, it was being thrown away, right? All the doctor will do is collect the same and provide it to you. So, you can, then, take it from them and offer the same to the bank.
Which Is The Best Storage Option?
Well, when it comes to an ideal storage option, most people tend to opt for a private model. It will be only kept for you and your family. And, the risk of the blood being affected or getting destroyed is pretty low as well. But, you have to pay a huge amount of money for it.
Wrapping It All Up!
Placenta banking, in essence, can be pretty beneficial when it comes to keeping you and your family’s health secure. Hence, in our opinion, you should definitely store the blood if you’re capable of doing so. It might take you some money for the storage, but that’s worth it.
Hi, I’m the Founder and Developer of Paramedics World, a blog truly devoted to Paramedics. I am a Medical Lab Tech, a Web Developer and Bibliophiliac. My greatest hobby is to teach and motivate other peoples to do whatever they wanna do in life.