What are the benefits of umbilical stem cell storage when you have a baby? Biovault explains the facts
You may have heard about umbilical stem cell storage, but how does it actually work? And how can it help your child in the future?
Be it extra nappies and a change of clothing for a day out, or emergency snacks for a long car journey, the majority of parents are equipped with a back-up plan before they’ve even stepped foot out of the door. But what do we do when our child’s health is in question?
At the heart of umbilical stem cell storage is Biovault, a scientific company that’s been leading the way in human tissue processing for the past 17 years. Working in partnership with the NHS, Biovault offers families cord blood and tissue storage as an insurance policy you’ll hopefully never have to use, but is there to support patients suffering from life-threatening or limiting conditions.
How does umbilical stem cell storage work?
Before your baby is even born, she’s provided with the nourishment she needs via her very own lifeline: the umbilical cord that connects her to her mother. This cord – as well as her placenta – is filled with blood that’s rich in stem cells, which have the remarkable potential to develop into several different cell types within the body.
What makes these umbilical stem cells so unique is that they can regenerate to replace any damaged blood cell in the human body – caused by blood cancers, like leukaemia,
for instance – which allow them to treat diseases in the blood and immune system.
What happens to cord blood after birth?
When your baby is born, this precious cord blood is typically treated as clinical waste and thrown away. But when it’s preserved, it can continue to be a lifeline for babies and families for years to come.
Umbilical stem cells have been used for over 30 years to treat a range of conditions that affect the blood and immune system, from blood cancers such as lymphoma, to solid tumours such as neuroblastoma.
How does umbilical stem cell storage compare to bone marrow collection?
Bone marrow collection can be an invasive and painful procedure, which is what makes umbilical stem cell storage even more favourable to parents thinking about the future. What’s more, the risk of rejection is also eliminated, and your child’s cells will be immediately available, so you won’t have to wait a long time to find a suitable match.
Find out more at biovaultfamily.com.
Read More:
- Harmony Test: Everything you Need to Know
- Everything you Need to Know About Water Births
- Our Guide on Flying When Pregnant
Want more information and inspiration on everything parenting and lifestyle? Just hit ‘Like’ on our Baby Facebook page, and ‘Follow’ on our @BabyMagazineUK Twitter account and you’re all set!
