What to do to preserve the umbilical cord

When the third trimester of pregnancy arrives, it is also time to make important decisions. If you are a first timeYou may have been discovering a few things about pregnancy that you had no idea about. So when little-known issues are emerging, it is important to have as much information as possible.

One of the most important things you will have to prepare will be your birth plan. Your midwife will explain exactly what it is. It is essential that you review it as a couple, so that you can both share your opinion and reach an agreement. And maybe the same matron will tell you about the option of conserving the umbilical cord.

It is even possible that in one of the maternal education classes, you have a specific talk about it. But, in these cases it is usually accompanied by a salesperson from a specialized private clinic. And in this case maybe the salesperson is more dedicated to selling their product, instead of explaining well what this process consists of and for what cases it can be useful.

What is the preservation of the umbilical cord for?

The blood contained in the umbilical cord is full of stem cells. These cells are very valuable, since they have the ability to transform into valid cells for any part of the body. They can be used to regenerate organs, tissues or blood. Being so fundamental in the treatment of serious diseases such as leukemia.

Therefore, these stem cells could be used in the future, for treatments in other people. Attention to this important information, these cells would not be valid for the same donor, since in case of having a congenital disease, it would be present in the blood of your own umbilical cord.

If he would have compatibility with his future siblings or with relatives. But, it would also be for anyone else. And here comes one of the decisions to take into account. Umbilical cord preservation can be done in a number of ways.

How to preserve the umbilical cord

We have the possibility of conserving stem cells from the umbilical cord, through specialized private clinics. There are more and more in Spain, although their conservation is usually in other countries due to the difference in legislation.

In our country, stem cells are considered for public use, private banks are obliged to declare all their samples, therefore, if there is a patient who does not find a compatible donor in the public bank, a compatibility would be sought in the private bank.

Therefore, the process of Conservation in private clinics carries a high cost. You must consider that these cells can help in a hypothetical case, for future children or relatives.

Moreover, you have the option to donate the umbilical cord. In this case, you should first know if this possibility exists in the hospital where you have planned to give birth. And if so, inform the health workers to carry out the process.

How are stem cells extracted from the umbilical cord

The only way to collect these stem cells is at the time of delivery. The cord is clamped while it is still latent, when you have not yet delivered the placenta, the umbilical vein is punctured and the blood is drawn. Specialists assure that it is totally harmless and painless, both for the newborn and for the mother.

Public bank or private bank?

The first thing to decide is whether you want to keep those stem cells for possible family use. If so, you should know that the sample is kept for a period of about 15 or 20 years, and is compatible with a family member in a very low percentage. Its cost ranges between € 1.500 and € 2.500.

If, on the other hand, you decide to make it public, it will be completely disinterested. In this case there is no cost.

In any case, and like any decision that respects children, this issue should be discussed as a couple. Find all the information you need, expose the pros and cons. It is a very important decision and as such should be taken calmly. Speak up, and you will make the best family decision.