Lots of new mothers to be aren't even aware of of cord blood banking, in spite of its ever-growing use and continual research. Currently used to aid with ot treat a variety of medical conditions and with more uses being researched continually, it's important that more families hear about cord blood benefits to grow the number of donors of this valuable resource.

Cord blood is that which remains in both the placenta and umbilical cord following birth. This blood contains a high quantity of stem cells that can be used to care for a number of diseases and genetic disorders. Collection is considered quite a safe practice as a whole, with virtually no potential risk for mother or newborn provided the collection is done right.

During a vaginal delivery, cord blood is normally collected before the placenta is delivered but after the child has been cut from the cord. Collection of the blood is performed either via gravity draining from the cord, or by needle extraction. Whichever way, as both the placenta and umbilical cord are separated from both mother and child, the process is completely painless.

Stem cells taken from cord blood collection have been used already to aid with or heal dozens of diseases; including different forms of Anemia, Leukemia, Lymphoma, Osteoporosis, along with various other severe illnesses. Further study continues to uncover additional uses for cord blood, and also methods for growing the number of stem cells from blood collected.

While there are an increasing number of private cord blood banks opening world wide, more parents are choosing to donate the blood to public cord banks. Public cord blood banks amass collected blood for public use and research, and generally won't charge those donating for storage or collection supplies. While donors should ask before collection, hospital staff typically do not charge anything for public cord blood collection as well. Physicians are able to access this cord blood for those that need related treatments, and the more the public banks expand, the better the chance of suitable matches being available.

With all the current medical treatments available as well as the many more being studied, there is no reason not to participate in umbilical cord blood banking, either through public donation or a private bank. Many people are only aware of private banking choices which can be fairly costly, through donating, developing the very stem cell reserves that they might need to access at a later time benefits us all.