Although it was previously unheard of, banking your child’s umbilical cord blood is becoming a popular practice among new parents. Recent research developments have proved that umbilical cord blood contains a rich source of stem cells that can be used to treat cancers, immunodeficiency disorders and bone marrow failure disorders.

Banking your child’s umbilical cord blood ensures that your child, and any other immediate family members will be well-taken-care-of if they were to ever contract one of these life-threatening diseases. In order to ensure that you will be able to use your own child’s sample, then the best option is to use a family bank which will give you exclusive use of the umbilical cord blood. Otherwise, parents can choose to donate their sample to a public registry.

Although 75 diseases can currently be treated with umbilical cord blood, the list grows as more researchers find new ways to use it. Many researchers are looking into using cord blood to treat brain injuries caused by strokes and cerebral palsy, so the probability that a family will need a cord blood transplant sometime in their lives grows even greater with each new breakthrough that is made.

Expecting parents should speak with their doctors’ months before their due date, so as to ensure they fully understand the benefits and the cord blood banking process.