This post is sponsored by Cord Blood Registry ® (CBR ®), but the opinions expressed here are my own.
Preparing for the birth of your baby is an exciting time. Whether it is your first baby or your second, third, or even fourth, there are many decisions to be made and plans to be considered.
One thing that many parents may be unaware of is cord blood banking, particularly with Cord Blood Registry (CBR).
A good friend of mine had a son right around the time that I had my first son. Her son was born with hearing loss. In the months, and even years that followed, my friend did a lot of research into potential treatments that could eventually help her son. For example, she learned that a child’s own cord blood was being studied as a potential future treatment for children with hearing loss. Because of this early research when she became pregnant with a second child several years later, she decided to bank her little girl’s cord blood with the hopes for continued research.
Your baby’s umbilical cord is made of tissue and contains blood, both of which are rich sources of stem cells that are unique and powerful. Cord blood stem cells have been used for 30 years in the treatment of over 80 serious diseases, such as certain blood cancers, immune and metabolic disorders, and hematologic conditions. Research is underway for the use of cord blood in conditions that have no cure today, like autism, hearing loss, and cerebral palsy.* In fact, your child’s cord blood may not only benefit them but also immediate family members (depending on condition and other factors), as my friend’s hope their daughter’s might some day for their son.
Every parent wants the best for their child’s future, and CBR is a resource for new parents in many ways. When you choose to preserve your newborn’s stem cells with CBR, families not only have access to their child’s sample for potential future use, but they also have access to a dedicated team of genetic counselors who can answer questions about stem cell preservation in the context of your unique family history. CBR also invests in the future of stem cell science with their Family Health Registry, which aims to better understand the conditions most common to CBR families and helps connect them to relevant research. Extra perks are their social community and their blog with helpful posts on everything from pregnancy nutrition, to a hospital go-bag list, to parenting tips.
I had heard of cord blood banking, but hadn’t put much thought into it as I didn’t realize the value at the time. Now, the more I learn about it and understand the process I know that with any future children, this will be an option that I consider as part of my birth plan.
CBR believes every family should have the opportunity to preserve their newborn’s stem
cells, and they are offering a code for $200 off initial fees when you fill out your information here. Plus, the process is so easy. All you have to do is:
1. Enroll with CBR online at cordblood.com/enroll or call 1-888-240-1996
2. CBR ships you a collection kit
3. Bring your kit to the hospital on your big day
4. Call the medical courier after your baby is born and the cord blood has been collected by
your healthcare professional
5. Relax. CBR handles the rest and will notify you when the kit has been received.
I know that when it comes time to have more kids, preserving their newborn stem cells with CBR is something that I will definitely consider, especially with their affordable payment plans and a gift registry option where friends and family can contribute to the cost.
*https://www.cordblood.com/stem-cell-research/cord-blood-uses-and-research
