Every year in July, people observe Cord Blood Awareness Month in the United States. They understand the importance of donated cord blood and donor cord blood banks. They share what they’ve learned about the subject with other people in-person and through social media in an attempt to raise awareness and save lives.
The Benefits of Donated Cord Blood
As stated before, there are numerous benefits that come with donated cord blood. A few of the most notable include treating over 80 conditions including autoimmune disorders and diabetes, being used for future treatment options concerning a baby because they are a perfect match, and the potentiality for the cells to be preserved for great lengths of time thanks to freezing. That means that all the good stuff that is contained in cord blood gets used to benefit others.
How to Become a Donor for a Cord Blood Bank
Before you give birth, it’s up to you to decide what will be done with your umbilical cord’s blood. If you choose to donate it, you’ll want to register with a reputable cord blood bank. That way, it can be sent to the appropriate party for processing.
You’ll first need to know if you meet guidelines for donation. If you do, you’ll then want to choose a hospital that collects cord blood for banking. Once you arrive at the hospital to give birth, you’ll want to let the staff know of your intentions and sign a declaration of consent.
Getting Your Prenatal Needs Addressed at OBGYN High Desert
OBGYN High Desert handles pregnant women’s needs by first prescribing a prenatal vitamin. Doing so prevents birth defects by providing patients with the right amount of folate to satisfy their growing bodies. At the first detection of pregnancy, it is recommended that women start taking the vitamin daily.