The forty week long period of pregnancy is unique in more ways than one. The whole experience is essentially bittersweet. But overall it is unique in its essentially positive stance. The curiosity about the unknown, the excitement and associated joy around you, and the sense of bonding with the unborn child, all add up to make it a never before experience. However, advanced medical technology has added another dimension to its uniqueness.

With proper planning, only at the time of childbirth labor, you can give a unique gift to your young one. This is not only a never before but also a never after opportunity. This is the only one of its kind opportunity to bank your baby’s cord blood for future use.

Cord blood banking is a relatively new field. At the time of delivery blood is extracted from the cord that connects the placenta to the tiny baby for supplying essential nutrients.

This blood is sent to the cord blood bank, where stem cells are harvested. These stem cells are crucially helpful if God forbid, the child falls seriously ill, say with cancer. Stem cells eliminate the need for bone marrow transplant. Some other serious illnesses are easily treated with the help of stem cells.

The technology is still in its very early stages, hence is not available everywhere. Secondly, it does cost a substantial amount. Lastly, as of now, it is too early to pronounce a judgment on its efficacy.

The possibilities that such a field of research opens up are exciting. In future, treating serious illnesses like leukemia would become possible. Public awareness helps in continuing the research and making a success of it.