Chrissie Swan
Why I banked my baby's cord blood: Anyone who's been told they're expecting a child would have to agree that nothing can fully prepare you for the feelings you get, the lessons you're about to learn and the immediate feeling of responsibility that transcends the minute you see that telltale line on the pregnancy test.
With my first child Leo, I was very surprised to see that line! But the feelings of surprise quickly gave way to an innate need to nurture myself and in turn, him. I was very quickly at the checkout with bundles of vitamins, fresh avocados and other leafy things that Google told me were a good idea. My obstetrician was a massive help to me during this time and recommended all sorts of standard tests, to which I surrendered myself over to the next 40 weeks – I called myself the human pin‐cushion, as I was tested for iron levels, blood type, markers for down syndrome, blood sugars, heart defects – the list goes on!
At the same time I was also handed a brochure for cord blood banking, which I read, along with others, and thought, “Sure, it sounds like a sensible idea”. But really, what need would I have for such a service? It told me of the benefits of using cord blood if your child was to ever become really ill. The blood is rich in stem cells, which are like the building blocks of healthy cells, and have been proven to make a massive difference in the healing process for some cancers and perhaps even cerebral palsy and type 1 diabetes.
All these things seemed so foreign and impossible to me, I didn't even want to think about it! I filed it away with all the other bits and pieces I'd received, including twee photography pamphlets, plaster cast services for baby feet, and even baby massage courses – these were the types of things I'd decided weren't really up my alley.
Then I gave birth to my first son and the game changed. As I looked at his little face, I realised that all the folic acid and iron rich tablets I'd taken to ensure his perfection were only the tip of the iceberg! I instantly felt like a mother lion with a cub I'd do anything to protect. As he grew, I realised I couldn't bear the thought of him being hurt, bullied in the playground, having his heart broken when he was a teenager, being fired from a job he liked, or even missing out on that flat he'd set his heart on! As my role of mother became established, I realised my overwhelming desire was one of protection. Imagine if he ever got really sick? What would I do? How could I make things better?
In mid 2010 we welcomed a guest onto ‘The Circle’. She was a mother like so many, just an ordinary woman who'd do anything for her child, except she'd been dealt the blow we all fear – her child was sick, very sick, as he had been diagnosed with leukaemia. She spoke of the powerlessness she had felt at hearing the news, as well as her fear, her sadness and the many other emotions that come along with being faced with a child who needs a lot more to get better other than a Band-Aid, a kiss from Mummy or a half--‐hour stint in front of Hi-5.
Like me, she had received the brochure from her doctor about cord blood banking prior to the birth of her son. She thought, “Why not?” and went about enlisting the help of a collection specialist to store the cord blood from her umbilical cord and placenta. After professionals went about retrieving her son’s store of core blood, he began to show significant signs of improvement. It was working! It would be easy to think of it as a miracle, and this is exactly how it felt to her and her family, but really it was a result of forward-thinking and revolutionary science.
It was there on the couch then that I finally 'got it'. Storing your cord blood is the ultimate insurance policy against the unthinkable. The pamphlets I'd filed away 2 years previously finally made sense, and I decided then that if I ever had another child, that storing their cord blood would be on my must--‐have list, along with vitamins, nappies and breast pads – a necessity!
My way of thinking is this; it's better to have it than not to have it. It's astounding to me that this rich source of potentially life-saving stem cells is often thrown away. Crazy! People often baulk at the cost of such an undertaking, as it is around $3000 and let's face it, who has that sort if money lying around? Not too many of us, I'm betting. But I can justify it like this; cord blood has been stored successfully for up to 21 years with no signs of degeneration. That gives you over two decades of peace of mind for less than I spend a day on my takeaway latte. In fact, the Chippie and I spend more than this in just two years insuring our cars! And if you don't use it, you can donate it, or use it for another sibling (there's a 25% match chance). It just makes infinite sense to me...
So I've made the decision to save the cord blood. I hope we never have to use it. I hope a cure is found for all diseases and the cord blood is pointless. But failing that utopian outcome, we are prepared for the worst-case scenario, and I feel like I've covered all bases and can get on with the task of showering my little family in good vibes, mummy's love, and fostering a love of mashed potatoes, dancing and Smurfs – the things I DO have control over!
