Stem cells are present from the earliest stages of human life shortly after fertilization of the egg. They can reproduce themselves and become any specialised cell within the body. In theory they, therefore, have the ability to repair any damaged or diseased part of the body.
Stem cell therapy is still in the early stages of development. Some people are making huge claims for its potential to cure everything from diseases such as Parkinson’s to regrowing amputated limbs. The truth is that no-one really knows yet how successful stem cell therapy is going to be in the future.
There is a rich supply of these stem cells to be found in the blood contained within the umbilical cord following the baby’s birth. Some people are now deciding to harvest these cells in the hope that future research will find a good use for them.
There are many companies available which offer processing and storage of these stem cells: prices and packages differ. Some companies hold the cells purely for future use by your baby or a close family member. others ask that some of the cells are donated for altruistic use.
DCIM does not advocate the routine collection of stem cells from all babies. We think that more research needs to be done into many aspects of this field not least of which is the question of the effects on the baby of potentially depriving him/her of these stem cells at birth. We do however appreciate that some families may have specific reasons for wanting to harvest these cells and that all women should have the right to make an informed choice about making this collection.
The cells need to be collected as soon as possible after birth but the majority of NHS hospitals will not allow their staff to carry out the collection procedure. In the past this resulted in many fathers attempting to make the collection but in July 2008 the HTA (Human Tissue Authority) tightened the regulations. As a result, collections may only be made by organisations which have a license to do so. These companies must ensure that personnel undertaking the collection procedure have appropriate training and qualifications.
DCIM has a third party agreement with several of the collection companies which allows us to undertake the collection on their behalf. Because we are midwives we have been trained to collect blood from the umbilical cord and we understand the importance of making the collection without disturbing the birthing and bonding process taking place between mother and baby.
Providing you have selected a storage company with whom we have a third party agreement we can collect stem cells at your birth whether you are already a client of ours or if you are using NHS services.
- This service is free to DCIM clients who are already receiving our Full Care Package.
- The fee for cord blood collection is £300. This includes: a midwife being on call to attend your birth 24 hours a day from the first day of the 37th week of your pregnancy until you give birth. Telephone consultation or face to face meeting (according to the client’s preference) to discuss birth plan and collection arrangements.
- Travel expenses to the place of birth.
- The first four hours of attendance at the birth (to include the time taken by the midwife to travel to the place of birth). Any time over four hours will be charged at £20 per hour or part of.