Cryopreservation: A Beacon of Hope for IVF and Stem Cell Therapies

Photo: Kathryn's Story — Why I founded an Affordable Stem Cell Safe

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Cryopreservation, an awe-inspiring medical advancement, has brought a ray of hope to two vital areas: in vitro fertilization (IVF) through the storage of frozen embryos and the preservation of umbilical cord stem cells. These groundbreaking techniques offer renewed hope for couples facing infertility and open doors to potential life-saving treatments. In this blog post, let's explore the fascinating world of cryopreservation and its impact on both embryos and umbilical cord stem cells.

I. Cryopreservation and IVF:

In vitro fertilization (IVF) has transformed the lives of countless couples struggling with infertility. Not all embryos created during an IVF cycle are transferred immediately into the womb. Cryopreservation allows the careful freezing of excess embryos for future use, increasing the chances of success.

Remarkably, studies have shown that the survival rate of frozen embryos remains high, regardless of storage time. Embryos stored for decades have shown no significant decrease in survival rate, offering the possibility of building families over an extended period. Some pregnancies have even resulted from embryos stored for as long as 27 years, showcasing the effectiveness of cryopreservation techniques.

II. The Marvels of Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Cryopreservation:

Umbilical cord stem cells hold immense potential for treating various diseases and medical conditions. These cells, collected at birth, are rich sources of hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells, which can be cryopreserved for future use.

Cryopreservation ensures that these valuable stem cells remain viable and potent until needed for therapeutic purposes. Studies consistently demonstrate high post-thaw survival rates for cryopreserved umbilical cord stem cells, making them an invaluable resource for medical treatments. They have been successfully used in the treatment of blood disorders, immune system issues, and certain cancers.

III. What’s important to know about Cord Blood Banking?

1. Cord Blood Banking: A Family Affair:Cord blood banking not only benefits the child but the entire family too. Siblings or other family members with compatible tissue types can also benefit from the stored cord blood, increasing the likelihood of successful transplants. This is of incredible importance to people of color or mixed race people as finding a match for them is even more difficult. Having your own baby’s stem cells stored can provide a potential treatment and secures the family’s health, without the stress of finding a match.
2. A Wealth of Stem Cells:Umbilical cord blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells, similar to those found in bone marrow, which are used to treat a wide range of diseases, including leukemia and other blood disorders. Recently, a huge breakthrough was made for HIV patients who were treated successfully with umbilical cord blood stem cells. Read more about the incredible story here.
3. No Ethical Dilemmas:Unlike other sources of stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells, umbilical cord stem cell collection poses no ethical dilemmas. The collection process is entirely safe and non-invasive for both mother and child. It is done a few minutes after the baby is born and can even be done with delayed cord clamping.
4. Rapid Advancements:The field of umbilical cord stem cell research is rapidly evolving, opening up new possibilities for treatments and therapies. As researchers discover more about the potential of these cells, the future of regenerative medicine looks even more promising. The same applies for placenta stem cells who might turn out to be even more useful.
5. Private Banking or Donation:‍

        - You have the power of choice when it comes to your umbilical cord blood stem cells.

         - Donating cord blood to a public cord blood bank makes it accessible to patients worldwide who require a stem cell transplant. It may potentially save the life of someone else with a medical condition that can be treated with cord blood stem cells at no cost to the donor. However, once donated, the cord blood is no longer reserved for the donating family's exclusive use. It becomes part of a public database and may be used by anyone with a matching need.

         - With Private Banks, such as Anja Health, the cord blood is reserved exclusively for the donor family's use. If needed, the stored cord blood is readily available for the donor child or potentially compatible family members, offering a personalized source of stem cells for treatment. In the case of a known genetic or medical condition that may require stem cell transplantation, private banking ensures that the family has a compatible source of stem cells ready for use. Although private banking was considered to be a “luxury” only for certain people, we at Anja Health have the mission to make cord blood banking as affordable as possible. You can check out our plans here and secure your baby’s and family’s health.

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Cryopreservation shines as a beacon of hope in assisted reproduction and regenerative medicine. It offers renewed hope for individuals and families facing infertility challenges and holds the potential for life-changing treatments.

With ongoing research and advancements, cryopreservation techniques are becoming even more sophisticated, improving survival rates and expanding potential applications. Cord blood banking, in particular, continues to amaze with its numerous benefits and the exciting possibilities it brings to the field of medicine.

Each successful pregnancy and life-saving treatment is a testament to human ingenuity and compassion, promising a brighter and healthier future for all. As we continue to explore the wonders of cryopreservation, we embrace a medical future filled with hope and endless possibilities.

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If you want to learn more about Anja Health, order an Anja Health Stem Cell Collection Kit, or find more placenta and umbilical cord blood banking, pregnancy, and birth resources…

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