Having a baby is a time when you have more questions than answers. From whether to have amniocentesis to deciding which method of delivery is best for you, new parents are thinking about everything from breastfeeding to baby names. Advice seems to run rampant from doctors, families and friends.

But just as the ultimate responsibility of raising a child falls on the parents, the decision about whether to save stem cells from cord blood arises.

Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth. This blood contains stem cells, which are genetically unique to your baby and immediate family members. These same cells, which are routinely discarded after a newborn's birth, have the potential to be used in life-saving treatments.

The simple procedure to save cord blood cells can only take place at birth, is painless and poses no risk to Mother or Baby. Upon arrangements made by expectant parents, stem cells in the cord blood are collected in a blood bag or syringe, then sent overnight to a special lab where they are separated, frozen and "banked," either in a private facility or donated to a public bank.

Sandy attributed the bruises on her 18-month-old son to be the result of the normal bangs and falls of a toddler. But then other things began to alarm her and her husband. Nose bleeds, fever and loss of appetite concerned his parents who brought him to a hospital. A few months later he was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a rare bone marrow disorder characterized by an impaired immune system and a bone marrow that is not producing enough red blood cells.

"Our first reaction to his diagnosis was no, that's not possible; I mean, he was born a fine, healthy, normal baby," says Sandy, who asked that her last name not be used.

Content on this site is not a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment, and may not be used for such purposes. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical question or condition. Reliance on information presented on this site is at your own risk. This site contains the opinions and views of other users. Given the interactive nature of this site, we cannot endorse, guarantee, or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy, or veracity of any content generated by our users.