As you consider the option of banking your baby's amniotic fluid, weigh the pros and cons for yourself and keep these points in mind:
- The greatest advantage to preserving amniotic fluid cells is that your child will have access to cells that are fully compatible with his or her own body, if the need arises.
- Although there is no guarantee, the amniotic fluid preserved offers other blood relatives a high probability of a match, if needed.
- There are initial and ongoing costs associated with banking stem cells.
- There are risks associated with having an amniocentesis. Speak with your health care provider.
Although current uses for mesenchymal stem cells are limited, the uses could expand rapidly if technological advances with amniotic stem cells are similar to recent advances with cord stem cells. Preserving and storing your baby's amniotic fluid stem cells could potentially offer your child, and other members of your immediate family, an opportunity to benefit from these advances in medical treatments.
For more information, speak with your health care professional so that you may make an educated decision about banking amniotic fluid.
This content was developed with the support of Biocell Center.