The Process of Harvesting and Using Umbilical Cord and Placenta Cells

Trying a new treatment like stem cell therapy can be a difficult decision, especially without knowing where stem cells come from or how they work. 

In this article, we’ll break down the process of harvesting and using umbilical cord and placenta stem cells, touching on issues like post treatment care. After reading this, you’ll feel much more comfortable trying this innovative new therapy. 

Collection Process

Stem cell treatment begins with harvesting umbilical cord or placenta cells. This is done by removing blood from the umbilical cord after it has been cut or extracting cells from placental tissue through various techniques.

The placenta and umbilical cord are typically discarded after birth, which makes the collection process non-invasive and ethical. At clinics like Swiss Medica, placenta and umbilical cord cells are extracted in a sterile environment to reduce the risk of contamination. 

Processing and Testing

After stem cells have been collected, they are processed in a lab, where lab technicians separate the desired cells from other cells. During the initial processing, cells are checked for viability and infections.

Cells derived from the placenta or umbilical cord are then transferred to clean bottles that contain a patented culture medium that is changed every 3-4 days. 

During this stage, which is known as cultivation, stem cells divide and increase in mass. It can take 3-4 weeks of cultivation until there is an effective stem cell treatment dose.

Before administering stem cells to patients, clinics like Swiss Medica put stem cell cultures through rigorous testing to ensure sterility, purity and viability. The lab will test stem cells for viruses or bacteria and analyze stem cell characteristics and genetics. 

Photo by Lucas Vasques on Unsplash

Storage and Preservation

If necessary, placental and umbilical cord stem cells can be stored using cryopreservation. Stem cell cultures are mixed with a cryoprotectant and slowly cooled using specialized equipment until they are frozen. The frozen vials are then placed in liquid nitrogen and stored for as long as necessary.

Cryopreservation allows patients to receive stem cell treatment exactly when they need it and MSCs don’t lose any of their therapeutic properties through this storage method. 

Applications in Treatment

Placenta cells and umbilical cord cells are the preferred cell sources for many patients because they are young and healthy and are typically stronger than the cells of patients with chronic illness. 

Clinics administer stem cells to patients through a simple injection or IV drip. The most common side effect is a slight fever, but this usually passes on its own. Patients can typically continue with their day as normal following treatment.

Photo by insung yoon on Unsplash

Once in the body, stem cells travel to the site of damaged tissue and influence other cells in the area, stimulating the growth of new, healthy cells and regulating the immune system.

Placental and umbilical cord stem cells have a wide range of applications and can be used to treat diseases such as:

• Multiple Sclerosis

• Stroke

• Autism

• COPD

Benefits and Safety

The benefits of this treatment are well worth the stem cell therapy cost. Stem cell therapy can restore cognitive and muscle function and can greatly improve overall quality of life. It’s also not uncommon for disease progression to slow or even stop. 

Patients can see improvements in their condition in as little as a week, but it may take months to see the full benefits of the therapy. The benefits of this therapy depend on the age of the patient, the severity and stage of their disease and other lifestyle factors. 

Placental and umbilical cord stem cells are safe, but patients should undergo post-treatment care to monitor for any side effects or unexpected treatment outcomes.

Ethical and Regulatory Considerations

Stem cell therapy using cells from an umbilical cord and placenta is an ethical treatment, since the placenta and umbilical cord are typically discarded after birth. 

While umbilical cord and placental stem cells are safe and effective, the treatment is not approved in all countries. For example, the FDA has not approved any stem cell therapies for general use in the US. 

Patients who want access to this effective treatment can travel to countries such as Serbia, where they can find high-quality treatment at a more affordable price. 

In conclusion

Stem cells are extracted either from the blood of the umbilical cord or placental tissues and then taken to a lab where they are tested for safety, viability and purity. They are then cultured and stored, ready to be administered to the patient when necessary.

Placenta cells and umbilical cord stem cells are an effective treatment for many diseases. They are ethically sourced and treatment is quick and safe. In the weeks and months following treatment, patients can see a reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life.

By ML staff. Images courtesy of Unsplash.