Zura Darakhvelidze
Cord Blood Preservation — The New Standard of Modern Parenting
Interview by Ketia Belkania
The birth of a child is one of the greatest miracles in the world. However, in the modern era, this event is no longer associated merely with emotional experiences — it also demands critical decisions. In the delivery room, somewhere between the first cry and the first touch with the mother, a question arises that was unimaginable for previous generations: should we preserve that unique biological material, which, in the future, might become a chance to save a life?
Today, cord blood is no longer just medical waste. It has acquired the status of powerful science, hope for the future, and an entirely new, pragmatic ritual of modern parenting.
One of the leading organizations in Georgia for cord blood banking is the company “Geocord.” Since 2006, this private bank, which holds an international ISO certification, has been offering families stem cell preservation services. Through modern laboratory technologies and collaboration with medical infrastructure, Geocord ensures the collection, processing, and storage of newborn cord blood in liquid nitrogen repositories, making the material available for the treatment of various diseases if the need arises.
We sat down to discuss this crucial topic with Mr. Zura Darakhvelidze, a specialist who works daily on that invisible line where human emotion, parental care, and ultra-modern technologies meet.
Mr. Zura, has preserving cord blood become a sort of “insurance” for peace of mind in modern parenting?
Preserving cord blood is, without a doubt, considered one of the most important and responsible steps a parent can take for their child. This decision does not merely provide psychological peace of mind — it represents a very real insurance policy for a healthy life in the future. Stem cells possess the unique ability to regenerate damaged tissues and the hematopoietic (blood-forming) system. Consequently, this step is directly linked to the child’s safe and secure future.
How safe is this process for the mother and the newborn? Parents are often afraid of medical interventions.
I want to reassure all expectant parents: the process of collecting cord blood is completely safe and painless for both the mother and the newborn. The procedure is carried out immediately after the child is born and the umbilical cord is cut. Therefore, the process does not interfere with the natural course of childbirth in any way, requires no physical contact with the baby, and carries zero risk.
What do you consider to be the biggest myth you encounter in your field on a daily basis?
The most widespread and damaging myth is the notion that storing cord blood is pointless and that its use yields no results, even in internationally recognized centers. The reality is quite the opposite — in modern medicine, at leading clinics, cord blood stem cells are already successfully being used to treat dozens of severe diseases and often serve as the only way to save a life.
Are there cases where you personally advise a family to decline preserving cord blood due to financial or other reasons?
On the contrary, I advise all families to find the time to thoroughly acquaint themselves with the amazing, scientifically proven results of cord blood utilization and to make the necessary investment for their children. I want to emphasize that the money spent should not be perceived as a financial loss, as this decision is considered the most prudent investment made into the fund of one’s own genetics and their child’s health.
Despite the safety, are there any medical contraindications where the collection and preservation of blood are prohibited?
Yes, there are indeed exceptions. We encounter a number of specific conditions where preserving cord blood is contraindicated and is not permitted by medical protocol. One clear example is when the mother is a chronic carrier of Hepatitis B. In such cases, based on biosafety norms, we refrain from performing the procedure.
If parents, for whatever reason, do not make this choice, what do they actually lose?
A parent who chooses not to store cord blood is essentially opting out of the highest biological grade of health insurance for their child. Of course, fortunately, the vast majority of children grow up perfectly healthy. However, preserved stem cells serve as an insurance against those unforeseen circumstances from which, unfortunately, no one is immune.
How often are patients interested in this issue today? Has the level of awareness increased in recent years?
Today, access to information is incredibly easy — the internet is full of such topics, and more qualified, scientific articles are published every day. Medicine is advancing at a rapid pace, yet at the same time, the number of diseases for which cord blood stem cells are critical for effective treatment is also increasing. Therefore, both interest and awareness among parents are logically growing.
From your perspective, is preserving cord blood a medical necessity, an individual choice, or the new standard of modern parenting?
I would unequivocally say that we are dealing with a new standard. The progressive and informed choice of society gives us a massive advantage in the effective treatment and defeat of various complex diseases. Such achievements of modern medicine should become accessible to every family.
The company Geocord and similar high-tech banks allow parents to stop time for those unique cells that form in the very first seconds of a person’s birth. The experience of obstetrician-gynecologist Zura Darakhvelidze clearly shows that cord blood preservation has long ceased to be a luxury or an experiment — it is the future of medicine, which we can already turn into a reliable shield for our children today. The birth of a child is a miracle, but protecting this miracle rests directly in the hands of the parents.