Cord Blood Banking- Birth forum

Most expectant couples are aware of the option of banking their baby's cord blood. You have likely seen advertisements for umbilical cord blood banking in the mail, at doctor's offices, in magazines and other places. There are many pros, cons and differing opinions regarding the idea of cord blod banking. Although the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend storing the cord blood at a private for-profit agency based on the pros and cons, each family will need to make that decision on their own.

How is cord blood banking done? Once your baby is born, the blood is extracted from the cord, sent to the lab for processing and cryogenically stored. Cord blood can be collected in-utero or ex-utero. If you choose to have the process done in-utero, the cord blood will be collected while your placenta is being delivered. The doctor will simply draw the cord blood from the umbilical cord. If you choose to have the cord blood collected after both the baby and placenta have been delivered, the placenta will be placed in a sterile supporting structure with the umbilical cord hanging for support. There has to be atleast 75mL of cord blood collected to get a useful amount. All cord blood samples are tested for HIV, hepatitis, tissue typing and other diseases.

What can be done with the umbilical cord blood? If your baby were to become sick and need a bone marrow transplant, the cord blood that has been stored is readily available. Stem cells from the umbilical cord can treat leukemia, lymphoma, certain caners, sickle cell disease and other metabolic disorders. Because this was your child's blood, there is no reason to worry about finding a matching donor. If you have another child or family member that is suffering from a disease in which a stem cell transplant can help treat, the stored cord blood can also be used for them.

How much does this process cost? There are several different companies that offer this service and the fees vary slightly. However, for the first year of collection and storage, you can expect to pay approximately $1500. Each additional year that the cord blood is stored, you pay a storage fee of approximately $95. There are also programs at certain hospitals that offer free cord banking to families that are interested in donating their baby's cord blood for other recipients that are need of a transplant.

Comments: Cord Blood Banking

Comments 1 to 22 of about 22.
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strackbaby - 27 days ago.
Insurance should cover CBB! It makes me mad that they don't. It would save them tons of money! Those greedy bastards! (Sorry, I'm bitter towards rich insurance companies) Its either - save the cord blood or feed my family, its too darn expensive! I wish I could.

skjunior - 72 days ago.
I am so confused abt this cord blood banking..I want to donate my baby's cord blood..but one of my colleagues is also pregnant and she is gonna bank her baby's cord blood..she gave me a lecture abt how it is an investment and not a waste of money..well, I never looked at it as a money thing as we can afford it but I feel like rather than saving it and praying for nothing to happen, why not give it to someone in need? The stat says 10000 kids every year are looking for donors..( I am not judging anyone or meaning to offend, it's just purely my own opinion and justification for donating it)..Am I wrong to think that, does that make me a bad parent for my baby?

adalma - 74 days ago.
i found this sites were you can donate your blood cord. used it if you can http://www.cryo-intl.com/enroll/donating/index.php?action=send to donate anywere in the us http://www.marrow.org/HELP/Donate_Cord_Blood_Share_Life/ this will help you find a hospital near you that takes donation.

pregnantdebs - 83 days ago.
HOW DOES THAT WORK IN THE UK (SCOTLAND) HOW MUCH DOES IT COST AND HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT DONATING IT JUST WOULD LIKE SOME INFO ON IT AS I HAVE NEVER REALY HEARD OF IT BEFORE HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO DONATE IT THANK YOU ALL X

bebek2 - 83 days ago.
I used Viacord with my daughter in 06. Even though it was expensive and I pray I never have to use it, I feel better knowing that it is there. I do remember the labor nurses commenting that preferred my kit to some of the others they had used.

kater - 96 days ago.
yes cord blood IS a terrible thing to waste. in an ideal world, cord blood banking would be standard practice. unfortunately, most of the population simply cannot afford this. i am donating my baby's cord blood, i did with my first child too, and i feel really good, knowing my baby has possibly helped save another's life

cdgator - 135 days ago.
If anyone has looked into this more, is there a certain company that is better than another? I've heard a lot about CBR and Viacord... Any suggestions?

res - 162 days ago.
I asked a pediatrician,and he said donate it, but don't bother collecting it for our own baby.

yumeyu - 162 days ago.
I've just attended a cord blood bank seminar on sunday, and which I found is very informative. I highly recommend all parents-to-be to attend one of those seminar before making decision of whether saving it or not. I totally think is better 'in the beginning' to get information from the professionals than listening decisions from others judgement and opinion. Even you decide the cost is too much to save your own child's cord blood. I think is great to donate and help ppl who is waiting for so long for the matching stem cell. Please visit www.stemcytefamily.com, you can save your own baby's cord blood there plus you could 'DONATE' to this blood bank. I totally agree with zainysmom , i think blood cord is a terrible thing to waste. And I think is such a nice thing that you could help others in this world with your new born cord blood, if you decide not to save it. Don't waste it, and you could save someone's life. How meaningful is that!

zainysmom - 176 days ago.
Hey everyone. I am 21 weeks pregnant and ironically work in umbilical blood cord banking as my profession. If anyone needs any information just send me a msg. I will bank this babys blood it can save any of my childrens lives and you can put a price on that. Good luck to all. Blood cord is a terrible thing to waste.

charlies - 187 days ago.
we found this website to have a lot of helpful information about cord blood banking (cordbanking.org)

RichelleH - 203 days ago.
I think it is a great Idea. Anything to help! I wanted to donate the cord for other babies if there in need but my ML told me about cord blood banking. BUT ITS SO EXPENSIVe! Goodness! I am thinking about it

aajones1218 - 214 days ago.
hey im 17, i wanna do the cord blood banking.. i need more info pls. im in tucson! lol

greengoddessagen - 215 days ago.
I love the idea of donating babies cord blood .... but I also like the idea of not cutting or clamping the umbilical cord for at least 30 minutes after birth so my baby gets this rich blood and a great start to life, as well as not rushing the birth process and adding to the stress of my babies first hour on the outside!! Does anyone know if it is possible to do both?

BEXi - 217 days ago.
I heard on the news people donating cord blood.. If it doesnt cost anything, I would be glad to.. The banking is just RIDICULOUS cost!! And for something you might not even use..

mrsgrenat - 217 days ago.
I'm not sure how to go about donating it, I think you just let them know at the hospital. I looked into the banking and it's rediculously expensive! I definitely want to donate though!

russianprynces80 - 233 days ago.
Does anybody know how to go about donating the cord blood?

kenziesmom - 240 days ago.
I actually checked into doing this and my doctor pretty much advised against it. She said that if your child gets some kind of cancer or what have you that they will do traditional method first before they even touch the cord blood that you banked. She said that cord blood banking is a very last resort. So unless we ahve money sitting around that we just want to spend on it she would advise not to.

cheralyne - 243 days ago.
I have registered with Viachord but now I'm having doubts of whether to actually go thru with saving it for us and maybe I'll just donate it. I think we'll lose $100-150 deposit once the baby is born. They have been able to duplicate the amount of cells collected and are working on being able to multiply that even greater which then would make the collection amount enough to treat an adult illness. They are not there yet though but it's only a matter of time. Right now the collected amount is only good for a 90lbs or less child (12 year old or younger). It would be awful if my child were to become ill and this could've saved her but the chances of that really are so low which must be why the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend this. The total cost for initial storage +25 years if you pay up front with Viachord is just over $4,000.

ladyann - 243 days ago.
thanks for the info.

ladyann - 244 days ago.
I too would love more info. First hand experiences would be great!

sna - 244 days ago.
Has anyone checked into doing this? Does anyone have any first hand experiences or information they can share? I have checked into into banking a little bit but would appreciate any additional information.

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