Cord blood contains stem cells. Stem cells are able to form into many different types of cells which make them valuable in the treatment of certain disease like sickle cell disease, leukemia, lymphoma, immune deficiency syndromes, and metabolic diseases.
Private blood banks exist throughout the country. You can ask your doctor about private blood storage services for the nearest facility in your area. Blood needs to be stored in specific conditions at specific temperatures in order to be viable for later medical use. Therefore, you cannot store umbilical cord blood at home. This practice is also illegal in many states.
Using blood from your own child’s umbilical cord does increase the likelihood of a blood transfusion being successful to a small degree. However, oftentimes children respond just as well, if not better, to donor blood. [3] X Trustworthy Source Nature Respected Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal Go to source The likelihood of the blood from your child’s umbilical cord ever being used for your child is slim — less than 4/100th of 1 percent. [4] X Research source It is more than likely your child will need someone else’s blood for a successful transfusion — the child’s own cord may carry the same cells that caused the disease you are trying to treat. However, if you have another child with a preexisting condition that may require a blood transfusion down the line, most medical professional recommend storing a new baby’s umbilical cord. Your child may benefit from a transfusion from her sibling’s blood. [5] X Research source
Keep in mind some private banks offer discounts if you have extenuating circumstances. If you have a family history of leukemia or lymphomas, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, immune deficiency diseases, or metabolic storage disorders this will increase the likelihood a family member will need a blood donation. A bank may be willing to offer you a discount rate in this case. [7] X Research source If you have an existing child who already has one of the above disorders, umbilical cord donation may be a good idea. This child is at an increased risk of needing a blood donation down the road. Once again, a private bank may offer you a discount in this case. [8] X Research source
The Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood Foundation has a worldwide directory of family cord blood banks, which you can browse for free. [9] X Research source Note that cost is not necessarily an indication of quality. Some less expensive blood banks might be cutting corners in potentially unsafe manners, but others might have lower costs simply because they spend less on marketing. Reputation is usually a better indication than anything else. You should also check on the qualifications and experience of those running the blood bank, as well as the company’s viability, stability, and storage technology. [10] X Research source Shop around. If one blood bank can’t offer you a discount, call another. It may take awhile to find the best rates for your financial situation. [11] X Research source
The company you’ve chosen to bank with should send you a collection kit. You must give this kit to the hospital or birthing center at the time of delivery. Even though the hospital will not receive the kit until delivery, you should still make them aware of your intentions beforehand. [12] X Research source Make sure that cord blood is collected after delivery. Doctors and nurses should collect the blood from your baby’s umbilical cord within a few minutes after the birth of your child. [13] X Research source
