What stroller should I register for?
How will I find a good pediatrician?
And will I ever settle on color for the nursery?
There are so many things to think about before your baby is born.
But heres one more decision you may consider: whether to bank your babys cord blood.
Cord blood banking has become more popular over the last few years.
And at some point or another, you may have noticed information about it at your doctors office.
But what is it, exactly and is it something you should do?
What is cord blood?
Cord blood is extra blood thats left in a babysumbilical cordandplacentaafter thecord is cut.
These cells can help treat many types of diseases.
What is cord blood banking?
Cord blood banking is a simple and painless procedure that could save lives.
Immediately after birth, cord blood is removed from the clamped-off umbilical cord.
After that, the blood is frozen and stored (or “banked”) for future use.
When stored properly, cord blood can remain viable for more than 20 years.
Though cord blood banking has gotten more attention in recent years, it isnt new.
Cord blood has been used to treat serious illnesses since the 1980s.
And experts are continuing to learn how it might help with a growing number of diseases and disorders.
Both types have pros and cons, and the best option for your family depends on different factors.
How much does cord blood banking cost?
Cord blood banking can cost nothing if you donate to a public storage bank.
Hematopoietic stem cells can help someone who is sick and in need of a stem transplant.
How the cells are used depends on the cord blood banking method you choose.
What is cord blood banking used for?
Cord blood stem cells are involved in treating more than 80 different diseases.
They also do a better job boosting a transplant recipients immune system than bone marrow stem cells.
(The odds are 1 in 2,700 by some estimates.)
What is private cord blood banking?
The family “owns” the cord blood and can make most key decisions about how it’s used.
Families also choose to save their babys cord blood as a kind of health insurance.
Your practitioner can help you weigh your options and figure out if private banking is the right choice.
What is public cord blood banking?
It may also be used for medical research.
Thats why most major medical organizations (including the AAP and ACOG) encourage public donation.
Donating cord blood is free, and public cord blood banks pay for collection and storage.
There may be less legwork involved in finding a public bank compared to finding a private one.
(Be The Matchmaintains a database that you’ve got the option to check.
If your hospital doesnt participate, take a look at theParent’s Guide to Cord Blood Foundations list.)
Public donors have to meet certain eligibility requirements.
To find out, check out thislist of donor guidelines.
Public vs. private cord blood banking: What’s the difference?
Its a quick, simple procedure that takes between five and 10 minutes.
The blood is collected in a bag and sent off for processing, freezing and storage.
How can I donate cord blood and what happens to it once I do?
The high price tag also means that public banks may limit the number of donations they accept.
Once the blood is collected, it is typed.
What are the top cord blood banks?
Anycord blood bankyoure considering should haveAABBaccreditation.
The bank should be registered with the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) too.
You might start the conversation by saying, Were thinking about banking our babys cord blood.
Can we discuss that so we know what’s involved?
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