Tom

Does anyone have any good information on cord blood banking?

We're trying to make the decision to try to store our baby's cord blood in a private cord blood bank (I assume Viacord or Cord Blood Registry). The cost for this seems to run somewhere in the neighborhood of $3000-3500 with collection and storage (about 1/2 up front then 1/2 divided annually over the life of storage). According to one thing I read, storage can go as long as up to 21 years yet something else I read says that cord blood may only be viable for somewhere around 10 years. Not sure what's the reality with regards to longevity.

After some reading, I'm still confused as to the current "value" of banking cood blood. In other words, some articles have led me to think that the chances of using cord blood are super-super-slim and maybe storage only makes sense if you already have a child with a particular illness, or family history of particular illnesses. But advancements come so fast maybe in 5 years there'll be one or more new uses for cord blood that will make it valuable to have had saved the blood. Of course a parent would do anything within their power to ensure the health of their child so maybe it makes sense to do this for any amount of insurance it might provide.

Confusing. Any insight is appreciated.

There is public cord blood donation available in our area which is great and I see no reason not to do this if we decide against private.

Also interesting, we learned in birthing classes that there is really no danger in cord blood collection process but under certain circumstances they might not do the collection at all. I think one example was if your baby's blood volume was low the Dr. might "milk" the cord to get additional blood back in to your baby's bloodstream.

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Kaytee

hey I would say that it is a nice thing if something happens. Leukimia has a much higher rate of going into remission with cord blood among other things. However as you said chances are you will not need it. Its a tough personal thing you will have to work out between you and your wife. I personally would do it if I could afford it, but there is no way I could. Donating is a wonderful gift to give others. If anyhting definately do that.
As far as when they won't do it, I don't know much about it, but if its an emergency situation, no they won't worry about that and only worry about the baby. Of course at that point who would care about the cord as long as the baby is fine. Now I will tell you they are many benefits to cutting the cord after it stops pulsing. If you do' tknow abou that let me know I can pull some links for you, or you can research it yourself.

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Tom

Thanks Kaytee - that helps.

And yes I'm interested to hear about cutting after pulsating. If you have some links handy, post 'em or else I'll do some digging myself.

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Tom

This seems to be a great resource:

http://parentsguidecordblood.org/

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Kaytee

http://www.labouroflove.org/birth/delayed-cord-cutting/

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0618224104.htm

Hers one on banking cord blood
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/1/t012700.asp

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Tom

Wow - thanks so much. Seems to make sense (let nature do its thing). We have a Dr. appt. tomorrow morning and this is first on my list to ask questions about.

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Kaytee

go prepared, from what I have heard doctors don't like to be told that the patients want it done a certain way. I personally have not had this problem but have talked to many women on line that sad they had to very firm in their stance not to cut it until its done pulsing unless of course of emergency

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If you can't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them!
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Tom

Will do. I was wondering if there'd be any resistance ... I should know more after the Dr. visit tomorrow (get a sense of the staff's stance on this in general).

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Kaytee

Good luck, hope all is well with baby and momma!!

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If you can't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them!
http://www.spcnicholasidalski.com

Tom

Thanks. So far so good ... just a routine visit.

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