Should i store cord blood

If a family has a known genetic problem that puts them at risk of developing an illness that could be treated with cord blood, then it makes sense to keep it for family use. It is only recently that we realized how precious cord blood is; before then, we threw it out. We still throw it out heartbreakingly often.

Show which way you are leaning right now. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. I should bank my baby's cord blood in case my baby gets an illness that can be treated with stem cells.

I have to arrange ahead of the birth to have my baby's umbilical cord blood banked or donated. I may be able to donate my baby's cord blood to a public blood bank for use in research or to help other children. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.

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Important Phone Numbers. Get the facts. Your options Have your baby's cord blood collected and sent to a private cord blood bank or a public cord blood bank. Do not bank or donate your baby's cord blood. Key points to remember Doctors do not recommend that you bank cord blood on the slight chance that your baby will need stem cells someday.

If your baby were to need stem cells, he or she would probably need stem cells from someone else rather than his or her own stem cells. Although privately banked cord blood is not likely to help your baby, it may help a sibling who has an illness that could be treated with a stem cell transplant. These include leukemia , sickle cell disease , Hodgkin's lymphoma, and thalassemia.

Doctors recommend that you bank your baby's cord blood only if a family member already has one of these illnesses. You might consider donating the cord blood to a public bank instead. You probably won't be able to use the blood, but it could be used for research or for another child. Private cord blood banking is expensive. If you want to save the cord blood, you must arrange for it ahead of time. It is not a decision you can make at the last minute. Collecting the cord blood does not cause pain.

What is umbilical cord blood? What is cord blood banking? How much does it cost? Some private blood banks will waive their fees for families who need the stem cells right away. What other things should you consider? It is very unlikely that anyone in your family will ever need your baby's cord blood.

Learning that your child is likely to develop a serious disease can be scary or depressing. This information may also affect your relationships with other family members. If your child tests positive for a gene that will cause a disease, you may decide to use treatment, if available, to prevent the disease or to make it less severe.

Although many treatments work well, others may be unproved or may even be dangerous. Why might your doctor recommend banking your baby's cord blood?

Your doctor might recommend privately banking your baby's umbilical cord blood if: You have another child who has a disease that could be treated with a stem cell transplant.

Compare your options. Additionally, not all moms can donate their cord blood. For example, you generally aren't eligible if you're younger than 18 years old, have a history of cancer or received chemotherapy, or received treatment for a blood disease such as HIV or hepatitis. Learn more about eligibility here. It might also not be possible to donate cord blood with premature a baby or multiples, as there may not be enough blood to collect.

Whether you use a public or private bank, you'll still need to be tested for various infections such as hepatitis and HIV. If tests come back positive for disease or infection, you will not be able to store your cord blood.

People shouldn't be made to feel that they haven't done everything they could for their child. You should count on doing some research to find a cord blood bank that suits your needs. Szczepiorkowski serves as chair of the Cellular Therapy Standards Committee, evaluates and accredits many of the nation's private and public cord blood banks. He also suggests a number of questions parents might ask:. Are you accredited by AABB or some other accrediting body?

Accreditation is not required, Dr. Szczepiorkowski notes, but voluntary accreditation shows the company has met some set quality standards. How do you prepare and store the sample?

The AABB suggests that the white blood cells be isolated first and that the sample be stored in plastic bags, not vials, to lower the risk of contamination although experts debate this issue. How much does it cost? Understandably, says Dr. Szczepiorkowski, the expense may make the decision for you.

He also notes that higher-priced banks are not necessarily better in quality. How quickly will the cord blood be transported to your facility? The quicker the better, says Dr. Szczepiorkowski, although the issue of timing is still a gray area. Ideally, the cord blood sample should arrive at the facility within 24 to 48 hours. Research into the benefits of cord blood banking is ongoing.

Cord blood banking is an entirely personal decision that parents-to-be need to research thoroughly. You could find out about a gene that may one day give your child a disease. This news could affect your child's future. Don't bank cord blood Don't bank cord blood The umbilical cord is thrown away after birth.

You save money by not putting blood in a private cord blood bank. Your child could later get an illness that could have been treated with a stem cell transplant. But experts say the chance that a child will need a transplant of his or her own cells is very small. Personal stories about cord blood banking These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. What matters most to you? Reasons to bank your baby's cord blood Reasons not to bank your baby's cord blood.

The cost of putting the cord blood in a private bank worries me. Cord blood donation is not available in my community. We don't plan to have any more children. My other important reasons: My other important reasons:. Where are you leaning now? Banking my baby's cord blood NOT banking my baby's cord blood. What else do you need to make your decision?

Check the facts. True Sorry, that's not right. Doctors do not recommend that you privately bank cord blood on the slight chance that your baby will have a disease that could be treated with stem cells.

False You're right. I'm not sure It may help to go back and read "What other things should you consider? True You're right. You have to arrange ahead of time to bank or donate your baby's cord blood. It is not a decision you can make at the last minute before or during your baby's birth.

False Sorry, that's not right. I'm not sure It may help to go back and read "Key points to remember. Depending on where you live, you may be able to donate the cord blood.

Call the hospital where you plan to give birth to ask about this option. Decide what's next. Yes No. I'm ready to take action.

I want to discuss the options with others. I want to learn more about my options. Your Summary. Your decision Next steps. Your knowledge of the facts Key concepts that you understood. Key concepts that may need review.

Getting ready to act Patient choices. What matters to you. Print Summary. Credits and References Credits. Armson BA Umbilical cord blood banking: Implications for perinatal care providers. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, 27 3 : — American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists , reaffirmed Umbilical cord blood banking.