You’re considering storing your baby’s umbilical-cord blood in a private bank — but you’re not sure how to go about it? This step-by-step guide outlines what you need to know about private cord blood banking. Excerpted from Whattoexpect.com
Now that you’re pregnant, you’ve probably discovered how many decisions you have to make a day — and how momentous some of them can seem because they now involve that precious little person who is about to join your family. One way to ease your mind about these big decisions is do a lot of research about the topic you’re considering.
When it comes to saving your baby’s cord blood, the more you know the better. Cord blood, which contains stems cells that can treat a host of diseases, can be stored in a private or public bank. What should you take into account as you make your decision about where to store your baby’s cord blood? First, read what you can about cord blood banking. Also look into cord blood research in terms of your family’s medical history to see what diseases it can treat.
Private Cord Blood Banking
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that you consider private cord banking if you have a family member with a disease that may be treatable with stem cells. That’s because your baby’s cord blood may be a better match for that sick family member than a nonfamilial donation. Some families also choose to save their baby’s cord blood as a kind of health insurance — in the event that down the line more diseases may be treatable with stem cells, and you’ll have those cells available to your child and your family.
How to Choose a Private Cord Blood Bank
Step 1: Talk with your practitioner about private cord blood banking. It’s best to discuss the issue early in your second trimester so that you have more than enough time to make your decision (even though it may be difficult to think about your baby’s cord blood when you haven’t even felt those first little kicks yet!).
Step 2: Make sure your practitioner is willing and able to collect the cord blood. It’s rare that a doctor or midwife couldn’t (or wouldn’t) do this simple and quick procedure, but he or she may charge you a fee.
Step 3: Do your research. Any cord blood bank you’re considering should be accredited with the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), which has a list of accredited banks. You can also visit parentsguidecordblood.org, a site that offers detailed information about every private (and public) bank in the US.
Once you’ve narrowed your choices, it’s worth calling them to find out more information about their services. You’ll want the bank’s representative to explain key things to you: How the bank collects and stores the blood (there are different collection and storage methods and you’ll want to make sure that the bank complies with federal standards); how viable the bank’s cord-blood samples are compared with other banks (you’ll want to choose a bank that has demonstrated good odds of getting a usable blood sample); and how stable the company is (you don’t want the bank to go out of business, so explore the pros and cons of choosing a lesser-known, smaller bank versus a larger, well-known bank that has been operating for longer). Parentsguidecordblood.org has a comprehensive list of questions to ask the bank.
Step 4: Decide on a private cord blood bank. Ideally, you’ll want to enroll with your bank of choice by the end of your second trimester or week 27 (since babies can be born early), but if that’s not possible, aim to sign up before week 34.
Step 5: Wait for your cord-blood collection kit in the mail. Once you sign up, the cord blood bank will mail you a collection kit so that you’ll have it ready for the big day (or night!). The kit will probably have a medical form for you to fill out, plus sealed medical supplies your practitioner will use to collect the cord blood. Fill out the form, sign it, and put it back in the kit (but leave the kit’s medical supplies sealed). Pack the kit away in your hospital bag so you won’t have to scramble to find it.
Step 6: Call the bank when you’re in labor (or when you get to the hospital). You’ll probably want to assign this task to your spouse since you’ll probably be a bit (or very!) distracted. Once the bank gets your call, it’ll arrange for a courier to pick up your cord blood after it’s collected.
Step 7: Give the cord-blood kit to your practitioner (or the staff). This will remind him or her about your cord blood banking decision, and it will alert the medical staff that they’ll need to collect some blood from you before delivery (the kit comes with the materials your practitioner will need to collect and send in your blood).
Step 8: Give birth! Right after you deliver (whether it’s a vaginal or cesarean birth), your practitioner will clamp the umbilical cord (a painless, safe, and easy process) and collect the cord blood with the supplies provided in your kit. (You won’t even notice this is happening. You’ll be gazing at that baby!) Your partner can even cut the cord because that doesn’t affect the collection process.
Step 9: Hand off the cord blood kit. Your practitioner or the medical staff will give the cord-blood kit to a secure courier who sends the kit off to the laboratory for storage. It will arrive at the lab no later than 36 hours after you deliver your precious bundle.
Step 10: Wait to be notified. The private cord blood bank will contact you to let you know that your cord blood arrived safely and to tell you how much they were able to collect and process
Maze Cord Blood offers a one time affordable cost with no annual storage fee. In addition, we can help with a payment plan that fits you.
Leave a reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.