The umbilical cord that supplied your newborn with all the nutrients he needed while he was developing inside of you is pretty valuable even after your baby is born.  The umbilical cord blood has been found to contain the same blood-forming stem cells as bone marrow.  These blood-forming stem cells can be invaluable if your child has to fight childhood diseases such as cancer and immune system diseases.

Beginning in the 1970s researchers picked up on the value of the blood found in the umbilical cord and began collecting it and storing it in those cases where the parents gave permission.  Today, cord blood is still being collected, and because of the advances of modern medicine, the uses for the stem cells found in cord blood continue to grow.  Some parents opt to donate their child’s cord blood for public use, while others choose to have it collected and banked for their own personal use.

How does cord blood collection work if you choose to bank your cord blood?  After your baby has been delivered you will deliver your placenta.  Attached to the placenta is the remains of the umbilical cord.  One of the nurses or the doctor will drain the remaining cord blood from the umbilical using a collection kit provided by the cord blood bank of your choice.  The cord blood will then be transported to the cord blood bank and cryogenically (frozen) stored for you.

So is cord blood banking the right choice for you?  That depends.  It is hard to imagine something terrible happening to your child as you hold your brand new little baby in your arms for the first time, unfortunately it does happen sometimes, but remember the odds remain pretty low.  The blood-forming stem cells found in your baby’s umbilical cord may help her win a battle against childhood cancer, blood disease, or immune system disease (and many more I’m sure).  Having the piece of mind that her cord blood has been stored “just in case” may be important to you.  It is important to do your research, talk to your doctor, and decide what is right for your family.

Cord blood banking is not without its disadvantages of course.   Not the least of which being the expense.  The average cord blood banking will cost you $1000-$2000 up front plus additional yearly fees usually in the range of $100/year.  In some cases you may also have to pay for the collection kit, which can cost several hundred dollars.  Also, the cord blood has only been found to be useful in children and young adults so far as the older (and larger) you get the more stem cells you need for a successful transplant.  The amount collected from the umbilical cord just isn’t enough for an adult transplant.  So, the cord blood you bank will not be useful forever.

It should be noted that the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend cord blood banking for those families who do not have a family history of the diseases cord blood can help fight.  In those cases where there is no family history cord blood donation is encouraged and recommended.

This is just another decision for you to make while you are anticipating the arrival of your little bundle of joy (as if there aren’t enough decisions already!!).  Just like with everything else it is important to do your research, talk to the professionals including your doctor, and make a decision that is right for your family based on the facts.

Here are a few links that you may find helpful in your research:

(sources: AAP, Kidshealth, WebMD)