Cord Blood Banking

Cord blood banking is when blood from your baby’s umbilical cord is collected and stored after delivery. Cord blood is what's left inside your baby’s umbilical cord after it’s clamped and cut.

Umbilical cord blood is rich in stem cells. These cells are valuable because they help treat many life-threatening diseases. Most healthy bodies make enough stem cells on their own. But some people can’t make enough due to a health condition. In those cases, stem cells from cord blood could be lifesaving. Cord blood banks collect and store stem cells. Healthcare providers use cord blood stem cells for transplants or for medical research.

Some people choose to collect and store their baby’s cord blood, and others don’t. Your healthcare provider typically gives you information about cord blood banking during a prenatal visit.

What is cord blood used for?

Cord blood contains a special, lifesaving stem cell found in bone marrow. These cells are unique because they can mature or grow into different types of blood cells. Their ability to morph into other cells makes them valuable.

People who need stem cells benefit from your baby’s cord blood. These cells can help their bodies make new, healthy cells. Stem cell transplants help people with:

• Cancers like leukemia and lymphoma
• Bone marrow diseases requiring a transplant
• Anemia, like sickle cell disease
• Certain immune system disorders

Researchers are studying cord blood to see how it can help treat other conditions like Parkinson’s disease and diabetes.

How do they find a match for stem cells from cord blood?

Cord blood banks process the cord blood samples they collect. Each sample is given characteristics so it can be matched to people who need it. For stem cell treatment to work, the donated stem cells must match the stem cells of the person receiving them. This process helps healthcare providers and cord blood banks find matches.

Types of umbilical cord blood banking

There are two types of cord blood banks: public cord blood banks and private (or family) cord blood banks.

Public

Think of public cord blood banks as large donation centers. You’re giving away your baby’s cord blood to someone who needs stem cells. Most healthcare providers encourage you to donate your cord blood to a public bank because it helps others at no expense to you.

Once collected, the cord blood is listed in a cord blood registry. Providers can search the registry to find stem cells for people who need a transplant. Public cord blood can be used by anyone who’s a match.

Some details about public cord blood banks include:

• It’s free if your hospital is trained to collect cord blood and works with a public cord blood bank.
• The cord blood is donated to someone who needs it or to medical research.
• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates all public cord blood banks to make sure they meet certain standards.
• It’s anonymous (no one knows the cord blood is from your baby).
• There are eligibility requirements (not everyone can donate).
• If you don’t donate your baby’s cord blood, it’s thrown away.

Only certain hospitals can collect blood for public cord blood banks, so check with your provider to be sure.

Private

You can store your baby’s cord blood in a private blood bank. This means only your family can use it. Private blood banks are helpful for families with a history of health conditions that can be treated with stem cells. It’s also beneficial if you have a family member currently needing a stem cell transplant.

Other details about private cord blood banks include:

• You’ll pay an initial collection fee and yearly storage fees.
• Only someone in your family can use it.
• The chances of needing to use your own cord blood are low.
• The FDA doesn’t regulate them.

Some families choose private cord blood banking for peace of mind. But most children won’t need their own cord blood. Healthcare providers usually recommend private banking when a sibling has a condition that stem cells could treat.

When do I need to decide about cord blood banking?

The exact timing varies, but you should decide by about 34 weeks of pregnancy. Some facilities don’t have cord blood collection kits on hand. In these cases, one must be sent to the hospital each time. You’ll also need to complete a consent form and answer questions about your health history. Private banks will ask you to pay the collection fee before you deliver your baby.

How do they collect cord blood?

Your healthcare provider will collect it right after they clamp and cut the umbilical cord. They insert a needle into the cord to extract the blood. Then, they put the blood into a collection bag. Cord blood collection is harmless and safe. The entire process takes just a few minutes. Your provider sends it to the cord blood bank for you.

How is cord blood stored?

The blood is processed and typed at the cord blood bank. It’s also screened for diseases and disorders to make sure it’s safe to use. If the blood is acceptable, it’s cryogenically frozen. Then, the cord blood bank stores it until they find a suitable match.

How much does it cost to bank your baby’s cord blood?

It’s usually free when you bank your cord blood at a public bank. But not every hospital collects cord blood for public banks. And even then, there’s no guarantee. Check with your healthcare provider to be sure. The cost of private banks varies. Be sure to do your research and understand the rules and costs of private banking.

What are the benefits of banking cord blood?

The most common reasons parents choose cord banking are:

• Cord blood could be used by someone who needs a stem cell transplant to save their life.
• Private blood banking can help someone in your family if they need a stem cell transplant.
• It doesn’t hurt you or your baby.
• It doesn’t impact labor or delivery.
• Cord blood gets thrown away if it’s not donated.

Private cord blood banking is useful if your baby has a biological sibling or family member who could benefit from cord blood. In most cases, your baby won’t use their own cord blood.

Can anyone donate cord blood?

No, there are restrictions. You’ll submit information like your age, medical conditions and more. Cord blood banks use these answers to determine if your baby’s cord blood can be accepted. Some of the questions include:

• Are you older than 18?
• Are you having only one baby?
• Are you related to your birth partner?
• Will your baby have any congenital disorders that you’re aware of?
• In the last 12 months, have you had tattoos or piercings where shared or non-sterile inks, needles or instruments were used?
• In the last 12 months, have you needed blood cell or transfusion support?
• Have you been exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or tuberculosis?
• Have you used a needle to take a drug not prescribed by a physician in the last 12 months?
• Have you had chemotherapy?

Is my delivery affected by donating my baby’s cord blood?

No, donating cord blood doesn’t affect your delivery. You can bank cord blood if you have a vaginal birth or a C-section. Your baby isn’t harmed because the blood isn’t taken from them.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider about cord blood banking?

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about public vs. private cord blood banking or about the process in general. They can provide you with more information and help you decide.

Is cord blood banking still worth it?

Banking your baby’s cord blood is a personal decision. You may decide the expense of storing your baby’s cord blood in a private bank makes sense for your family. Or you may decide to pay it forward and help someone else by using a public bank. Either way, only you and your family can decide what’s best.

Can I keep the umbilical cord if I bank cord blood?

Yes. Your baby will still have a small part of their umbilical cord attached to their belly button. This “stump” dries up and falls out on its own. Some parents keep this piece of the umbilical cord as a keepsake.