How to Save Cord Blood

Saving umbilical cord and placental blood can be a potential lifesaver for your new child, older siblings or other relatives. Rich in stem cells which can grow into disease-fighting white blood cells, cord blood is routinely used in place of bone marrow donation and to treat leukemia patients. The blood is collected after the delivery of your baby in a noninvasive and painless way, and can be stored for future use or donated to save other lives.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer Desks
• Home Computers

1. Decide what you want done with the cord blood. If you are saving the cord blood from a birth, decide if you want to donate the blood or save it for your family's future use. Saving the cord blood can cost anywhere from $1,500 for processing and initial storage to $80 for annual storage.

2. Research. If you are saving the cord blood, shop around for a reputable cord blood bank. Ask for credentials and qualifications for storing blood and get second opinions. If you are donating, choose an institution whose philosophy for using the cord blood is similar to yours. Do you want the cord blood donated to patients suffering from a medical condition, or do you want the blood used for medical research?

3. Find an institution early. The kits for collection have to be sent to you ahead of time. Take time to familiarize yourself with the institution's process and fees.

4. Let your doctor or midwife review the procedure for collection prior to delivery. Ask any questions you might have or ask for referrals to reputable institutions or studies.

Tips & Warnings

• Research online by typing "cord blood" as a keyword in a search engine, such as Yahoo or Google.

• Consider donating your cord blood to a children's medical research or donation center.

• Research your family's medical lineage to see if you or your children might have a need for future cord-blood transplantation.

• Avoid being overcharged or choosing an incompetent storage facility by getting a second opinion about the institutions you consider for storing your cord blood.