How to Bank a Newborn's Cord Blood

Banking your newborn’s cord blood is a decision that parents need to make before a baby is born. If the baby’s cord blood is banked, the stem cells found in the blood can later be used to fight life threatening diseases including leukemia, sickle cell disease and lymphoma. Once you have decided that you wish to bank your baby’s cord blood, there are some steps that you need to take.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Speak to your doctor. Ask their opinion on banking the cord blood and see if they have any recommendations for companies that you should use.

2. Contact several cord blood banking companies. Find out their initial fees as well as storage fees. Ask for literature to be sent in the mail.

3. Bring the kit provided by the cord blood bank to your delivery. The physicians and nurses need to be aware that you are using the collection kit.

4. Allow an obstetrician or nurse to collect the blood from the umbilical cord. They will use several tubes and needles to collect the most blood possible. They will place the blood in sterile syringes or bags.

5. Send the cord blood to the storage facility by courier. The stem cells will then be removed from the blood and cryogenically frozen. If you need the stem cells for a transplant, you will contact the facility and they will thaw and send out the banked cells.

Tips & Warnings

• You can decide to donate your newborn’s cord blood. The National Marrow Donor Program can let you know where you can do this.
• Check to see how long the bank will be able to keep the cord blood. Some facilities dispose of it after a certain number of years.

Resources

• Check out Viacord's cord blood bank options and fees.
• The National Marrow Donor's website

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