Things You'll Need:
- pregnancy
- give birth
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Step 1
You will need to make the decision to save your child's cord blood during your pregnancy. In making this decision, you should consider costs as well as benefits of preserving your child's cord blood. It should be done at least during the 7th month of pregnancy to be able to register with a cord blood company and simply to have time to prepare for the unexpected.
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Step 2
Research public and private companies who store cord blood. Consider reputation since you would want to be assured that blood is preserved for years to come. Asking ob-gyn for their opinion is a good idea as well as performing research on your own.
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Step 3
Consider price and other benefits of each organization. For example, some company's may have initial cost to join or some may simply need payment when child is born. Many may have monthly costs available if you can't pay upfront for initial storage costs as well as payment on child's birthday every year.
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Step 4
After choosing a company, they will send you information and it is important that you fill out all of the enrollment forms and submit information back to the company. They will send you a kit that you will need to take to the hospital with you as well as a phone number to call the courier for pick up.
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Step 5
Once at the hospital, be sure to let the nurses as well as your ob-gyn know that you are saving the child's cord blood. It is vital that it is done after birth since that is the only time you will be able to do so. They will take your blood which will be submitted with the cord blood. Have your significant other call the courier and they will come by your room to pick it up.
