It is only natural for parents to want the best for their children. Providing the world and more, parents will often prepare for months before the child is born, safeguarding the house and preparing it to be a safe environment. While future harms cannot always be foreseen, many parents will try their best to get every form of insurance out there when it comes to their child.

Having only recently come into the public’s attention, cord blood may be the way for parents to provide another layer of protection for their child. Events like cord blood awareness month in July, as well as, countless success stories have gotten parents into thinking that storing cord blood is a necessity. The trouble is that there are multiple cord banking reviews that provide both positive and negative feedback. With that in mind, let’s take a moment to review what cord blood is, what cord blood banking is, what the process is like, and what people have thought about the process as a whole after the fact.

So What Is Cord Blood?

Cord blood has become popular in the last few years thanks to a finding that showed that cord blood is rich in stem cells. A stem cell is a cell that is yet to form into any given role. As a result, stem cells can be used for a whole host of services, providing tissue where tissue is needed. The cord blood is naturally produced during pregnancy and it is located in the umbilical cord. Helping to provide nourishment for the child, the cord blood is generally disposed of as waste during the birth. However, with the potential uses for cord blood increasing, more and more people are looking to save it.

Before getting into cord blood banking reviews, let’s take a moment to look at the controversy surrounding cord blood. Being a relatively new discovery, it is easy to assume that cord blood is the ultimate insurance incase something goes wrong with your child. Seen as a wonder cure, cord blood only helps with certain conditions that may come up in your child. For example, if your child develops osteopetrosis, then the cord blood will not be helpful as it comes from the same stem cells that led to the disorder in the first place. That being said, the cord blood could still been used to treat over 70 different diseases, including things like lymphoma, sickle-cell disease, sickle-cell disorders and even leukemia. If you are interested in learning more about cord blood, then you should contact your doctor as they can give you more information regarding what options are available to you.

What Is Cord Blood Banking?

Cord blood banking is the process of taking cord blood from the umbilical cord and storing it. The blood is acquired immediately after birth and is low risk. Given it’s unique properties, people have begun storing it as a form of insurance. The idea is that if their child gets sick, the cord blood may be able to help. In any instance where blood with high levels of stem cells are required, then cord blood an be helpful. In all other instances, cord blood is not useful.

Cord blood banking is also known as stem cell banking because of quality of the blood. The stem cells in the blood can provide assistance to any person who has the same blood type. As a result, many people store this blood for either use with their child, or use with a close family member or friend. The process is straightforward and once shipped to the storage site, there is little else you have to do.

Public cord blood storage exists to provide the service of removing cord blood and donating it for free. With organizations dedicated to this around the United States, it is easy to find a program that will hook you up with the right equipment as well as provide screenings. Typically, this has to be done before the 35th week mark. There is also private cord banking. Private cord banking is an option if you want to store the genetic material yourself. You typically get in touch with one of many organizations that provide the service and request a kit. If you are interested in learning more about private cord banking, then consider talking to your doctor. He or she may have a reference they trust in this regard and they can provide you with the information you need to make a better choice.

What Is The Process Like For Banking Cord Blood?

When considering cord banking basics, it is good to start from the beginning. The labor and birth will go on as normal. The umbilical cord will be cut and clamped. This is where the process changes. Using a needle attached to a bag and purchased directly from the cord blood service, the tip of the needle is inserted into the umbilical cord and gravity drains the cord blood into the bag. As the bag provided is a closed system, there will be minimal risk in regards to either bacteria or fungus getting in. Samples of the cord tissue may also be stored for long-term use. As always, this process should be properly discussed before the day of the birth so that everyone knows what they are doing and what has to be done.

The process is minimal risk and is no more invasive than the birth. As the cord blood is usually disposed of along with other medical waste, storing it is not seen as taking something away from the body. Rather, it is making use of something that would have been thrown away.

One consideration that cannot be overlooked is the cost of this process. A growing number of insurance providers are covering some or all of the cost. That being said, cord blood banking is still relatively new and as a result, not that many insurance companies even consider covering it. If you are expecting to pay out of pocket, then you will have to cover an initially high fee, as well as yearly storage costs. The first-year fee, acquiring, equipment, processing, and storage all cost on average between $1,400 and $2,300. In addition to this fee, every year you will have to pay an additional $115 to $150 in yearly costs. Since not everyone can provide this money up front, there are usually financing options available for those looking to pay on a payment plan. No interest and interest payments may be options.

Cord Blood Banking Reviews

The vast majority of individuals who end up banking their cord blood do not have a problem with the process. The procedure of removing the cord blood is nothing compared to the pregnancy itself and many people do not report it being a problem. Temporary storage and shipment are also not a problem that people report as many work out the conditions long before the due date. While cord blood banking requires having the baby in a hospital, many people are fine with this as they plan to have their baby there anyway.

One of the biggest concerns families have is with the price of storage as well as the initial purchase price for equipment. In addition, because of all of the uncertainty regarding whether or not cord blood banking is necessary, may cord blood banking reviews end up with individuals talking themselves out of the process.

Your Course Of Action

Making a decision that can cost upwards of $2,000 should not be done in a hastr. If you are interested in this process, then the first thing you should do is contact your doctor and schedule a meeting to discuss this topic. Let the office know ahead of time so that the doctor can be prepared and ask as many questions as possible when the day comes. If your doctor is not knowledgeable about cord blood, then see if you can find someone within the medical community who is. While the internet will have a lot of personal experiences and testimonials, figuring out whether storing cord blood is right for you should be done between you and your doctor. By keeping your doctor in the loop, he or she can provide the required assistance you need to make an informed choice.

If your doctor would like you to store cord blood but does not have a recommended company to go with, then you will have to research the company you will want. As the company provides the supplies and is responsible for the processing and storage, figuring out the company to use is the perfect task for the internet, as you can read about people experiences with the company.

While there is a great deal to consider when it comes to your child, there are things that should not be taken for granted. The support that you are providing for your child, even at this moment by reading this review, is incredible. When it comes to figuring out cord blood, take it one task, at a time.