Cord blood is normally discarded after a baby is born. This blood is found inside the umbilical cord that connected mother and baby during pregnancy. Preserving the blood has many potential benefits for the family or for a recipient if the blood is donated. Banking or preserving the cord blood is similar to providing insurance for the baby should she need stem cells found in the blood due to a health condition, such as leukemia. The decision to preserve cord blood must be made before the birth, in conjunction with the delivery hospital.
Step 1
Decide whether to preserve the blood for potential family needs or to donate the blood to a bank for distribution to those in need.
Step 2
Contact the overseeing health care professional's office or the delivery facility and ask for recommendations for a cord blood bank or storage company. Some health care facilities have a contract with specific cord blood banking companies, but that doesn't mean the consumer can't opt to go elsewhere. Look for banks accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks.
Step 3
Ask the health care facility what the requirements are for the collection of the cord blood, such as paperwork, registration and payment. Some of these items may be due ahead of time or at the time of delivery.
Step 4
Use the bank's website to learn more about the cost, process of collection and to register, if applicable. When donating the cord blood, the fees for storing may be waived by the bank selected. The hospital charges are typically still the responsibility of the family but the family can ask the hospital to donate their services because the blood is going to be donated.
Step 5
Contact the family health insurance carrier to determine if any part of the cord blood collection and transport can be covered.
Step 6
Complete the hospital and blood bank paperwork for the collection and registration for storage well in advance of the expected due date. Determine whether the chosen blood bank has collection kits at the hospital or if one must be obtained in another manner, such as via the mail. Some hospitals have universal kits on-site but others request that the mother bring the collection kit with her to delivery. Once all the arrangements are made, the hospital, doctor and cord blood bank will take care of the collection and transport of the cord blood.
