Cord Blood Banking During Pregnancy: Understanding Your Options
Pregnancy brings countless decisions for expectant parents, from choosing a healthcare provider to preparing the nursery. Among these important choices is whether to bank your baby's cord blood. This once-discarded umbilical cord and placenta contains valuable stem cells that can potentially treat numerous medical conditions. Understanding cord blood banking—the collection, processing, and storage of these cells—can help parents make an informed decision about this biological resource that's only available at birth.
What Is Umbilical Cord Blood?
Umbilical cord blood is the blood that remains in the placenta and umbilical cord after childbirth. This blood contains hematopoietic stem cells, which are immature cells capable of developing into different types of blood cells. Unlike embryonic stem cells, cord blood stem cells don’t raise ethical concerns as they’re collected after birth from tissue that would otherwise be discarded. The umbilical cord blood collection process is painless for both mother and baby, taking place after the cord has been cut and while the healthcare provider is waiting for the placenta to deliver.
Cord Blood Uses in Medical Treatments
Cord blood stem cells have been used in treating approximately 80 diseases, primarily blood-related disorders. These include certain cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia and Fanconi anemia, and immune system disorders including severe combined immunodeficiency. The first successful cord blood transplant occurred in 1988 to treat Fanconi anemia, and since then, thousands of transplants have been performed worldwide. Research continues to explore potential applications for cord blood in treating conditions like cerebral palsy, autism, and diabetes, though many of these uses remain experimental.
Cord Blood Benefits for Families
One of the primary cord blood benefits is biological compatibility. When banked privately, cord blood provides a perfect match for the child and potentially a partial match for siblings and parents. This compatibility reduces the risk of transplant rejection and graft-versus-host disease. Additionally, cord blood cells are less mature than other sources of stem cells, meaning they don’t need to be as perfectly matched to recipients. Cord blood is also immediately available when needed, eliminating the potentially lengthy search process for bone marrow donors. For families with known genetic diseases, banking cord blood may provide a valuable treatment resource.
Private vs. Public Cord Blood Storage Options
Parents have two main options for cord blood storage: private and public banking. Private cord blood banks store the blood exclusively for your family’s use. This option typically involves an initial collection fee of $1,500-$2,500 and annual storage fees of $100-$300. The blood remains your property and is available only to your family if needed. Public cord blood banks, conversely, accept donated cord blood for anyone who might need it. This option is typically free for parents, but the blood becomes available to any matching recipient and may not be available for your family later.
The Process of Cord Blood Collection and Banking
The cord blood collection process begins with pre-registration with your chosen bank during pregnancy, ideally before 34 weeks. Your healthcare provider will need to be informed of your decision. After delivery and cord clamping, a healthcare professional extracts blood from the umbilical cord using a specialized needle and collection bag. This collected blood is then transported to the cord blood bank, where it undergoes processing to separate and preserve the stem cells. The cells are mixed with a cryoprotectant and slowly cooled before being stored in liquid nitrogen at temperatures below -196°C, where they can remain viable for decades.
Cost Considerations and Banking Options for Cord Blood
Private cord blood banking requires significant financial investment. Collection and first-year storage typically costs between $1,500-$2,500, with annual storage fees ranging from $100-$300. Many banks offer payment plans or discounts for prepaying multiple years. Some facilities also offer sibling discounts for families banking multiple children’s cord blood.
| Cord Blood Bank | Initial Collection & Processing | Annual Storage Fee | Multi-Year Storage Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cord Blood Registry | $1,900-$2,350 | $175-$185 | 21-year plan: $4,275 |
| ViaCord | $1,900 | $175 | 20-year plan: $3,920 |
| Cryo-Cell | $1,675 | $175 | 20-year plan: $3,499 |
| FamilyCord | $1,650 | $150 | 20-year plan: $3,000 |
| New England Cord Blood Bank | $1,925 | $125 | 20-year plan: $2,930 |
Prices, rates, or cost estimates mentioned in this article are based on the latest available information but may change over time. Independent research is advised before making financial decisions.
Factors to Consider When Deciding on Cord Blood Banking
The decision to bank cord blood is personal and depends on several factors. Consider your family medical history—if your family has a history of diseases treatable with stem cells, private banking may be more valuable. Financial capability is another important consideration, as private banking requires substantial investment. The statistical likelihood of using the banked blood is relatively low—approximately 1 in 2,700 according to some estimates—though this varies based on family medical history. Some parents choose a middle path by banking cord blood for their first child and then deciding whether to continue for subsequent children based on family needs and financial considerations.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance and treatment.