Cord Blood Banking

We offer cord blood collection services during your delivery. When your baby is born, there is blood in the placenta and umbilical cord called cord blood. This blood can be collected after birth and stored for future use. Cord blood is unique because it contains stem cells and may be used to help treat disease.

There are different types of cord blood banking, public and private, and other associated fees. There are also different opinions on whether to collect cord blood. If you are interested in banking your baby’s cord blood, it is important to do your research and make arrangements at least 6 weeks in advance of your due date.

Sometimes not enough cord blood can be collected. For example, if the baby is preterm, if cord clamping is delayed as recommended, or if there is an emergency at the time of delivery, we may not be able to collect enough.

There are many options to consider when deciding about cord blood banking. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) suggests the following:

• Donating to a public bank may increase the availability of cord blood for underrepresented populations.
• If a previous child has a medical condition that a cord blood transplant may help, cord blood from a biological sibling may be helpful.
• Storing a child’s stem cells in a private bank as ‘insurance’ against future disease is not recommended.
• Consider the total cost, including collection, processing, and annual storage fees.

Visit the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to learn more about the benefits of cord blood banking.