7 moms share why they chose cord blood banking

When you’re considering your birth plan, one question that can come up is whether or not to bank your newborn’s cord blood. Umbilical cord blood contains valuable stem cells that can treat various diseases, and it’s safe and painless to collect after delivery. 

Different factors – like cost, family medical history, and where you plan to give birth – can impact how you choose to bank or if you store the cord blood at all. This decision may feel personal, but hearing from other BabyCenter moms on their reasons for public or private banking can offer insight as you do your own research. 

Why moms decided to privately bank cord blood 

Families can pay to bank their baby’s cord blood for personal family use. Since it can be used for the baby as well as any other family member who is a match, families often choose private banking if there is a family history of certain medical conditions such as leukemia, lymphomas, sickle cell anemia, immune deficiency diseases, or neurodegenerative disorders. 

It’s an insurance policy 

“We did private banking. It’s expensive, but we had the funds so we did both blood and cord tissue. The thought of childhood cancer terrifies me and if cord blood/tissue could be a game changer if we end up in that awful position, I would never forgive myself for passing it up when it was an option. I hope I never need it, but I guess I’d liken it to insurance – have it yet hope you don’t need to use it.” – CSat14

“I have both my children’s cord blood stored. If you have the means to do so, I highly recommend it. Stem cells can be extracted from the blood and used to strengthen the immune system if, God forbid, your child is diagnosed with cancer one day. They can also be used to help treat lymphoma and leukemia. Leukemia can be treated with bone marrow transplants, but collecting bone marrow is an extremely arduous process. It is way easier to treat through the cord blood. An important thing to note that many people don’t know is that the cord blood doesn’t necessarily have to be used by the child it came from. If the child’s sibling or parent needs the stem cells, they can be used by them too. It’s definitely an investment and hopefully you never have to use it, but once you decide not to collect the blood, you can’t go back so I always say, ‘Better safe than sorry!'” – Emmalovely2

“I chose to save my firstborn’s cord blood in 2010 … I think it’s important to take as many precautions as possible for your kids if you have the means. You never know what is going to happen.” – OregonMomma87

It could offer great benefits in the future 

“I banked it because the representatives of the firm that banks it told me they could probably store it for a very long time, and I thought maybe [my daughter] could benefit from future technology to live a better life as a senior in the very long future … I do hope she’ll live a long and very good life, of course. I wanted to bank it just in case, wishing for healthy prospects.” – MomEllie59

“I really wanted to bank cord blood with my first 14 years ago, but couldn’t afford it at the time. They’ve made so many advances, I was keen to do it this time around. Plus, my husband’s family has some health issues that run in the family. I thought it would be even more important this time around.” – Jessilealii

Why moms decide to donate cord blood

Donated cord blood is stored in a public bank for anyone to access if it’s needed. The donor registry currently contains nearly 268,000 cord blood units, according to the Health Resources & Services AdministrationOpens a new window.

“I donated because I felt like it would be better to be used to help someone as opposed to being thrown away. We did not [privately] bank because it’s both expensive, and we do not have family medical history of the things they told me cord blood would be used for.” – CooCooKaCoo

“I donated cord blood. I could not even consider the cost of private banking but the donation was free and could help someone in need or help further research. I hope donating becomes the norm instead of something only some hospitals participate in.” – smclements

Donating, privately banking, or forgoing cord blood banking is a personal decision, and there’s no right answer. Either way, your care team will look out for the health of you, your baby, and your family.