Cord blood banking--post some interesting things you have learned in your research

Last night I started to read more online about cord blood banking. I am very disappointed that there are some things that the sales reps at the companies never told me. I want to verify some of those things and I want to find out what some of you may have learned that you want to share. So, anything that you feel that people should know but might not learn by talking to the companies, post it here (or if you have questions that are not answered on their websites, someone else may know). Remember, there may be some confusion about what is true and what isn't, but we can each try to verify what is posted here. I am not looking for people to bash the whole idea of cord blood banking, though!

Okay, I will go first (again, I can.t guarantee that these things are true).

1. Last night I read that there may not be enough cells saved to be used for transplantation into an adult. I am very annoyed, as I asked a rep specifically about using the stem cells if a parent should need it.

2. A c-section often results in less cells that are able to be preserved.

3. There is one company, Lifebank, that also preserves placenta blood. How useful is this? Why aren't the other companies doing this?

Re: Cord blood banking--post some interesting things you have learned in your research

I just had a long conversation with my Dr. about this, because I am debating doing this.

She said the main problem, is often times you cannot use the babies own cells to help them, it is good for a sibling though. She said it's hard to say what the future would bring. If she knew for sure that this can be used to help treat diabetes(this is undergoing testing now) that she would 100% recommend it. For everyting else, she said if you have the $$ that maybe it's a nice insurance plan, but do NOT feel like a bad parent for not purchasing it.

Bottom line...just not enough known about it yet and no one knows what the future will bring.

Re: Cord blood banking--post some interesting things you have learned in your research

Re: Cord blood banking--post some interesting things you have learned in your research

Our pediatrician recommended that we ask the companies about their plans should they go belly up- what happens to your cord blood? Is it discarded, or sent to another facility? He said he asked a rep, and was told, "that (going out of business) will never happen." Which may be true, but I think they should have a plan because things do happen.

Re: Cord blood banking--post some interesting things you have learned in your research

When I delivered at winthrop we were under a lot of pressure to bank it privately. However, now my North Shore Ob encourages us to donate it. We are defiantely donating it.

Re: Cord blood banking--post some interesting things you have learned in your research

I am banking privately - because you don't know what the future holds and in 10 years there may be huge benefits to having baby's own cb available.

ViaCord is the only co. that is in R&D a well as storage

ViaCord is the only FDA-approved private co. to collect cord blood from a c-section.

Re: Cord blood banking--post some interesting things you have learned in your research

Re: Cord blood banking--post some interesting things you have learned in your research

i am banking with Viacord! They seem like they have the best things. Plus they hold the same rate for 25yrs. I also like the fact that if i do end up having a c-section they are the only ones that get the most cord blood from it. i feel very happy with my decision

Re: Cord blood banking--post some interesting things you have learned in your research

Re: Cord blood banking--post some interesting things you have learned in your research

Re: Cord blood banking--post some interesting things you have learned in your research

I had a c-section and my doctor was able to get 67 cc's of cord blood - amounts to over 1 billion cells - way above what is generally needed.

A c-section can still get you enough cells.

Re: Cord blood banking--post some interesting things you have learned in your research

Re: Cord blood banking--post some interesting things you have learned in your research

Re: Cord blood banking--post some interesting things you have learned in your research

Re: Cord blood banking--post some interesting things you have learned in your research

Posted by lulugrrl

Posted by ssdbk

Posted by lulugrrl

I just had a long conversation with my Dr. about this, because I am debating doing this.

She said the main problem, is often times you cannot use the babies own cells to help them, it is good for a sibling though. She said it's hard to say what the future would bring. If she knew for sure that this can be used to help treat diabetes(this is undergoing testing now) that she would 100% recommend it. For everyting else, she said if you have the $$ that maybe it's a nice insurance plan, but do NOT feel like a bad parent for not purchasing it.

Bottom line...just not enough known about it yet and no one knows what the future will bring.

You go to 3 Village, right? I spoke to Dr. Kaelber about this for at least 1/2 hour. Thing is, my DH and his brother have juvenile diabetes. So, right there, we have a reason. However, we will probably only have one child, so no sibling that may benefit.

I do go there..and had conversation with Dr. Kaelber also..HEHE So my info. is the ame info. you already got.

Message edited 7/5/2007 1:47:25 PM.

Re: Cord blood banking--post some interesting things you have learned in your research

I am leaning towards Maze. It started as a sperm banking company and has moved onto cord blood banking.

They do not have insane marketing programs nor do they call you incessantly. There are here in NY (Purchase) and their rates are more reasonable than everyone else because of it.

I never asked about the c-section, nor in my reading did I find anything out of the ordinary. They are also regulated by the state.

I feel very comfortable with them.