I don't know what to do about cord blood banking...

DH thinks we should donate it... I think I am leaning this way as well, but I am afraid that if I don't bank it and g-d forbid one of my kids gets sick, I will regret...

The american academy of pediatrics recommends donations - they say the private baking companies basically prey on the vulnerability of pregnant women. They say the chances a child will need it are very, very low - and if they do get sick, then there are things they can't even use the cells for - like leukemia. You wouldn't use a the stem cells from a child who has leukemia because those cells would be predisposed to just develop it again.
Then I think - well the research is based on what we know now not what we will know in the future. Then I think - but - the research on stem cells is evolving, and they are native cells, so if I got them from a public bank in the future, my child would still benefit - and wouldn't I be doing a good deed by putting them in a public bank where someone might really be able to use them rather than private banking where the chances they will be used are very small?
Also, they say that the # of cells that are obtained from the cord aren't enough for an adult to use - and we don't know how long the cells can be stored and still be viable.


Oh, what to do?

Sorry this was so long.



ETA: even though I know there is no cost on my children's health, money is a huge factor here. We can't afford to do it at all, it would have to go on a credit card.

Message edited 11/25/2008 4:15:52 PM.

Re: I don't know what to do about cord blood banking...

I was contemplating this as well BUT what if by some small chance your baby could benefit from having his cord blood banked?! To me its kinda like having a life insurance policy- you have it but hope you never need to use it!

I personally would never be able to forgive myself if something ever happend to my baby where they could've used it and i didn't do it! Money is def tight for us but we'll make it work!

Good Luck

Re: I don't know what to do about cord blood banking...

my OB did tell us that if you donate and GOD FORBID the time comes that you need it....if yours is still there - you would get it back!

if that helps at all...

we're completely torn on this as well..

Re: I don't know what to do about cord blood banking...

its def. a personal decision. We personally are not doing it. We did get a little pressure from one of our OBs, but we are choosing not to for cost reasons & reality.

Re: I don't know what to do about cord blood banking...

Our OB actually doesn't believe in it, and as an FYI, my own OB told me that htey make a certain amount of $$$ from each time someone uses one of the cord blood banks, so thats why you may be pressured by some of your OB's....

Re: I don't know what to do about cord blood banking...

dh and i dont know what to do either

Re: I don't know what to do about cord blood banking...

Message edited 11/25/2008 4:45:50 PM.

Re: I don't know what to do about cord blood banking...

we are torn too
i do think of it as insurance; but it is just another expense right now - UGH

if we do the payment plan, you pay SO much in interest it is absurd

Re: I don't know what to do about cord blood banking...

we were all set up to do it...i got the kit brought it home and everything last week, filled out all the paperwork...then i go to the OB today and was SOOOO aggravated...

receptionist: Hi Jaime, did you decide on the cord blood banking yet, you dont have much time? (by the way they ask me EVERY WEEK, so im positive there is a kickback somewhere)

Me: Hi, um, yea i got the kit and everything is ready to go, i told the dr last time i was here, its already in my bag ;)

Receptionist: Ok, then thatll be $300.00 today, is that going to be cash or charge?

Me: huh? For what?

Receptionist: There is a collection fee (as in a fee for actually GETTING the sample) for the dr, he needs to get paid for his services as well you know

Me: ummm, no one EVER told me that and since this was such a financial burden to begin with at a time like this, that kind of changes everything..im surprised with the way you guys overbill the insurance for everything else thats done relative to patient care, you couldnt just do the same with this lol

Receptionist: So will you be paying that now or the next visit?

Me: um, well, obviously i wont be paying it now..so ill just let you know...

i left and call my dh and i wont even GET INTO the conversation we had lol he is sooooo angry...are they kidding me? Is everyone elses dr charging them to get a sample too?

Message edited 11/25/2008 4:58:18 PM.

Re: I don't know what to do about cord blood banking...

I am so glad you posted this! I almost thought about posting the other day. I feel just as confused as you are! If I had a lot of extra money around, I would probably do it without hesitation, but...I don't know. Then again, as someone else mentioned, God forbid you could use it wouldn't it be worth any amount of money? I hate making decisions like this.

I would love to hear more responses about how others feel and what others think. One of my best friends banked her baby's cord blood and she did a lot of research on it. She feels so strongly about it that I can't help but feel guilty. Thankfully, she doesn't make me feel that way though...it's all my own!

If we don't bank it, I definitely want to donate it. I am so on the fence about this, and we have to decide soon. I think my DH will do whatever I decide...

Re: I don't know what to do about cord blood banking...

Re: I don't know what to do about cord blood banking...

I was very skeptical myself but have decided to do it. A big reason is because my SIL is pregnant w/ twins right now and research shows that could always be a match for his first cousins. I decided to get the payment plan, instead of taking the money out of my savings. I also think I fall into the "what if" and "regrets" category as well.

Re: I don't know what to do about cord blood banking...