Pros & Cons of Cord Blood Banking?

I'm in the process of learning about cord blood banking & I've heard a lot of mixed things about it.

I am interested in it because several years ago, my mother was diagnosed with a type of blood cancer and she needed a stem cell transplant. Thank God she has been doing well since then but I worry about the potential of my child having cancer later on in life.....

What are your thoughts on cord blood banking? Are you choosing to do it?

Re: Pros & Cons of Cord Blood Banking?

We are going to donate ours. Our hospital is part of the donation program. Since we don't have the same immediate family concerns you do, we decided it would be best to donate so that others who may happen to match our baby can benefit.

Can you maybe talk to your mom's specialists about what they suggest? Or does she have a social worker you can speak to? It seems like they may be the best people to speak to since they have experience with what your mom has been through and the benefits to banking.

Re: Pros & Cons of Cord Blood Banking?

i am planning on asking my OBGYN her thoughts at my next visit. It's really expensive, and not sure you can use it in many circumstances. I've read that public donations sometimes are more helpful, or is you have a sibling that needs the cord blood/stem cells. Sometimes, you can't use the cord blood on the baby that it came from because of the genetic makeup (depending on what you would be using it for) and that's why public donation would work better in certain circumstances. it's so confusing.

your mom's specialist, as well as your OB would be the people to talk to. Honestly, a social worker is not going to be of any help (i am married to one, and he has no clue about this kind of stuff lol)

Re: Pros & Cons of Cord Blood Banking?

We are doing it this time because DH's company reimburses us for it. So it would be silly not to.

I did not with DD. The expense was too big at the time and chances are if you need stem cells, you could get it from the public bank.

Re: Pros & Cons of Cord Blood Banking?

The major con is the cost which is why we didn't do it. Though if I had a personal experience like yours I think I would've tried to make it work.

We opted to donate to the hospital. Unfortunately there wasn't enough of a supply available to donate.

Re: Pros & Cons of Cord Blood Banking?

Re: Pros & Cons of Cord Blood Banking?

After a lot of research we aren't doing it. I really wanted to donate it to a public bank but my hospital doesn't participate.

Re: Pros & Cons of Cord Blood Banking?

We didn't - I did a ton of research and was leaning toward the 'no' side of the fence. -

My cousin is an OBGYN and didn't do it for her kids, for the same reasons MY OBGYN said he wouldn't do it (obvklusly he couldn't tell me what I should/shouldn't do - he just told me what HE would do)

They both said it's crazy expensive and the research surrounding out, in their opinions, wasn't worth the expense.
They can't guarantee how long it will be 'good' for, what it can/can't be used for, and if these companies are going to be around when you may need them -

Re: Pros & Cons of Cord Blood Banking?

we are pretty sure that we are doing it- my mom is a pediatric nurse and my best friend is a nicu nurse- they have both seen instances where it saved the baby's life or a siblings life- although, they said the same thing as everyone else on the thread, it wont help everything

but I also feel that the medical community is just starting to learn how to use it- the advances that they will make over our kids life will be miraculous and I think its worth a shot- if we never use it, thats fabulous- if we need it, it will be there