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New baby prep is a whirlwind! Excitement, a few nerves, and so many to-dos. Creating your registry is fun, but it can also feel like a lot. You're thinking bottles, diapers, wipes — all the must-haves. But what if you could add a gift that could help protect your child's health? We’re talking about cord blood banking.
Let's break down what it is and if it deserves a spot on your baby registry.
What exactly is cord blood banking?
Cord blood banking is a process where blood from a newborn's umbilical cord is collected and stored for potential future medical use. This blood is a rich source of stem cells — the body's master builders. Stem cells can develop into different types of tissue and cells in the body, making them incredibly valuable for treating a variety of diseases and conditions.
If you’re thinking, "That sounds great, but is it really necessary?" That's the million-dollar question (or, more accurately, the several-thousand-dollar question).
Is cord blood banking worth it?
First and foremost, cord blood banking is all about possibilities. While we all hope our children will never face serious health challenges, having those stem cells on hand could be a game-changer if the need ever arises.
Things to consider
Your baby is a perfect match. Their cord blood is a perfect match for them, eliminating the risk of rejection. This is crucial for conditions that might be able to be treated by baby’s own stem cells. Plus, full siblings have a 75% chance of being at least a partial match, and biological parents are always a partial match.
Think of the future potential. Medical research is evolving. Hundreds of clinical trials have been initiated using stem cells from cord blood and cord tissue as a potential future treatment for conditions like cerebral palsy, heart defects, and Alzheimer's disease.
The process is relatively easy. Collecting cord blood is painless for both mom and baby. It happens after birth, once the umbilical cord is cut. The list of benefits may continue to grow as researchers explore new ways to use these powerful cells.
Cord blood banking isn’t cheap. Private cord blood banking is a significant expense, with upfront fees and annual storage costs.
There’s a low chance that you’ll actually use it. While cord blood has proven valuable in treating many conditions, the probability of your child actually needing their own cord blood is relatively low (this is a good thing).
You have a choice between public and private banking. You can donate cord blood to a public bank for free, where it could help someone in need. However, you won't have guaranteed access to it if your family needs it.
How it works
If you're picturing the collection process as some complicated, invasive procedure, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Collecting cord blood is actually pretty straightforward and completely painless for both mom and baby.
Here's how it typically goes: After your baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut, a healthcare provider collects the blood that remains in the cord and placenta. This takes just a few minutes, so don’t worry — the process doesn't interfere with those precious first moments with your newborn. The collected blood is then sent off to a cord blood bank for processing and storage.
Should you add it to your registry?
Here's where it gets interesting. Some cord blood banks, like CBR (Cord Blood Registry), allow you to add cord blood banking to your baby registry. Instead of another adorable outfit (which, let's be honest, they'll grow out of in a week), loved ones can give a gift that could be potentially life changing.
What to consider
Cord blood banking involves costs, like an initial fee for collection and processing, plus annual storage fees. It's definitely something to factor into your budget if you decide to put it on your registry. The good news? Adding it to your gift registry can help offset these costs.
It's also important to remember that while cord blood has the potential to treat many conditions, the odds of your child needing their own banked cord blood are relatively low. Medical research involving stem cells from various sources continues to progress. And the hope is that newborn stem cells could someday be used to help improve organ and tissue damaged by age, disease or trauma.
Public vs. private cord blood banking
Another option to consider is public cord blood banking. Unlike private banking, where the cord blood is stored for your family's use only, public banks accept donations that can be used by anyone who needs them. This option is usually free and allows your baby's cord blood to help others in need.
The downside of public banking is that you are not guaranteed access to your child's cord blood if you need it later. It's a bit like donating blood — a wonderful thing to do, but not a personal safeguard.
It’s a personal choice
At the end of the day, preparing for a new baby is all about doing what feels right for your family. Like other important decisions, you should consider your family's medical history, financial situation, and personal values. And it's always a good idea to discuss the option with your healthcare provider and partner to weigh the pros and cons.
Cord blood banking might not be as fun to unwrap as a cute baby outfit, but it could be one of the most valuable gifts your child ever receives.
So, as you're putting together that baby registry, it might be worth considering adding cord blood banking to the list. After all, the best gifts are often the ones that keep on giving long after the baby shower confetti has settled.
Use promo code SCRP at cordblood.com to receive 50% off CBR’s annual bundle when you enroll, which includes processing, shipping, and your first year of storage.
Blair Sharp is a freelance writer who lives in Minnesota with her husband and son. Her words have been published in various publications, including Parents, SheKnows, The Bump, and Insider. Find her writing daily on LinkedIn and check out her weekly newsletter, Hey Freelancer! Head to her website www.blairsharp.com for more.