[rastachris]

We are nearing the delivery date of our third child and we're seriously considering harvesting the cord blood when she's born. This baby will have two bio siblings whom the stem cells could potentially help, as well as her birth mother. I'm just curious how many of you have done the cord blood thing.

Thanks,

[srusse24]

We did not bank the cord blood, but I think it is a great thing to do if you can.

There are so many benefits, especially in an adoptive situation. If you all lose contact with the bfamily, and you need the stem cells to help your child, the cord blood would be a wonderful thing to have.

I know it is somewhat expensive. I think I read it was somewhere around $1000 for the initial banking and then around $300 a year to continue the banking. I know that does not seem like much when it could potentially save your child's life.

Anyways, good luck with whatever you choose!

[Kymom2b]

I am very much in favor of harvesting and banking cord blood. In our first match that failed, PBM, Dh and I had agreed on the procedure. Our daughter came to us through an emergency placement and was 12 hrs. old when she was placed in our arms, so we didn't have the opportunity with her.

Even thought the initial cost is fairly high, it is so worth it. Good luck with your decision.

[kune]

Tina
I may be stating the obvious here, but this decision isn't your's to make. I suggest you speak to the birthmother and ask her if she would want the cord blood harvested.

Ann

[snaps]

We did not bank our DD's cord blood, but I had really wanted to. I felt it was an awkward situation. In our case it could have helped a bio sibling as well. Bmom and bdad did not have the money to bank the cord blood, however, us paying for and banking the blood seemed sort of presumptive so we chose not to do it. I have regreted it ever since, but still do not know the appropriate way to go about it. I would probably discuss with the bmom. Most cord blood facilities have a yearly rate or a long term rate. In this case if bmom agrees I would probably pay the yearly rate in case of failed adoption (not to be negative) and then you are only out a smaller amount of money. If bfamily does keep baby it is their responsibility to continue to pay for banking.

Good luck!

[ajrl]

with our failed match we were going to bank the cord blood. I had talked about it with our pbmom and she had even thought it was a good idea... I know you wouldnt do it w/o her permission, there isnt a way to get the blood if you dont ask for it in advance. The kits are mailed to you to and then you give it to the nurses or do it yourself and then you call a courier to come get it and deliver it or mail it a special way so that you dont ruin the blood.

One thing that no one has talked about is private vs public agencies. A public agency is going to be way less expensive but you have to realize that they are holding the cord blood for you or whomever matches the blood FIRST. Also, you have to look at their survival rates and if they are a corporation and what their contigency plans are if there are power outages or if the company goes under. I would hate to pay them a monthly fee or annual fee to get a discount and then they go out of business and you do not have access to get the cord blood from them.

Good luck

AJ

[mlbsands]

You may want to look into this a bit more as when we looked into it we were actually told that is is not really "worth" it to do a persoanl cord blood bank.. as many times - things that would be cured with cord blood, may already be in it.. and with the cost (and I think they only survive for some long) that a better option is to donate the cord blood to an "open" bank.. that way it can help anyone who is a match and does not cost you the extra money.

Just a thought.

Mandy