Cord blood is found in a baby’s umbilical cord and the mother’s placenta, and after birth, it’s usually discarded when the umbilical cord is cut. Many people aren’t familiar with the benefits of cord blood, but it can actually be crucial for saving lives. If you decide to store your baby’s cord blood, it could potentially help treat nearly 80 serious diseases in the future for your family. This can be especially important for individuals with unique blood disorders who might require blood transplantation, and cord blood could be the answer.
If you’re considering storing cord blood, be prepared for some costs. Having an obstetrician collect your baby’s cord blood is a painless procedure but might be expensive. Public cord blood banks do offer free services, but they essentially treat your stored blood as a donation, so there’s no guarantee it’ll be available if you need it later. These banks operate with public and private funding and can’t reserve your specific cord blood. Private banking, however, ensures storage for over 20 years, but this comes with a price tag.
The process of cord blood banking involves collecting the blood from your baby’s umbilical cord after birth using a sterile needle and storing it in a cord blood bank. It’s a pain-free process that both the child and mother won’t feel. Medical professionals can later extract and freeze the stem cells for future use. While this concept should be more accessible to everyone due to its potential lifesaving benefits, current costs can be prohibitive for many.
As for the cost, the initial collection of cord blood can range from $1,350 to $2,300. After paying this initial fee, there’s an ongoing storage fee of $100 to $175 per year. Some private banks offer discounts—up to 20% off the initial cost or occasionally as much as 65%, depending on specific circumstances. Unfortunately, health insurance typically doesn’t cover the cost of storing cord blood. Insurance generally focuses on covering hospital expenses and treatments, not the preservation of cord blood itself. Therefore, it’s a smart idea to explore available discounts and find the best deals in the market.
Note: The information here is to enhance your understanding and should not substitute professional medical advice. Always consult with your doctor for medical guidance tailored to your personal needs.
