Cord Blood Banking? - your opinions on it

Jackie012007 wrote: Hey guys and gals... I've gotten a lot of literature on Cord Blood Banking from my OBGYN and there are little leaflets in every baby magazine I get. What do you guys think about this? My OB said that it's only really necessary if you have history of health problems like leukemia and some other stuff that she told me that I have since forgot... what do you guys think of Cord Blood Banking? It is really expensive but is it worth it? Anyone banked their cord blood? Just looking for some opinions on the subject!

PrairieMom replied: I never really gave it any thought.

My3LilMonkeys replied: I never really considered it since it is so expensive - we couldn't afford it regardless of how beneficial it could have been.

Bee_Kay replied: My youngest is now 13 and cord blood banking wasn't really around back then... so I dont really have an opinion either way I guess and I don't know much about it.

Jackie012007 replied: yeah it is like $1500-2000 for the storage and then you pay a fee yearly... DF's grandmother offered to pay for it (she's loaded) but we don't want her to waste that much money if it is going to be a wasted investment... currently both out families have very healthy babies and people except for cancer, but I was wondering if anyone had paid and benefitted from it in some way... my OB didn't seem to concerned about it so I think we will probably pass on it... was just curious what other people thought about it!

luvmykids replied: I could be wrong but I think I heard that the chances of needing it (and it being the solution to the problem) are VERY rare and not worth the money. I think unless there was a strong indication of something happening that cord blood is already being used to treat I would pass.

Nina J replied: I didn't do it because of the money, but I think if you can, it's a good idea.

It's better to have something and not need it, than to need it, but not have it. So, if you can do it, go for it, because theres always a chance you'll need it. It could save your childs life. I think it's a good investment, if you can afford it.

C&K*s Mommie replied:

While I have no personal experience with it, so I cannot tell you first hand; I would have to agree with Monica. In the big picture, it does not seem equalized. I passed on it, in the end with my girls.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: I would be more likely to look into donating my future cord blood. Paying to bank it on the remote chance my child might need it seems useless. I would rather it go to a bank to be used for people who really need it now. When I interned in Denver they had a cord blood bank for donated cord bloods. Makes much more sense to me. But to each his own.

jcc64 replied: We had a thread on this awhile back. I saw a "Nightline" about it, and the conclusion I drew was that the chances of being able to use it are extremely small, small enough to make it a waste of money. If your child should wind up with a disorder of some sort, there is the chance that the disease will also be present in the cord blood. Your chances are much better with a sibling being the donor.
If you want to save it, donate it to a bank which can be drawn on by already sick children. Otherwise, I think it's mainly a business created to draw upon the fears of parents.

MyLuvBugs replied: I wanted to donate this baby's cord blood this time around, but unfortunately Nebraska doesn't "allow" that. At least that's what my midwife said. Actually, her exact words were "they (state gov) is too busy fighting over stem cell research to even look at other medical options...." They only thing they do offer is for you to bank your own, but that costs a ton of money. Where as donation would be free if offered.

I think it's a good idea, if it's actually used to help people. JMO.

Jackie012007 replied: well thanks for all the responses! I think I'll look into donating, I live in NY and they're pretty Liberal so hopefully they will take it

jcc64 replied: I live in NY too. Where do you live?

Jackie012007 replied: upstate, in Utica... where are you???

holley79 replied: DH and I talked about it and talked it over with some Drs. There was no way we had 1500 to 2000 to spend on it. We have thought about saving up to do it if we had another little one but we are still on the fence post about it. If she wants to spend that kind of money have it placed in a savings account for your new little one.

Jackie012007 replied: part II of predicament... if we decide not to bank the blood, she will take the 2grand and open a savings account for the baby for college... and I know how friggen expensive college is, am just now getting my loan payments in teh mail ... college, or cord blood?????

Celestrina replied: college. there is only a slim chance that she will need the cord blood, but she will need that money for college.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: College, absolutely!!!!!