Cord blood banking or cord blood storage refers to saving your baby’s precious umbilical cord blood which could potentially help him or her if ever it is needed in the future. For expectant parents who are interested in banking the cord blood, it is important to learn the differences between private cord blood storage and public cord blood donation. To help you make a more educated selection, here are the benefits as well as the disadvantages of both public and private cord blood storage:
Private Cord Blood Banking Advantages
- Your baby’s umbilical cord blood is strictly reserved for your family only.
- The success rate of transplants with cord blood from a relative or sibling is twice for a child, compared to the one from a non-relative.
- When the cord blood is stored privately, it is easier for you to retrieve the sample. It carries your baby’s identity and you can access it anytime when needed in the future.
Private Cord Blood Banking Disadvantages
- Cord blood treatment might not be effective if your baby is diagnosed with a genetic disease. In such cases, only a non-relative’s cord blood is suitable.
- With the benefits of cord blood banking, you get a huge price tag; which some parents can’t afford easily. Some insurance providers might not help you with the fee unless you intend to use the cord blood to recover from genetic diseases (varies from insurance to insurance).
WATCH VIDEO: WHY SAVE THE CORD BLOOD
Public Cord Blood Donation Advantages
- Donating your baby’s cord blood is absolutely free.
- The cord blood is available for anyone who is in dire need of it at no cost.
- Some doctors don’t charge anything for harvesting cord blood if it is intended for public banks.
- Research can be easily carried on samples from such banks.
Public Cord Blood Donation Disadvantages
- Finding a suitable match for your baby at public banks can be very challenging.
- Public banks have strict timings and might not be open 24/7 if anyone requires cord blood or are donating it.
- Parents no longer have the right over their baby’s cord blood and one can’t say much if the same baby will get his hands on his own cord blood in the future or not.
- While cord blood without any distinctiveness or identified ethnicity may not be a problem for some, it may get really hard for minorities to find a suitable match for themselves.
It’s recommended for parents who are having a hard time choosing between these two types of cord blood banking to carefully evaluate every possibility first.
Professional counseling is recommended from someone who is well aware with your family medical history and can guide you accordingly. You may take as much time as you wish but many cord blood banks require you to register around 34th week of the pregnancy so do keep that in mind.
Want to speak to a private cord blood banking specialist to learn more?
Call us on +971 4 3116613 or send us an email.
Recommended Articles:
The Beginner’s Guide to Private Cord Blood Banking
The Importance of Choosing the Right Cord Blood Bank
8 Questions to Ask Your Cord Blood Banking Specialist
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