Choosing a Private Cord Blood Bank
Once you have made the decision to invest in your family's
future by banking your baby's umbilical cord blood, begin the
search for the right cord blood bank. There are numerous cord
blood banks all over the country that serve as storage
facilities for this crucial item, so make your decision
carefully. Many parents find this search daunting, simply due to
the sheer number of facilities available.
To avoid picking a cord blood bank that may not meet your wants
and needs, the informative Web site Should You Bank Cord
Blood recommends that you consider the following factors
when making your decision.
Price: This is a main concern to most parents, since it is not
cheap to bank cord blood. However, many cord blood banks have
specials depending on the need of the child or the family, so be
sure to do your homework before you decide. Most cord blood
banks offer dramatically reduced rates--or even free storage--if
your new baby or another child is thought to need a transplant
immediately. Otherwise, the best way to determine price is to
contact private cord blood banks to determine if their rates are
within your budget. Keep in mind that cord blood storage acts as
an insurance policy for your family, so consider any other
factors before immediately determining not to store your child's
cord blood simply because of price. Some company's, such as
Viacord, regularly offer coupons both online and at doctors'
offices, and many cord blood banks can provide payment plans as
well.
Location: There are private cord blood banks all over the
country, so you are sure to find one near your home.
Furthermore, many hospitals work in cooperation with private
cord blood banks, especially those that specialize in birthing
babies, so ask your doctor, nurse, or midwife about this option.
Once you have identified a private cord blood bank in your area,
make an appointment to visit and discuss your options with the
bank's professional staff. These trained and knowledgeable
individuals will be able to answer any and all questions
regarding cord blood storage and the fees and tasks associated
with the storage. Furthermore, the facility will identify a
method for collecting the cord blood, as private cord blood
banks often work in cooperation with a hospital on this issue.
Reputability: In many instances, this search will provide you
with numerous options, but how can you ensure the facility is
reputable and working in your best interest? The answer rests in
the hands of the American Association of Blood Banks, the AABB.
This association regularly inspects blood banks all over the
country, providing an accredited status much like that provided
in the college and university system. Before you decide on a
specific cord blood bank, contact the AABB to determine if the
private blood bank is accredited or if it has any complaints
lodged against the facility by other patrons. Think of the AABB
as the final word that you can trust in whether or not the cord
blood bank in your location is reputable and worthy of your
child's precious cord blood.
After you have considered these three main aspects regarding the
storage of your child's cord blood, the final decision should be
less imposing than attacking the decision blindly. Be sure to
keep an open mind during your search to find a facility that
works well with your situation. The internet is a perfect
research tool, as a quick and simple web search will provide you
with countless options for private cord blood banks all over the
country--and all over the world. Before you decide against this
option, make the time to speak with a professional at one of
these banks in order to make the most informed decision about
the medical promises that cord blood can offer to your baby or
another child in your family. Finally, if you decide against
banking your baby's cord blood, consider donating the blood to a
public cord blood bank for research purposes and public use.