Is it Wise to Bank your Baby's Cord Blood?

1. 62

   heohongthamposted 14 years ago

   What is your opinions?

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2. 61

   TMMasonposted 14 years ago

   Yes, it is very wise in this day and age to bank your baby's cord blood.

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3. 66

   Mishaposted 14 years ago

   We did not do this for our kids. The remote possibility of ever needing it coupled with uncertainty in predicting its availability if need arises make associated expenses unjustified IMO.

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4. 62

   AboveBeyondposted 14 years ago

   We looked into this and to be totally honest we could not justify it. Granted there may come a time when your child needs it but the odds of that happeneing and either you or the baby's father not being a compatible match are slim.
   
   As a society and parents we want to protect our children from everything. However, protecting them and anticipating the worst are two different things. Weight the pros and cons and make an informed decision for yourself and your family. Good luck!

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5. 60

   swapna123posted 14 years ago

   Heard that it is quite wise thing to do, but somehow,i wasn't convinced with the reasons why I should do it. It's a phobia that we have of our uncertain futures that makes us do lot of things which may or maynot be useful to us in long term. It is okay if you don't mind the cost involved, however I didn't go for it.

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6. 59

   Simple Timposted 14 years ago

   It is not necessary. This is why you have donor banks in case you need them. I am familiar with this since my sister was diagnosed with lukemia and had a bone marrow trasplant a few years ago...surprisingly enough none of our family members were a postive match and her donor came from an external source in the donor bank! You can donate it to help some else in need now rather than wait for future tragedies which may never happen at all.

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7. 59

   HEATHERH91posted 14 years ago

   Donor banks would be great if everyone donated. It is free to donate your cord blood for anyone to use. If more people donated the easier it would be to find a match.
   
   However I did choose to have my youngest sons cord blood stored. The initial cost wasn't cheap but the yearly storage fee is only $125.00. The cord blood is a 100% match for my son and for my other children they have a 50% chance that it will match. We have genetic diseases in our family that can be treated with cord blood and others that they are working on. To give my kids the chance of having any of these treated when they are adults in a relief to me. And as science is progressing who knows what else it will help with later on. It seemed to be worth the cost to me.

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8. 71

   EmmaMeduposted 14 years ago

   In my country, but I think the same case is elsewhere, there are private and public banks. Private banks are so expensive, and to keep those cord blood for 20 or more years, you will have to pay the huge amount of money.
   Public banks don't guarantee you that the blood will be used for your own child in case you need it. If it is a match for someone else who needs it, you won't be able to use it any more.
   
   So, if you don't have any serious illnesses in your family, such as cancer, diabetes or some kind of autoimmune disease there is a very little chance you will ever need it.
   
   The other reason why I didn't do it is that they have to cut the cord before it stops pulsing. In that case the child will not go through a natural switch from oxygen got from the cord to the oxygen got from the air. Nothing bad will happen, but as I wanted a completely natural birth, this wasn't an option for me.

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9. 83

   habeeposted 14 years ago

   I think it's smart, but isn't it very expensive??

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   1. 73

      sofsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Very wise thing to do , the benefits will outweigh the cost especially if you have certain diseases like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's running in the family. I have read quiet a bit about this and i am sure it is well worth it!

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10. 69

    jasonyccposted 14 years ago

    Definitely yes. Done so for my first child. You never realise how useful it will be until you need it. And at that point if you don't have it, it's too late. I think the cost is getting cheaper as more and more companies are offering this service.

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11. 63

    Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

    If I were having my babies today and were able to do it (financially) I would.  We pay for all kinds of insurance and even things like road service.  I'd see this as a worthwhile investment.

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