top of page

To Bank or Not to Bank: The Cord Blood Question

  • Mar 29
  • 3 min read

When you're pregnant, you get hit with a million decisions. It's basically a nine month masterclass in decision fatigue.


You're choosing a provider, a birth plan, a car seat and then someone asks if you're planning to bank your baby's cord blood.


And you're like "I'm sorry, what now?" Suddenly you’re expected to have an opinion on something you didn’t even know existed a few months ago. Let's break it down.


What is cord blood?

After baby is born, there is blood remaining in the umbilical cord and placenta. That blood contains hematopoietic stem cells, which can develop into other types of blood cells.


These cells are already used in medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including leukemia and lymphoma, certain genetic disorders, and immune system diseases. This is super cool science and medicine. That doesn't automatically mean you need to pay to store it.


What are the options?

You have three main paths when it comes to cord blood.


You could donate your baby's cord blood to a public bank, where it can be used by anyone who is a match.


You can pay to store your baby's cord blood wih a private bank for your family's future use.


You can do nothing at all and the cord blood is simply discarded after birth.


Pros of Cord Blood Banking

The sales pitch is compelling, let's be honest. You're told this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that might save your child's life someday.


Cord blood stem cells can save lives; they are already used in transplants for serious diseases. Cord blood does not need to match as precisely as bone marrow, which makes it more accessible to patients. Recipients are less likely to reject cord blood stem cells compared to bone marrow, and collection is simple and safe; it is painless, quick, and does not interfere with birth.


In addition, public donation helps others. Public banks are heavily used and regulated, and donated units are far more likely to actually be used.


Cons

Private banking is a serious expense. Initial costs can run $1500 to $2500 and then there are annual storage fees. During a time when you are already buying a crib, a stroller, approximately 700 tiny outfits, and wondering if you need a wipe warmer (you don't), that's not nothing.


More important than money, there is a low likelihood for personal use. Like, really low. The chance your child will need their own stored cord blood is slim AND it often can't be used for your own child anyway. If the issue is genetic, those same genetic markers exist in the stored cord blood. And for some childhood cancers, doctors often prefer donor cells rather than the child’s own. Plus cord blood contains a relatively small number of stem cells, which can be insufficient for adults without combining units. The whole “save it for your baby just in case” narrative is more limited than it sounds. I know that pregnancy makes you want to bubble wrap your future child from every possible what if, but this is one of those moments where predatory marketing really shows up hard.


The idea of "biological insurance" is not strongly supported by evidence. Major organizations like AAP and ACOG do not recommend routine private banking.


Delayed cord clamping is an increasingly common practice for newborn benefits and may reduce the amount of cord blood available for collection.


Recommendations

The AAP and ACOG both support public donation and do not recommend routine private banking unless there's a known medical need in the family.


If you have a child or close family member with leukemia, sickle cell disease, or certain medical or immune disorders, storing cord blood for directed donation can be medically useful and private banking might be worth considering.


TL/DR:

Do you want someone to just tell you what to do? I've got you. This is one of those decisions where there is really no wrong answer; you are neither failing your child if you opt out nor overdoing it if you opt in.


  • If you like the idea of helping others and it’s available to you, public donation is a fantastic option.

  • If you have a known medical reason in your family, private banking may absolutely be worth considering.

  • If neither of those apply, choosing not to bank cord blood is completely reasonable and supported by current medical guidance.


Want More Info?


 
 
 

Comments

Rockland County: Nanuet, Nyack, West Nyack, New City, Suffern, Bardonia

Westchester County: White Plains, Scarsdale, Mamaroneck, Tarrytown, Elmsford, Ry,e, Larchmont

  • Facebook
  • ig

Hartsdale, Pleasantville, Chappaqua, Ardsley

Bergen County: Paramus, Rdgewood, Englewood, Fair Lawn, Ra,sey, Edgewater, Hillsdale

bottom of page