Health & Pregnancy

Tools & Resources

Font Size

Umbilical Cord Blood Banking - Topic Overview

Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells, immature cells that can grow into many other types of cells. Stem cells are now used to treat a limited number of conditions, such as a sibling's leukemia. They may someday be grown and used to treat many chronic diseases. This could mean that your baby's cord blood may someday provide a cure for a genetically related family member. The cord blood is drawn from the umbilical cord and placenta after the cord has been clamped and cut and, for a fee, frozen and preserved. This process doesn't affect your or your baby's care.

Early in your pregnancy, consider whether you want to bank your baby's umbilical cord blood for possible future use. Sometime during your pregnancy, you may get information about cord blood banking from at least one commercial business that provides this service. You can also ask your health professional whether he or she has any recommendations about cord blood banking. Umbilical stem cells are collected only if you request the procedure well in advance of your delivery date. It is not a routine procedure, and health plans usually do not cover the cost.

Recommended Related to Pregnancy

Fertility 101

By Christie AschwandenSuddenly, women in their 20s are flocking to fertility centers, hoping to increase their odds of one day getting pregnant. Here's what they - and you - need to know. When it comes to fertility, 25 is the new 35. Women once waited until their biological clocks had almost popped a spring before bringing out the big guns, but smart young women today aren't leaving anything to chance. Just consider that the number of women 24 years old and younger who reported trouble conceiving...

Read the Fertility 101 article > >

If you are interested in donating your baby's cord blood for research purposes, contact a stem cell registry early in your pregnancy so that you can provide all the necessary medical information and sign a consent form.

Before your labor and delivery, tell your health professional that you plan to have umbilical cord blood collected. Also make sure that the medical staff attending your childbirth know in advance of the delivery.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: January 07, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.