Complete Parent's Guide to Cord Blood Banking

Everything you need to know, from the biology of cord blood to what happens the day of delivery — in plain English.

What Is Cord Blood?

Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born and the cord is cut. This blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells — the same type found in bone marrow — which can develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

These stem cells have been used in more than 40,000 transplants worldwide to treat over 80 diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell disease, and certain immune disorders.

Private vs. Public Banking

Private banking means your baby's cord blood is stored exclusively for your family's use. You pay an enrollment fee and annual storage fee.

Public donation means the cord blood is donated to a public registry and may be used by any patient who needs a transplant. It's free. The trade-off: you can't access that specific sample if your child later needs it, though your child has access to the entire public registry.

How Collection Works

Collection happens immediately after birth, before or after the placenta is delivered. The process takes 3–5 minutes and doesn't interfere with the birth. Your selected bank sends a collection kit in advance. The medical team collects the blood, and the kit is shipped overnight to the bank's processing lab.

The Delayed Cord Clamping Question

The AAP and ACOG now recommend delayed cord clamping (30–60 seconds for term infants). However, delayed clamping reduces the amount of blood available for collection. You can still collect with delayed clamping — you'll just get a smaller sample.

What Diseases Are Treatable?

Currently approved uses include certain leukemias, lymphomas, myeloma, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, aplastic anemia, and specific metabolic and immune disorders. Research is ongoing for cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder — these are not currently approved treatments.

Key Questions to Ask Any Bank

Are you AABB accredited? (Non-negotiable)
Where is the sample processed and stored?
What is your minimum acceptable cell count?
What happens to my sample if your company closes?
Is there a fee when I need to release the sample?