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What is a cord blood bank?
There are two types of cord blood banks: private and public. Xytex is a private or “family” cord blood bank, which means that you and your family have exclusive access to your baby’s cord blood in the event of a future medical need. While your baby’s own (autologous) stem cells would be a perfect match should the donor child ever need them, there is also a higher chance of a good match within the family because HLA antigens (Human Leukocyte Antigens) are inherited genetically. HLA antigens must match between patient and donor for transplants. This is one of the biggest pros for private, family cord blood banking – the better than one-in-four chance for a sibling stem cell transplant match.
When they are publicly donated, cord blood stem cells will be made available to anyone with a medical need who could benefit from a stem cell transplant. Once a child’s cord blood has been donated to a public bank, families may not be able to retrieve the donated sample should they require it for a future need.
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What happens with umbilical cord blood that is not stored publicly or privately?
Unfortunately, cord blood that is not collected after birth is usually discarded, thereby losing the only opportunity to save and store valuable cord blood stem cells.
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Why should I collect and store my baby’s cord blood?
While saving cord blood is a personal decision that is different for every family, more and more parents are choosing to bank their baby's cord blood not only for current proven applications but for the hope it holds in the future for a growing list of medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. Parents want the comfort and security of knowing that, if the need ever arises, their baby's cord blood stem cells are readily available. Banking a baby’s cord blood is particularly important if a family has a history of cancer or genetic disease, or another child with cancer or genetic disease. Cord blood storage may also offer the best opportunity for a perfect match to a child with only one genetically related parent (via surrogacy or reproductive tissue donation, i.e., sperm or egg donor) or if a parent is adopted.
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What is the very latest week of my pregnancy that I can decide to bank?
Ideally, you should finalize your plans concerning cord blood storage by the beginning of your third trimester. But even if you decide to make a last-minute decision, we will work with you to facilitate the shipment of your cord blood collection kit in time for your baby’s delivery. You will also want to discuss your plans with your physician or midwife as soon as you make your decision.
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Will the hospital where I deliver charge extra if I choose to bank my baby’s cord blood?
Some physicians will collect cord blood as a free service for their patients, while others charge a fee. Make sure to discuss this ahead of time with your physician so you are fully aware of any possible charges.
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I’m having twins, so should I bank the cord blood of both babies?
Even though the chances are very good that one sibling’s cord blood would be an acceptable match for the other, it is still advantageous to bank each child’s umbilical cord blood. Because we believe strongly in taking advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Xytex offers special pricing for multiple births. Please discuss this option with your client service representative when you call us.
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