How to choose a cord blood bank?
How to choose a cord blood bank?
Choosing a cord blood bank that will give you a good service is very important. You are looking for a relationship that is going to last for more than two decades and hence it will have to be the best. So, how do you go about selecting a cord blood bank that will give you the kind of service you are looking for?
Start the search early
If you want to save the cord blood in a reliable cord blood bank, then you should start your search for a suitable bank very early in the pregnancy term. Most cord blood banks (both public and private banks) want you to register with them during the 34th week of pregnancy for a variety of reasons. So it is important that you complete your search for a suitable cord blood bank before that time and choose the one you want to associate with for a long time.
The cord blood bank you choose need NOT be in your locality
The cord blood bank you select need not necessarily be one that is in your neighborhood. It can be a facility located in a different state altogether. It is more important to ensure that it is the one you want to do business with. Ultimately what you need is safety and security for the precious cord blood that you are saving up for the future use of your child.
Check whether the cord blood bank selected has a tie up with your hospital
Several cord blood banks have tie up with hospitals. If the cord blood bank you have selected has a tie up with your hospital, the process of cord blood collection will be easier, as the hospital will work with the cord blood bank for the collection of the umbilical cord blood and placenta. However, even if it does not have a tie up, you can still inform the cord blood bank about the hospital in which you suppose to have the delivery, and they will connect up with the hospital and ensure smooth collection of the cord blood and placenta on your behalf.
Check whether the cord blood bank you selected is registered
The law mandates that all private cord blood banks register with the FDA from 2007 onwards. So enquire whether the cord blood bank is so registered.
Check whether the cord blood stored in the bank has been used for successful transplant
It is also important to find out whether the cord blood banks have ever used the cord blood stored by them for a successful transplant. If not, it is indicative of the fact that the collection and storage facilities offered by the bank are not up to the mark or it is a newly instituted cord blood bank.
Check whether the cord blood bank is financially stable
You could also find out if the cord blood bank is financially stable. A financially stable bank will be around for a long time and it will have the means to provide state of art collection and storage facilities.
Check whether the cord blood bank will provide you with all the essential services you need and any extra services
Private cord blood banks provide a number of services to its customers for a charge. You should list out all the possible cord blood banks and review the different services offered by them.
Check whether the cord blood bank you have selected has payment plans that can be advantageous and discounts for early registration, prepayment etc.
Many cord blood banks offer payment plans that may be monthly, annual, bi-annual or even long term. Some of them will offer you hefty discounts for early registration, prepayment or storage of the umbilical cord blood of more than one child. If you are a Doctor or a medical practitioner of any kind you can get additional discount. You should check out the different plans offered and select the one that suits you best.