All About Cord Blood Banking - with Toronto specific information
Cord Blood Banking is a prenatal topic of discussion, that comes up frequently with the families we work with. Like with most everything pregnancy, birth and baby, there is so much information to navigate, which makes it hard to make an informed and appropriate decision for your family. We’ll break it down here to help you out.
Please note that while a lot of this information is relevant to any country that provides cord blood banking, this article also contains TORONTO specific information. We will be referring to Canadian based companies that support cord blood banking and hospitals in Toronto and GTA. This is not intended as medical advice. Please discuss any medical concerns with your doctor.
What is cord blood?
The umbilical cord, and its partner the placenta, are powerhouses - you can read more about the powerful placenta here. They provide your baby with all their in utero needs. Cord blood is the blood that is within the umbilical cord.
Once your baby is born, and the cord is cut, the placenta and the cord are no longer necessary for your baby. Some people make art with, bury and/or eat their placenta, others discard it (or the hospital discards it for them). Some choose to bank some of the blood in the cord, as well as some of the tissue, before these things happen.
What is cord blood banking?
Essentially, cord blood banking is exactly what it sounds like - saving blood from the umbilical cord for potential future use. There are both private and public companies that store the blood (and sometimes tissue) - more on that below.
Why would I choose cord blood banking?
Interestingly, cord blood is rich in stem cells. These cells are the precursor to white and red blood cells, which are vital to our health. These special cells are also found in the bone marrow of all humans.
The stem cells from cord blood can be used to treat blood disorders, some forms of cancer and some genetic disorders. Using cord blood in these situations is preferable to a bone marrow transplant, because unlike with bone marrow, with cord blood you do not need to have a perfect genetic match.
According to Insception Cord Blood Banking (a Canadian based company, used frequently in Toronto), cord blood stem cells can be used to treat over 80 life threatening diseases and conditions.
A lot of research is currently underway about how to further use cord blood and cord blood banking. This includes research into how cord blood and cord tissue may be able to help with conditions such as, autism, cerebral palsy, Type-1 diabetes and strokes.
The odds of using cord blood in the future vary, so investing in cord blood and cord tissue banking can feel like investing in the unknown. Current, the odds of using your baby’s cord blood sit at 1 in 400 to as low as 1 in 200, 000. The truth is we can’t see into the future but some people feel - particularly those that have a family history of any conditions cord blood can help, that the reassurance is worth it.
It is interesting to note that if you choose to bank your baby’s cord blood and/or cord tissue, it can be used for their siblings or family members, if the need arises.
How much does cord blood banking cost?
The cost of banking cord blood depends on whether you’re planning to go with a private company or a public donation bank (this one, of course, does not have a cost!).
Private companies offer plans, which vary based on whether people choose to bank just cord blood or cord blood AND cord tissue.
Rates also vary based on the length of time you’re paying for - the company Insception, for example, has an annual rate, an 18 year rate or 30 year rate. Cells for Life has a monthly or annual rate. Health Cord has an annual, 20 year, 30 year, 50 year and Lifetime rate. Progenics has an annual, 10 year and 20 year rate.
Canadian Blood Services collects cord blood and tissue for the public bank. If you choose not to bank your baby’s cord blood privately, you might consider this option - it truly will be used to help another family facing a devastating scenario. You can learn more about the Canadian public bank, Victoria Angel, here.
What is the process for collecting cord blood?
Essentially, you will choose the company that meets your needs best, during your pregnancy. After moving through the registration process with them, they’ll give you a kit, that you’ll need to bring with you to the hospital or the Birth Centre, or have nearby at your home, if you’re choosing a home birth.
After your baby is born, you will decide with your care team, how long to delay the clamping of the cord. Once the cord is cut, your doctor will collect blood from the cord and take some tissue, if you’re choosing to store tissue. This will be stored in the kit the company has given you. You will then call the company and someone will collect the kit from you, within 24 hours. It can stay at room temperature and remain stable for 72 hours.
If I use a private company, is there one I need to use if I’m at Mt. Sinai/Sunnybrook/Michael Garron/St Joe’s/St Mike’s hospital?
Some hospitals, like Mt Sinai in Toronto, articulate their preference for a particular cord blood banking company. However, you can choose any company that you feel best meets your needs.
Are there risks involved?
There are no major risks with cord blood banking, for you or your baby. The main consideration that people mull over is that cord blood and delayed cord clamping, longer than one minute, cannot both happen.
Note - one minute of delayed cord clamping is the norm in Toronto hospitals. This allows for your baby to receive more blood from the placenta, which ultimately helps with their iron stores. Some people choose to wait longer than a minute, up until when the cord has stopped pulsing.
There is some reassuring input from some cord blood companies on combining cord blood banking and delayed cord clamping. Most companies suggest that to obtain an optimal amount of blood to bank, below one minute of delayed cord clamping is ideal. However, clamping at one minute can also allow for enough blood to be collected - they just do not recommend anything over one minute.
How can my doula help?
Your doula can help support you in many ways! During pregnancy, your doula can help you navigate your decision making process and explore the research further. During birth, your doula can help locate your cord blood banking kit, remind you to express your wishes to your care team. After your baby is born, your doula can even call the company for you, should you need or wish, to let them know that they’ll need to come collect your kit.
The decision to bank cord blood is a big one and many factors need to be considered. If you’re looking for more input, get in touch. We’re more than happy to help you navigate the information.
To write this post we drew on information from Baby 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Baby’s First Year by Dr. Ari Brown and Denise Fields and the evidence based non-profit Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood Foundation.
We offer a wide range of support services for families, including:
Please get in touch to learn more about any of our support services.
