RE: Cord Blood Stem Cell Preservation
The hospital where I delivered was actually participating in a research study that harvests and banks cord blood. By consenting to be part of the study, the cord blood was banked at no cost to us. The only downside is that if someone else is a match for our baby's cord blood and needs it, then the cord blood would no longer be available for us. Otherwise, if for some reason in the future we should need this cord blood, it is available to us for no charge. The study is run out of New York, but we delivered in Virignia. You may want to ask if there are any similar research projects going on in your facility. To do this, both I and the baby had to have a (additional) blood test in the hospital as well as answering a mildly lengthy and somewhat personal (sexual activity questions, etc.) survey.
HTH,
Beth, mom to older DD (8/01) and younger DD (10/06) and always missing Leah (4/22 - 5/1/05)