cord blood donation

[BlueChampagne]

Came across this in the blood donors' magazine, and definitely think it's worth considering. This is my first go at a link so fingers crossed: www.nhscordblood.co.uk

In case it doesn't work, www.nhscordblood.co.uk

[Longtalljosie]

I'm signed up for this - I'm a journalist and did a story on it a little while ago and was really impressed by the strength of the arguments in its favour. Fortunately I'm in an area that collects cord blood. At the time I did the story it was collected in London (Northwick Park), Luton, Watford and Barnet. A shame it's not more widespread...

[Tangle]

If I had to have a fully managed 3rd stage then I'd be more than happy to donate the cord blood to ths NHS cord blood bank and I agree its a shame that the option to do this isn't more widespread.

My 1st choice, however, would be to have expectant management - where the cord isn't clamped until after it has stopped pulsing (a few minutes) as a minimum or after the placenta has been delivered. By allowing the cord to stop pulsating before clamping the blood in the cord and placenta winds up in the baby where it can be immediately useful. Each to their own, though

[Nixies]

I really wanted to do this too, but my hospital isn't one of the chosen ones

[BlueChampagne]

Don't think mine is either but will try signing up online to register interest.

[ilovecrispsandwiches]

me too it is amazing what good cord blood can do. it is a pity it's such a small choice of donation spots. what a waste of such helpful material. i am due in feb though so with a bit of luck it will be a wider donation area by then

[Longtalljosie]

Well, do sign up on the website anyway - lots of interest may encourage them to expand it

[BeckynSteve]

i think donation is an amazing thing, but my hospital doesn't do donation. i'm looking into private storage. anyone consider that option?

[AngelaCarleen]

I've been looking for information on this since last week. I received my Anthony Nolan newsletter (I'm on the bone marrow donor list, although obviously can't donate at the mo.) and it said something in there about it. All I can see is that I have to live in London to donate (live in northern scotland).

I've got an appointment with the consultant next week so I'll ask him about it, and maybe get in touch with the Scottish Blood Transfusion Service to ask them aswell.

I'll be really disappointed if I can't donate it, I don't want to pay to save it only for my baby's use.

You'd think that something that can apparently save so many lives would be easier to donate?

[squeaver]

If you are thinking about doing it privately Virgin's service stores it for private and public use.

You may also find the hospital unwilling to do the collection for you.

[kaybee75]

HI, I did private cord blood collection with company called Calls4Life with 1st baby and all worked out fine. My husband (not medical) collected the blood straight after the birth then called the courier number we;d been given and they came & picked it up - no fuss at all. The midwives in the hospital hadn't ever heard of it before. Now baby no 2 due in 2 weeks and is a real headache to do it as law has changed and a qualified person with medical training has to be pre-registered to collect the blood. As I have no idea who will be delivering the baby and therefore cannot ask them to pre-register so have had to use a Phlebotomist service (where they have someone on call who comes to the hospital while you're in labour and does it for you). Has been a real faff to get that sorted out (and expensive). I have only persevered because I think it is so worthwhile and because did it for my first child, can't really not for the 2nd (he/she is already getting a much smaller bedroom and I feel bad enough about that!!!)I would have been very happy to donate some toa public bank but couldn't find a way - although I think the Virgin service puts some of what you donate into a public bank as you don't need to store much. Storing cord blood seems like such a good idea but unless you're married to a doctor / nurse or you know someone who'd be on 24 hour standby for you its really difficult to organise (we live up North so prob harder than in London).

[eleeeesse]

We're hoping to store stem cells with the cells for life people although have to get a private phlebotomist which does add to the cost. I would have liked to donate to the public collection but my hospital doesn't do it yet. I don't think its specific to the baby either. The guy who told me about it had offered some of his children's to the sick child of another family.

[BeckynSteve]

ok, so I did some research and i got brochures from some private companies and had some phone chats with them too. i'm gonna go with smart cells because they;ve been around the longest and they're the only company who have sent stem cells for transplant. i want to know that the company i choose can actually use the cells! also when i spoke to them they explained that in order to use the stem cells for family members, the blood has to be processed before its stored. cells 4 life dont process the cord blood - they freeze it as is which ive been told means it cant be used for family members.
speaking to the different companies left me confused, but smartcells seemed to be the only one who could answe my questions with confidence.
having said that, i haven't paid anything to them yet, so i still may change my mind again - my pregnant brain hurts!!