cord blood / stem cells

[Viola82]

are you considering stem cells collection during the birth? I'm not sure if as popular in the UK as in other counties. My midwife didn't mention this option at all.

I looked into it and as far as I can tell you can only donate your cord to the NHS if you are giving birth at one of six hospitals in London, which is a shame. There is very little benefit that I could find from saving it for your own child's use.

You can also donate in Manchester and Leicester to Anthony Nolan: www.anthonynolan.org/8-ways-you-could-save-life/donate-your-umbilical-cord-blood

It’s a shame it isn’t available more widely, though. I know you can do it privately to save for your own child but it’s expensive so I haven’t really looked into it.

Thank you ladies, I was thinking about private banking and the whole process/costs around it..

Hi Viola. If you haven't found it, there's some useful information on the Human Tissue Authority website.

I can't find the information I was looking for, which I read previously, but essentially if your child is born with a genetic condition then their own cord blood cannot be used to cure it. However there are conditions that it may be useful for.