Anyone considering stem cell collection at birth?

[NoviceKnitter]

Just wondered if anyone was planning to get their newborn's stem cells stored. Due any day now and wondered if I should have looked into this more... once in a life time etc... Anyone have any thoughts?

I looked into it but the MWs would not collect them

i think i might next time. there is through Virgin a system where you can keep some and donate some - helping more people iyswim? it costs about £1500 and only some hospitals in the country do it-not all. some hospitals are even against doing it and you may have to hire a private midwife to do the procedure.

a story about it

the site for Virgin

Thanks Scorpio - really useful. And thanks Blonde - will check with hosp what their policy is and go from there.

I know that Barnet Hospital do this as a matter of course for mothers/couples who want it.
Its part of the Barnet/Chase Farm Health Auth.
and its free.. but I think you probably have to give birth there

My hospital does it but I'm sure it's for donation not to keep for personal future use. We were just going to do it as a matter of course. I can't give blood though so not sure if there will be similar restrictions.

My hosp (Luton and Dunstable) collects the cord blood if you give them permission. Its a donation (like giving blood) so its not stored for you, but for anyone who needs it. Exactly like giving blood. I don't think many hospitals do it though. The way I see it, I can't afford to store it myself, so if it can go and help someone with leukemia etc then I'm happy- it would only be disposed of otherwise.
PPS (35+3) XX