There was some information on how to donate Cord Blood in this month's issue of Parents. I figured that most FTMs don't subscribe yet. So I thought I'd pass it along.
There's currently only a handful of states that will let you donate. And then only a few hospitals per state that participate. But I thought maybe some of you were delivering at some of these hospitals.
You can check if your hospital does at:
It also says you need to let your Dr. know by the 34th week of pregnancy. My state (CT) doesn't donate. But I didn't want some others to miss out on it. Esp. since 34 weeks is fast approaching for those who aren't there yet.
Re: Info. on donating Cord Blood.
We're planning to donate. I've been a blood donor since I was old enough to do it, and DH became a blood and platelet donor when he started dating me, so it only made sense to us that we would donate cord blood.
At childbirth class yesterday we learned that you can wait for the cord to stop pulsing and still be able to have cord blood drawn to donate. It's a pretty small amount that they actually take, and there is enough residual in the cord to get what they need even after it is done pulsing.
Also, I'm not sure if it's commonly known, but that single vial is enough for about three uses - your LO will be a 100% match and you and DH will both be 50% matches. If someone else somewhere out there needs the blood before any of you might, there is still a very high likelihood that your cord blood will be available for you if you decide to donate instead of using a private storage bank. My OB office refers to it as public cord blood banking as opposed to private cord blood banking.
I didn't realize a decision had to be made by 34 weeks, though. Maybe that varies by state as well? I think they told us yesterday that someone from the blood center will come to your room (while you're in labor?!) to ask you about donating.
It's been on my list to research this, thanks for posting!
I live in CT too. My hospital/OB uses Cryobanks International www.Cryo-Intl.com you register quickly online, print out some forms, mail them in and they mail you a collection kit and the hospital takes care of it. After the cord blood is collected Cryobanks is called and they send a courier to pick it up. The only glitch is they cannot use cord blood collected between 3pm Friday and 3pm Sunday.
You have to enroll between 28 and 34 weeks.
I live in NY and what I've been told by the NY blood center/my doctor/hospital is that when I get admitted, to just tell them I want to donate and "the blood center people" take care of it. OB said it was actually easier than the private banking.
Just need to remember in the moment......
Where are you delivering? I am going to be at Mt Sinai
why that you for coming and c&p that excerpt from another site after it's too late for us to even be making that decision.
what a strange thread to revive.