From Robin Elise Weiss, LCCE,
Your Guide to Pregnancy & Childbirth.
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A.

Cord blood banking is getting a lot of press. There are many companies out there trying to educate the public about the purported benefits of cord blood. The truth is that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers, "Private cord blood banking should be encouraged when there is knowledge of a full sibling in the family with a medical condition (malignant or genetic) that could potentially benefit from cord blood transplantation."

Though the AAP is very supportive of the public banking of cord blood. This would mean that you would donate the cord blood from the placenta at the time of birth and it would go to a public bank that anyone could use.

When trying to decide if personal cord blood banking is for you, be sure to talk to your obstetrical care team and pediatric team for advice on your personal situation.