Donating your Cord Blood | The “How-To” Guide

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Ever since guest blogger, Jenny M posted about Donating Cord Blood I wanted to learn more. I had heard (and read) all about the benefits and costs associated with banking our baby’s cord blood but I never knew I had the option to donate.  And I certainly didn’t know that I could donate for FREE.  I immediately started researching this.

At my next OB appointment I asked my doctor for information about donating.   She handed me a packet of information from Cryobanks International to get me started and was very affirmative of my decision to look more into it.

Needless to say, we did end up deciding to donate and I wanted to give you a quick “How-to” Guide for Donating your Cord Blood.  Why?  Well mostly because I wish I would have had someone helping me through the process.  🙂

Disclaimer:  We donated through Cryobanks International Simply because it was the option presented to us at our doctor’s office.  Therefore the following steps on how to donate your cord blood are specific to the Cryobanks system although I’m sure they are similar with other companies as well.

My How-To Guide for Donating your Cord Blood

1. Research the benefits of Donating/Banking Cord Blood. It’s important to know why you would be doing this so be sure to take the time to research how cord blood can be used.  There is a ton of helpful information online about how cord blood is being used today in the medical community.

2. Complete &  Submit Online Form (2 Parts). A simple online health information yes/no form.

3. Download and Print Enrollment Forms.  Upon completing the online form mentioned in #2, your enrollment forms will be available to download and print off.

4. Complete & Mail/Fax In Enrollment Forms. This includes a Health Questionnaire, Consent Form and Donor Information form. It will also require a few signatures from your OB/GYN/Midwife.  After completing your portion of the forms be sure to take these to your next Dr. appointment and get them signed by your health practitioner before mailing them into Lifeforce Cryobanks. **Note:  My doctor’s office actually sent these in for me.

5. Phone Call from Cryobanks International. After receiving your enrollment forms a Cryobanks associate will ca;; to confirm that they were received and ask any additional questions they may have.

6. Receive Cord Blood Collection Kit in Mail. After you are official enrolled, Cryobanks will send your collection kit. Bring the kit to the hospital at the time of delivery.

7. Tell your triage and labor and delivery nurse you are donating your cord blood.

8. Cord Blood Collection. Cord Blood collection is simple and painless.  Your OB, nurse or midwife will collect the cord blood after delivery.  After collection you will notify Cryobanks (this information will be sent in your kit) and they will arrange for their courier service to pick up and deliver the cord blood unit to their lab for processing.

That’s it!  It was very easy and in my opinion well worth it!

I’m so thankful to have been introduced to this opportunity through another SMB writer – thanks Jenny M!

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Steph is the Co-founder of Scottsdale Moms Blog and Social Media Director for Family Matters. She is mamma to Nora (July 2009) and Elsie (May 2011) and wife of Alan.  She loves shopping for great deals, wearing funky jewery and spending loads of time with friends.  Steph gets a kick out of multitasking and loves nothing more than throwing a good party. You are always welcome to e-mail Steph at [email protected].

1 COMMENT

  1. Stephanie, great post first of all. I’m so glad you are informing your friends and readers about this great gift! It’s such a fascinating development in the medical industry and I think we should all participate if we are able to.

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