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11 Important Decisions to Make During Pregnancy

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Should We Bank Baby's Cord Blood?

Some parents choose to save and store their baby's umbilical cord blood because it is rich in stem cells that could be used later on to treat medical conditions ranging from leukemia to cerebral palsy to metabolic disorders. Private cord blood banking (where the blood is available only to the donor's family) is very costly, while public cord blood banking is usually covered by insurance and makes the blood available to anyone in need. Some studies have shown that private cord blood banking may only be cost-effective for families with an increased risk of certain medical conditions treated with stem cells and, even then, is not a guaranteed treatment. As such, the AAP encourages public cord blood banking but discourages private cord blood banking. Get more information on cord blood banking, and weigh the options with your doctor.

Next: Who Can Visit and Help After the Baby Arrives?

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