What is cord blood?
Cord blood remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after birth. It contains blood-forming stem cells used in treatment for certain blood, immune, and inherited disorders.
Public donation or private storage?
- Public donation: Usually free to the family. An accepted donation may help a compatible patient and is not reserved for your family.
- Private banking: Stores the sample for possible family use and involves collection and storage fees.
- Directed donation: May be worth discussing when a close family member has a condition that a transplant specialist believes could benefit.
Routine private storage as “biological insurance” is not supported by current evidence. A child’s own cord blood may be unsuitable for treating that child’s inherited disorder or certain cancers. Proposed regenerative uses should not be confused with established treatments. ACOG: Cord blood banking guidance
Collection and limitations
Collection occurs after the cord is clamped and cut; it does not involve drawing blood directly from the baby. At delivery, Dr. Malik collects the cord blood and sends it to the company you have chosen, so enroll with that company and follow its instructions before your due date. Sometimes the sample is too small or cannot be collected.
Your care and your baby’s care come first. Discuss delayed cord clamping and collection together, because delaying clamping may reduce the amount available to bank. Plan well before delivery. ACOG: Cord blood collection
Companies to research
Examples of private providers include Cord Blood Registry, ViaCord, and Cryo-Cell. These are examples, not endorsements.
Compare accreditation, total costs, transport arrangements, sample acceptance standards, release fees, and what happens if the company closes.
Frequently asked questions
Does banking guarantee a future treatment?
No. A stored sample may never be needed or may not be suitable.
Is cord tissue banking the same thing?
No. It stores different tissue, and many advertised future uses remain investigational.
Questions about your pregnancy? Contact Davie ObGyn in Davie, Florida, at 954-880-1010. New and established patients are welcome. This information supports your prenatal care and does not replace an individual medical assessment. For urgent symptoms, call your care team promptly; for an emergency, call 911. Do not use a routine online message for urgent symptoms.
Medically reviewed by Rahil Malik, MD, FACOG, board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist. Last reviewed: September 26, 2026. This page is general information and does not replace a visit with your doctor.