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There are family cord blood banks in countries throughout the world. You can ask your doctor or hospital to direct you to a private bank with a good reputation, or you can look on a directory of private blood banks and do your own research on those you find. The Parent's Guide to Cord Blood Foundation has a worldwide directory of family cord blood banks, which you can browse for free. Note that cost is not necessarily an indication of quality. Some less expensive blood banks might be cutting corners in potentially unsafe manners, but others might have lower costs simply because they spend less on marketing. Reputation is usually a better indication than anything else. You should also check on the qualifications and experience of those running the blood bank, as well as the company's viability, stability, and storage technology. Shop around. If one blood bank can't offer you a discount, call another. It may take awhile to find the best rates for your financial situation. Once you find a private blood bank you want to work with, you should contact them and make arrangements. You should also make sure that your doctor and hospital are aware of these arrangements at least one month before your baby is born, if not sooner. The company you've chosen to bank with should send you a collection kit. You must give this kit to the hospital or birthing center at the time of delivery. Even though the hospital will not receive the kit until delivery, you should still make them aware of your intentions beforehand. Make sure that cord blood is collected after delivery. Doctors and nurses should collect the blood from your baby's umbilical cord within a few minutes after the birth of your child. Each private blood bank has its own procedures, but when your family needs the cord blood stored at the bank, you should be able to notify the bank and have the blood delivered to your hospital for a transfusion. You may need medical authorization from a doctor to show the blood is presently needed. The cord blood will be tested to see whether or not it's a match for the patient.
Find a good family cord blood bank. Include the decision in your birth plan. Take the blood out of storage if necessary.