Women who are pregnant may have heard about the importance of storing cord blood. This blood is rich in stem cells. Due to this, it has the potential to treat certain illnesses. People who are considering storing this substance will be asking themselves the question “how much does banking cord blood cost?”
When parents first get a quote for cord blood storage, they are likely to be taken aback by the high cost. People in this situation need to understand that the first year fees will be much more expensive than coming years. This is because it includes fees for collection, processing, testing and storage. In the United States, parents can expect to pat between $1,700 to $2,300 for the first year of storage. The cost will then drop significantly in following years as parents will only have to pay for storage. Storage of cord blood typically costs $125 per year.
The fees discussed above are guideline amounts. Some banks will have higher fees while others will charge less than expected. This is due to a number of factors. For example some parents will choose to pay upfront for several years worth of services. Other parents may be eligible for discounts.
There is no denying that cord blood storage is expensive. However it is well worth the cost. This blood contains stem cells which can treat some very serious illnesses. For example some doctors have had success treating Leukemia with cord blood. While it may not cure every disease out there, it can help with certain juvenile illnesses. At the end of the day, a few thousand dollars is a small price to pay to save the life of a child. People who are expecting a baby should learn about the benefits of this substance. Parents will need to decide whether or not they wish to store the blood fairly quickly as it can only be collected within a few days of birth.