Find the Best Cord Blood Banks in Sioux City, IA

Private vs. public cord blood banking in Sioux City

Growing Sioux City families have a lot of decisions to make ahead of giving birth. There are many benefits to both private cord blood banking and public cord banking, so you should consider these factors early on to help choose what company or organization you want to work with.

• Private cord blood banks work with clients for a fee, storing cord blood, cord tissue and placenta tissue for their exclusive use. Families that bank with private companies usually pay a set fee either upfront, every month or every year, depending on their plans. They can then access their cells at any time. Private cord blood banking is better for families with a history of disease treatable with cord blood or tissue cell transplants.
• Public cord blood banks make stem cells available to the public for transplants and to medical professionals for research. Donating to a public cord blood bank is recommended for families that do not have a history of disease since they are less likely to need the cells. Instead, your specimen could save the lives of others.

How much does cord blood banking cost in Sioux City?

The price of cord blood banking varies depending on a variety of factors, but it usually costs between $3,000 and $6,500 for 20 years of private storage in Sioux City. Factors that influence prices include:

• The duration of storage
• What types of specimen you submit
• The collection method
• The company you’re working with

Pros and cons of cord blood banking in Sioux City

There are many benefits to blood banking in Sioux City, but it’s important to understand the risks and drawbacks as well.

Pros:

• Stem cells can help treat many illnesses, such as leukemia and certain lymphomas, either for your family or for others in need.
• You can donate cord blood to medical research to help scientists learn and develop cures.
• Medical research is always advancing, so more uses for cord blood cells may be available in the future.

Cons:

• Private banking can be cost-prohibitive, and storage is usually not covered by health insurance.
• Most families who store cord blood privately never use it.

Sioux City cord blood banking FAQ

Can cord blood be used for grandparents?

Yes, as long as they have the same blood type, older family members like grandparents can use cord blood to help treat certain illnesses. However, they may require additional sources of stem cells, as adults often need more than one umbilical cord can provide.

How many times can cord blood be used?

Typically, cord blood can only be used once, as the entire amount is needed for most transplants. The amount of stem cells required to treat certain illnesses depends on the type and severity of the illness and the age and size of the person receiving treatment.

Is it worth banking cord blood?

It depends on your finances and your family’s medical history. Ideally, you never have to put your cord blood to use and it does end up being unnecessary. However, you never know when your family will have a medical emergency, which is why many people don’t mind paying to be sure they have access to possible treatments.