Find the Best Cord Blood Banks in Madison, WI

Choosing a cord blood bank in Madison

Madison residents can choose to store cord blood, cord tissue and placental tissue. While all cord blood banks offer cord blood stem cell storage, not all facilities offer cord tissue and placental tissue options. When selecting a cord blood banking company, look for professionally accredited organizations that are registered with the Food and Drug Administration.

If you want to store your baby’s cord blood stem cells for your family’s exclusive use, choose a private cord blood bank. To make a stem cell donation for use by anyone who needs it, you should find a hospital in Madison that works with a public cord blood bank.

• Private cord blood banking: Private cord blood banking companies charge a fee to collect, process and store your child’s cord blood stem cells for potential use by your family in the future. According to UW Health, you should consider private cord blood banking if you have another child who has a condition that can be treated with a cord blood stem cell transplant, like leukemia or sickle cell disease.
• Public cord blood banking: Public cord blood banks do not charge Madison families to donate cord blood. The cord blood is stored for research or use by a patient who can benefit from it. If you choose to donate your baby’s cord blood, contact your hospital to find out if it helps with the process.

Other factors to consider when choosing a cord blood bank in Madison include the following:

• Experience, including how many units the company has collected and how many it has released for treatment
• The collection process after delivery, including transportation method of the cord blood
• Success rate for transplants
• Cost of collection, processing and storage
• Financial stability
• Financial guarantees in case the stem cells don’t engraft during a transplant

How much does cord blood banking cost in Madison?

The price of cord blood banking in Madison ranges from $3,000 to $5,000, including 20 years of storage. Alternatively, you can pay a one-time fee of $1,000 to $1,800 and an annual storage fee of $125 to $180. Banking cord tissue or placental tissue — if the company provides this service — costs extra.

Many companies offer financing plans to spread payments out over six to 48 months. Discounts are sometimes available if you are having twins or triplets. You can save by paying upfront or by purchasing long-term storage. Look for promotions and special offers.

Health insurance generally doesn’t cover cord blood banking in Madison, but there may be exceptions in medically necessary cases. Contact your provider for details about your specific plan.

Pros and cons of cord blood banking in Madison

There are both pros and cons to private cord blood banking in Madison. It’s important to discuss these with family and with your health care provider before making a decision about whether to store your baby’s cord blood.

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Madison cord blood banking FAQ

Should I save my baby's cord blood?

If your family has a history of disease treatable by cord blood stem cells, private cord blood banking is worth considering. Donating your cord blood, which could save the life of a complete stranger, is another option. Before you make a decision, it’s essential to educate yourself about the process and speak with your health care provider.

Can I donate cord blood in Madison?

We recommend talking with your health care provider and the hospital where you plan to give birth in Madison to find out if it participates in a cord blood donation program.

Can parents use baby's cord blood?

According to the FDA, cord blood can be used by first- or second-degree relatives.

Is cord blood from a baby or mother?

Cord blood is blood from the baby that is left in the umbilical cord and placenta after birth, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.