Umbilical Cord Blood Bank

If I would need a blood transfusion could I use my baby's umbilical cord blood?

Public Comments

1. I think you would need the same type of blood, unless your baby is O-. Children get their blood type from their dad.
2. No. Umbilical cord blood is harvested for its stem cells. Blood transfusions aren't rare but it depends on your blood type. If you have a common type, than there's no problem. The hospital should have an adequate supply.
3. no. the reason cord blood is offered to be kept is for its stem cells. if baby develops leukaemia the stem cells can be used in treatment. also if a child gets leaukaemia and the mother is pregnant the stem cells from the sibling may be used to treat the child.