[summithorse]

I am so excited. I had wanted to donate DD's cord blood, but at the time (three years ago) my hospital wasn't on an approved hospital list to be affiliated with a public bank. I was so disappointed to let that go to waste if it could potentially save lives.

I read about a new program through Duke University that sends collection kits to your home and the hospital doesn't have to be on the list. I have been pre-screened and get to donate the cord blood this time! Yay!

If you are interested, go to bethematch.org or call 1-800-627-7692 at least 6 weeks prior to your due date.

[AltMommy]

I would like to do this, but don't they have to cut the cord right away for it to be worth it to donate? I really want to wait until the cord stops pulsating before they cut it. Correct me if i'm wrong... Because that is definitely something I would do, just not if it has to be cut right away. I want my baby to get those last extra nutrients

[GiaTortilla]

Yay good for you I put it on my birth plan that I'd like to donate too, but I don't know if I'll be able to. I might have to bring it up at my next appointment. I think it'll depend on how my labor is going, hopefully I can donate though.

[summithorse]

I really don't know, but that's a good question. Maybe you can ask your doctor about it.

[KMH]

If you choose delayed cord clamping and wait till the cord stops pulsing to cut, there will not be cord blood to bank/donate. You have to choose 1 or the other.

[doremi]

Ditto what was said above. You have to choose either delayed clamping or donation... can't do both. I tried to donate Josiah's cord blood, but the place I was donating to had a minimum amount that you had to collect in order for the kit to be sent back. They were unable to collect the minimum amount. I was disappointed at the time, because that had been my way of acknowledging my Dad's recent death to cancer and making him a part of my birth process. I wasn't aware of delayed cord clamping the first time around, but now I'm thinking I would prefer to go this route with Jamison, as it really is wonderful for the baby.