Some of the options for cord blood banking are:

• Public cord blood banks: accept donations of cord blood for anyone who needs a stem cell transplant and matches the donor. No cost to donate, but no guarantee of availability for your family. ^{2 3}
• Private cord blood banks: charge a fee to collect and store your baby's cord blood for your family's exclusive use. You have the right to decide who can access and use the cord blood, but it is expensive and not covered by insurance. Quality and reliability of the private bank are important factors. ^{2 4}
• Experimental treatments: use cord blood stem cells for research or clinical trials that aim to treat or cure various diseases and conditions, such as neurologic disorders or metabolic diseases. These treatments are not proven or approved by the FDA, and may have unknown risks or benefits. Consult your healthcare provider and do your own research before enrolling. ^{10 11}