I was adviced by a family member once to think about cord blood banking for my baby. I was told it is a precautionary step to take just in case the baby needs it in any stage of thier life in the futrure.

I've been discussing it with my husband and I have few questions:

- How benefitial it is? would it really be life saving in case my baby have any blood disorders or Good forbids lukiema?

- How can I do it in Oman?

- How much would it cost?

- If I save it for my first baby would it be useful for my other babies?

- Sabla Docs, do you advice it?

I look at it like this: What is there to lose? Nothing!

So do it, and if it turns out to be a useless 'fad' of this decade, then so be it.
But if years down the line it could be useful... then even better..

The only drawback I have in mind now is the cost. I dont know how much would it actually cost but I dont think it will be cheap esp. here in Oman.

The only drawback I have in mind now is the cost. I dont know how much would it actually cost but I dont think it will be cheap esp. here in Oman.
they do it in Malta. i think the cost is around 600us dollars.

I think this depends on how Expensive it would be... if resonable amount of expensive then i think it is totally worth it..

Read the Background section at the bottom of this link (http://pediatrics.about.com/od/agesandstages/i/cord_blood_bank.htm)

Can someone please explain what is "cord blood banking" in layman terms?

Can someone please explain what is "cord blood banking" in layman terms?
in the umbilical cord there are some stem cells similar to the cells present in the bone marrow. (which produces blood that is made of 3 kinds of cells)
basically, when someone gets leukemia (for example) they need a bone marrow donor that's 100% matching. when you are born, you have a 100% matching stock of stem cells in your umbilical cord. potentially stem cells can be modified to grow into any kind of cell, ready to use when you need it.

How benefitial it is? would it really be life saving in case my baby have any blood disorders or Good forbids lukiema?

It is quite beneficial, but I won't call it life saving, because the body can reject it's own cells in case of an autoimmune disorder, there is no 100% in medicine

How can I do it in Oman?

Honestly, I am not sure, how about giving the central blood bank a call & enquiring further? Call 24591255

How much would it cost?

If it can't be done in Oman, you can get it saved in private banks elsewhere & they are not costly at all

If I save it for my first baby would it be useful for my other babies?

No it won't, as I said, it might not be useful to anyone at all, even the first baby itself

Sabla Docs, do you advice it?

Go for it, no harm

Thanks Thalia, Minerva, Sweety and Hitman for the valuable information.

I am convinced to do it, Minerva could you please ask the place in Malta if they accept storing cord blood from abroad and what would be the process? or at least if you could provide me with thier contact details. 600 Dollars is not much, I thought it wuold be something like 2000.

ok i'll ask :)