How much does Cord Blood Banking cost?
As you prepare for the impending birth of your newborn baby, you must be faced with many different decisions. One question that may have popped up is should you be storing your baby’s umbilical cord blood.
For most, the choice is dependent on the overall cost of Cord Blood Banking. Cord Blood Banking is the process of collecting, processing, and storing potentially life-saving stem cells for future use, this leaves a lot of soon-to-be parents wondering if it is worth the money.
In this article, we share the average cost of banking your baby’s cord blood and other factors to keep in mind when making this once-in-a-lifetime decision.
What exactly is Cord Blood?
Cord blood is the blood found in your baby’s umbilical cord; it is a rich source of Haemopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs). These stem cells make up the building blocks of our blood and immune system throughout our life.
HSCs can develop into all types of blood cells. These stem cells are clinically proven to be used in the treatment of over 80 diseases1, such as blood disorders, certain childhood and blood cancers, metabolic disorders, and immunodeficiency syndrome.
Doctors believe that there is more potential, and research is ongoing to use Cord Blood to treat other diseases including Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Diabetes, Heart Diseases, Strokes and more.
What are the benefits of storing Cord Blood for your baby?
Your baby’s Cord Blood will always be a 100% match for your baby. An autologous transplant, or a transplant where the patient is the donor, will have a lower risk of life-threatening complications. There is no risk of graft-versus-host-diseases (GVHD) and there will be no need for the patient to undergo immunosuppressive therapy.
On top of this, your baby’s cord blood can also potentially be used to treat immediate family members – as cord blood from a related donor will result in fewer complications and improved medical outcomes. The cord blood sample will always be readily available, this means no treatment delays while eliminating the difficulties of finding a compatible donor for treatment, and any potential disease progression can be avoided.
So, how much does Cord Blood Banking cost?
When you sign up with a private cord blood bank in Singapore like StemCord, it means that your cord blood is stored exclusively for you and your family. The fees for cord blood banking include enrolment, collection, processing, and storage fees.
These precious stem cells can be stored 21 years and beyond. StemCord offers affordable payment plans to store both Cord Blood & Cord Stem Cells from as little as S$1.30 per day*.
If your child is a Singaporean, you can access the Baby Bonus Scheme – Child Development Account (CDA) that can be used to offset the cost of Cord Blood Banking in Singapore.
*Terms & Conditions Apply.
When and how to get started in the cord blood process with StemCord?
It is often recommended for you to book an appointment with a StemCord consultant before the third trimester, around 28 – 32 weeks. This gives you a month before your due date to research and prepare yourself in case you deliver early.
Waiting until you are in the delivery room to make the decision is not recommended because the necessary materials may not be available. As long as you educate yourself with the relevant information in advance, you can be assured of the decision that is best for you and your family.
Deciding to bank your child’s cord blood is a gift which you can give your child from birth. With all the benefits that it offers, it is a worthwhile investment which can help protect your child’s future.
What Affects the Cord Blood Banking Cost?
At StemCord, we aim to make cord blood and cord stem cells banking affordable for all families. The total cost typically includes the following components:
- Initial Collection & Processing Fee : This covers the collection of cord blood at the hospital, transport to the laboratory, and laboratory processing. Our team ensures the highest standards of care throughout this process.
- Storage Fees : Cord blood stem cells are cryopreserved and stored in a secure, state-of-the-art facility. The storage fee can vary depending on the number of years you choose—typically, options include 5, 11, 21, or lifetime storage plans.
- Additional Services : Some parents choose to bank both cord blood and cord stem cells for added medical benefits. We also offer dual storage, where your baby’s stem cells are stored in two separate locations for extra security and maximising the potential of usage.We understand that the cord blood banking cost can be a concern for growing families, which is why we offer flexible pricing plans and interest-free installment options to fit your budget.
Initial Collection & Processing Fee
This covers the collection of cord blood at the hospital, transport to the laboratory, and laboratory processing. Our team ensures the highest standards of care throughout this process.
Storage Fees
Cord blood stem cells are cryopreserved and stored in a secure, state-of-the-art facility. The storage fee can vary depending on the number of years you choose—annual, 11 or 21 years plan.
Additional Services
Some parents choose to bank both cord blood and cord stem cells for added medical benefits. We also offer dual storage, where your baby’s stem cells are stored in two separate locations for extra security and maximising the potential of usage.We understand that the cord blood banking cost can be a concern for growing families, which is why we offer flexible pricing plans and interest-free installment options to fit your budget.
Is the Investment Worth It?
The cord blood banking cost should be viewed as an investment, not an expense. The peace of mind that comes from knowing you have access to your child’s genetically unique stem cells—potentially a match for siblings and family members—is priceless. With emerging uses in regenerative medicine and potential future treatments for conditions like cerebral palsy and autism1, the value of stored cord blood may increase significantly over time.
Why Choose StemCord?
StemCord is an autologous, private Cord Blood Bank headquartered in Singapore and founded by a group of medical oncologists, haematologists and physicians, audited and licensed by the Ministry of Health (MOH), Singapore. StemCord is also accredited by NetCord-FACT, in accordance with the Standards developed by international teams of experts on the collection, processing, testing, banking, selection and release of autologous cord blood units with dual storage locations for added protection & security.
When you choose
You’re choosing:
- Over 20 years of expertise
- MOH-accredited laboratory
- Secure, long-term storage options
- Flexible pricing plans
- 24/7 collection support
Our dedicated team works around the clock to ensure that your baby’s stem cells are collected, processed, and stored with the utmost care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, unless you opt for a prepaid long-term storage plan. You can choose the option that best fits your financial situation.
In many cases, yes. Especially among siblings with a high degree of genetic match, the stem cells may be suitable for treatment.
Absolutely. The procedure is safe, painless, and does not interfere with your delivery.
Our cryopreservation technology is designed to maintain the stem cells in optimal condition for decades, ensuring future usability.
Want to find out more?
Call us at (65) 6471 2002 or click here to arrange a meeting or chat.
Our consultant can arrange for a non-obligatory meeting to provide you with more information and answer any questions you may have.