Thanks for the commentary-the article on the pediatrics academy website is worth reading, especially if you are trying to weigh public vs private donation. the first part is scientist jargon, but the end has the recommendations and the rationale behind each one. I'll summarize what I think are the most interesting points:

1- these private blood banks have a logical argument- "biological insurance" but one that is clinically unproven. The logic can unravel when most doctors say that any cord blood is probably already pre-contaminated so most likely cannot be used by the same child. So, if it is 1 in 1,000 that your child needs his own blood blood, then of that 1 in the 1,000, it might be another 1 in 1000 that the condition didn't already exist in the cord blood. Incredibly slim odds.

Rather, if you donate to a public bank your cells can be used by others that need healthy cells (and vice versa).

2- Private blood banks marketing engines take advantage of people who are at an emotionally fragile stage....just one more thing to worry about (I read this and then started to get mad because I do have 50 pamphlets from viacord and this is one of the many things I'm worried about!

3--They do recommend storing cord blood privately if you already have a child that has signs of a serious illness where your newborns cells may be used directly for the sick child

Because of these things, my bias is to try and do a public donation. I'll confer with our OB and see what she says.