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Your pregnancy: 23 weeks


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Decision Guide: Will you bank your baby's cord blood?

If you bank your baby's cord blood, the blood left in your baby's umbilical cord and placenta after birth is collected, frozen, and stored for future medical use. Cord blood is prized because it's a rich source of stem cells – the building blocks of the blood and immune system.


The process of collecting cord blood is fast and painless for you and your baby. Storing cord blood makes it more likely that that its unique, potentially lifesaving stem cells won't go to waste.

If you decide to bank your baby's cord blood, you have two main options:

You can donate your baby's cord blood to a public cord blood bank for anyone who needs it. Check with your doctor or hospital if you're interested (only certain hospitals are set up to allow cord blood donation). Ideally you'll sign up to donate when you're between 28 and 34 weeks pregnant.  Most public cord blood banks and hospitals need several weeks before the birth to check your health history and eligibility for donating.

You can pay to store your baby's cord blood in a private cord blood bank for your family to use. You can probably go this route, regardless of where you give birth. Cord blood banks urge expectant parents to sign up during their second trimester of pregnancy. Talk to your doctor or hospital if you're interested, and find out how to choose a reliable private cord blood bank.

Find out more:

This Week's Activity:

Write a letter to your baby. You and your child will treasure this gift for years to come. Go with your heart and follow your inspiration. If you need help getting started:

  • Describe your feelings toward your baby and what it's like to know she's growing inside you.
  • Imagine a perfect day with your baby and what you'll do together.
  • Write down your hopes, dreams, and wishes for your baby.
  • Think about what being a mother means to you and your definition of what makes a good mother.

If writing isn't your style, put together a collage or a memory box of pregnancy mementos, says Diane Sanford, a clinical psychologist whose focus is on helping women make the transition to motherhood.

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Your Pregnancy, Week by Week
Your Pregnancy, Week by Week
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