When I was pregnant with my first baby, the decisions felt endless—from nursery colors to birth plans. But one that really stopped me in my tracks was cord blood banking. I’d seen it mentioned in parenting groups and ads, but I brushed it off at first. Then, as I started researching deeper (late-night Google sessions, anyone?), I realized this could be a real way to safeguard my child’s future health. It’s basically preserving powerful stem cells from the umbilical cord that would otherwise just be discarded after birth.
After comparing a bunch of options, one company kept standing out: Securicord. Their approach felt straightforward, affordable, and packed with extras that others charged more for. In this post, I’ll share my experience researching and deciding—like a mini case study from one expecting mom’s perspective—so you can see if it might fit your family too.
What Drew Me In: The Basics of Cord Blood Banking
Cord blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells, which are already used in over 80 FDA-approved treatments for things like cancers, blood disorders, and immune deficiencies. These cells can be a perfect match for your baby and have a good chance of working for siblings or even parents/grandparents—no risky donor searches or rejection issues.
Securicord also offers cord tissue banking, which stores mesenchymal stem cells (different type) with promising research for conditions like autism, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, and more. It’s still emerging, but it felt like an extra layer of “what if” protection.
They even include DNA testing in some plans—reports on traits like learning styles, athletic potential, nutrition needs, and health risks. Plus, 24/7 support and an emergency line. The whole process sounded painless: They ship a free collection kit to your door, you take it to the hospital, staff collects after delivery (no interference with bonding or delayed clamping in most cases), and Securicord handles pickup, processing, and cryogenic storage using vapor-phase tanks (which they say reduces cross-contamination risks compared to older methods).
The Cost Breakdown: Why It Felt Manageable
Pregnancy expenses add up fast, so pricing was huge for me. Securicord emphasizes “industry-direct” pricing—basically cutting out middleman markups, so it’s often about 50% less than big-name competitors.
Here’s what I found (based on their current plans; always check for updates):
- Cord blood only: Initial setup around $625 (often promoted as half off regular pricing), then $200/year storage or prepaid options (e.g., 10 years ~$2,000, 25 years ~$3,520, lifetime ~$5,520).
- Cord blood + tissue: Setup ~$975, annual storage $300, but prepaid long-term prices stay similar to blood-only.
Everything’s all-inclusive: free shipping, processing, no hidden fees. They have 12-month financing, twin/triplet plans, and sometimes special deals. If you’re interested, I signed up through [this link to Securicord](https://www.securicord.com/)—they occasionally have exclusive promotions for referrals that beat going direct.
How It Stacked Up Against the Big Player: Securicord vs. CBR
Everyone knows Cord Blood Registry (CBR)—it’s the largest, been around forever, and super well-known. Both are AABB-accredited and reliable on the fundamentals.
But for me, Securicord edged out because:
- Clear, lower upfront pricing without add-on surprises (DNA testing is included; with CBR it’s extra).
- Advanced vapor-phase storage vs. more traditional bags.
- Focus on accessibility—no aggressive upsells, just straightforward packages.
CBR has a massive track record and high recovery rates, which is reassuring if brand name matters most. But the value and extras tipped it for Securicord in my case.
Was It Worth It? My Final Thoughts
Honestly, it’s like any insurance—you hope you never need it, but the peace of mind is huge. The odds of using it are low for most families (experts like ACOG say it’s not essential for everyone), and public donation is a free altruistic option if private banking feels too pricey. But with our family history and the rapidly advancing stem cell research, it felt right for us.
I’m not a doctor—this is just my personal research and choice. Definitely chat with your OB or a healthcare pro, especially if there’s any medical history in your family.
If you’re on the fence like I was, check out Securicord for more details or to grab a kit. They made the whole thing feel less overwhelming.
