10 Questions To Ask Your Cord Blood Bank Before Enrolling And What Lifecell’s Answers Mean

Cord blood banking is a once-in-a-lifetime decision for parents. It is that one decision that safeguards the health of their child not just for 1 year or 5 years, but for 75 years. While making the decision is deeply personal, with a variety of cord blood banks available in the country, it is important to make a sound choice after carefully understanding everything about cord blood banking and the cord blood bank you wish to choose. 

Before committing, we have gathered the top 10 important questions that you can ask your cord blood bank to make an informed decision. 

Read along to learn the top 10 questions to ask, along with what LifeCell’s answers mean for each. 

How large is your cord blood inventory? 

A cord blood bank’s inventory should be an important consideration, especially when it comes to finding a match for stem cells for a patient who needs a transplant. 

You must ask the cord blood bank how many cord blood units the bank has and, more importantly, how many are qualified and available for use. 

LifeCell’s Community Stem Cell Bank has 85,000+ cord blood units in its shared registry. It gives Indian parents a greater than 97% chance of finding a suitable match within the community inventory.

Is it private, public, or community banking?

Cord blood banking follows different models. In private banking, the stored units are reserved for the enrolled family. Public banking makes donated units available to patients who need a matching transplant, while community banking creates a shared inventory that can even benefit immediate members of the community. 

LifeCell follows a Community Stem Cell Banking model where the stored cord blood cells form part of a shared registry. Eligible members can access matching units according to the terms and conditions of the packages. 

Is the cord blood bank FDA-registered and appropriately accredited? 

Accreditation and regulatory registrations can give you a better understanding of the quality, safety, and operational standards of the cord blood bank. But don’t stop at asking whether the cord blood bank is FDA-approved. Ask which regulatory bodies and accreditation organisations recognize the bank. 

LifeCell holds multiple accreditations, licenses, and certifications across its cord blood banking operations, including: 

• AABB: Accredited for both umbilical cord blood and cord tissue processing & storage.
• DCGI: Licensed by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation in India.
• NABL: Tested and calibrated through the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories.
• CAP & AATB: Accredited by the College of American Pathologists and registered/accredited with the American Association of Tissue Banks.
• Other Standards: WHO-GMP compliance, US FDA establishment registration, and ISO certifications.

A strong accreditation and regulatory framework can indicate that a bank follows defined standards for areas such as collection, processing, testing, and storage. When choosing a cord blood bank, consider what each accreditation covers and whether it applies to the specific facility you are enrolling in.

Who can use the stored stem cells? 

This may be one of the most important questions when it comes to enrolling in cord blood banking. It is about who the programme supports. 

LifeCell’s Community Banking programme is designed to provide access to matching stem cell units for eligible members, including the enrolled child and immediate family members like siblings, parents, and grandparents from both sides. 

How is the sample collected? 

Cord blood collection happens immediately after the birth of the baby, so it is important to understand the process and how it can fit into your delivery plan. 

The collection is performed after the baby is born and the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. It does not require any additional procedure for the baby and is completely painless for both mom and baby. 

LifeCell coordinates the process of collection with the parents and healthcare team at the hospital and provides a collection kit for the delivery. 

What happens after collection? 

Once collected, the cord blood is transported, tested, processed, and cryopreserved under controlled conditions. Ask the bank about the complete journey of the sample, including transportation, testing, processing, and quality checks for cryopreservation. 

LifeCell follows a defined process before the cord blood unit is cryopreserved for long- term storage. Once the sample reaches the facility, it undergoes a thorough quality check, including checks for leakage, cellular health checks, and biochemical screening. At LifeCell, Pentastarch technology is used to process cord blood units. It helps to extract the maximum viable stem cells from the sample while reducing RBC contamination. 

Where will my baby’s sample actually be stored? 

Storage infrastructure matters the most when it comes to long-term storage because the sample is preserved for years at a stretch. 

Ask where the storage facilities are, what kind of technology is used, and what safeguards are in place in case of emergencies or infrastructure failures. 

LifeCell operates dedicated stem cell storage facilities that use cryogenic storage conditions designed for long- term preservation. The infrastructure also includes contingency plans intended to protect stored samples. 

What happens if my baby’s sample is not suitable for storage? 

Every cord blood collection will not necessarily result in a sample that meets all the bank’s criteria for processing and storage. 

Ask what happens if the collected sample does not meet the required quality parameters or the volume is insufficient. 

LifeCell has policies covering samples that do not meet its storage criteria, including provisions that apply to low-volume or unsuitable samples. 

How long can the sample be stored? 

Cord blood banking is a long-term commitment, so understand the different storage periods and what happens when that period ends. 

LifeCell offers multiple storage-duration options, including: 

• 1-Year Annual Plan: Pay yearly for storage with options to convert or renew.
• 21-Year One-Time Plan: Prepay for 21 years of cryopreservation with extended EMI options.
• 75-Year Lifetime Plan: Store your baby’s stem cells for a lifetime with comprehensive coverage.

What happens if my family needs the sample? 

Perhaps the most important question of all is whether the stored stem cells are ever required and who can access them from the family. 

Ask about the matching process, eligibility, timelines, costs, and retrieval procedures. 

LifeCell’s Community Stem Cell Banking gives eligible members access to matching units within its community registry, subject to medical suitability and terms.

The Bottom Line: Why Does It Matter? 

Choosing a cord blood bank is more than just finding a storage plan that fits your budget. 

You are choosing who will handle your baby’s cord blood, how it will be processed, where it will be stored, and what happens in case your family ever needs access to it. 

So, before enrolling, look beyond the offer price. Ask the right questions about the bank’s inventory, banking model, regulatory standards, collection process, storage infrastructure, and retrieval process.

The right questions can help you compare cord blood banks more confidently and understand what you are choosing for your little one’s future. 

If you are considering cord blood banking, explore LifeCell’s Community Stem Cell Banking to understand the programme, eligibility, and available plans.