She was frustratingly noncommittal to be honest, but I only thought of phrasing the question in the "would you do this for your children" way after our last appointment - I'll probably ask her that next time we meet.

I learned a few years ago that that was the best way to ask any doctor any question.

Ditto. Especially after one made a glib comment in front of his intern how a simple procedure (a nerve test) could potentially puncture my lung but it was my decision whether I wanted it.

"What would you recommend for a family member" gets a noticeable change of demeanor/gravity.

Personally I've found, "Assume that I'm paying you in cash, not with insurance" as a prefix to a question is very, very helpful with doctors.

Before I tried this approach, I would get "you might want to consider having your tonsils removed. Have a nice day" over and over again for about 8 years.

After I tried this approach it was, "Go see an ENT and have them removed immediately!". From the same doctor who was otherwise afraid of insurance related referral paperwork.

Our OB/GYN, who does stem cell research, said she doesn't really recommend it since there isn't a high probability of using it (weighed against the cost). But my father-in-law who's also an OB/GYN only wanted the best for his granddaughter so he foot the bill :)

Here's my blog post on it: http://athomedad.justinchen.net/storing-cord-blood