If you are currently an expecting mother too, then you would know how it feels like to be a prey to many salespeople that target our hormones as a successful business closure. No kidding!

Among many are those from the private Cord Blood Banking companies that use “Emotional Marketing” to brainwash us into swiping our credit cards *twilight theme*

What are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are cells with the potential to develop into many different types of cells in the body. They serve as a repair system for the body.

They can be found in umbilical cord from babies, bone marrow and peripheral blood from adults.

Cord Blood Stem Cells

Umbilical cord blood could supply the same kinds of blood-forming (hematopoietic) stem cells as a bone marrow donor.

These cells are capable of developing into the three types of mature blood cells present in our blood — Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells and Platelets.

The collection of Cord Blood is non-invasive and can only be collected once in a lifetime.

We were previously approached by Stemlife’s Consultant during our 1st appointment with Dr Tan. As we waited for our turn, I thought it wouldn’t do any harm to just listen. But of course it did! Because we finally decided yesterday to sign up with that Lady when we go for our antenatal check up next Tuesday.

Thank God for the Internet! *phew*

Is It Right For Me?

The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t recommend cord blood banking for families who don’t have a history of disease. That’s because research has not yet determined the likelihood — 1 in 2,700 or lower — that a child would ever need his or her own stem cells.

Other doctors and researchers support saving umbilical cord blood as a source of blood-forming stem cells in every delivery – mainly because of the promise that stem-cell research holds for the future.

However, it is unknown how long cord blood can be successfully stored!

Continue Reading

If you wished to find out more — not from their “Consultants” of course! — I have here a list of great insights contributed by the Mommies at MsiaBrides. After reading it, you might just think otherwise

I hope this post got to you in time. Just as these articles did me and the husband last night! At the end of the day, it is still your decision. At least now, it would be an Informed Decision!

Find Out More

Reviews from The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Advice from Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, UK
Medical Experts Warn Against Commercial Cord Blood Banking
FAQ on Private Cord Blood Banking
FAQ on Cord Blood Banking
Survey: Few Physicians Support Private Cord Blood Banking
Is it worth banking your baby’s cord blood?
Plea to women banking cord blood
10 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Use StemLife

Added 2/2/10, 7.03pm
We asked for Dr Tan’s opinion on this and he also doesn’t buy into the idea because currently cord blood can only cure Leukemia.

As usual, his advice is and I quote: If you have the extra money to dump in, go ahead! *LOL*

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