CORDBLOOD STEMCELLS (Part I)

Been wondering about the collection of cordblood stemcells since i got pregnant. DH been talking about it, waaay before i got pregnant bc one of his fren did it. But..i just don't give it a damn. Now..am doing my own research about it as much as possible, bc DH seems so interested on this particular subject.


Generally:

Cord blood, which is also called “placental blood”, is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth and after the cord is cut. Cord blood is routinely discarded with the placental and umbilical cord. Your baby’s umbilical cord blood is a valuable source of stem cells, which are genetically unique to your baby and family.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity – Only At Birth
An expectant parents age storing cord blood stem cells for their families, not only as a potential life-saving resource for current uses of stem cells, but also for their future potential. Some families have more defined risk factors, but most often, parents bank for the security of knowing the health benefits stem cells may someday offer their children, themselves or other family members.

Cord blood banking is prudent choice if you or your spouse/partner has any family history of a disease that is treatable with stem cells, such as leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. It is important to remember, however, that for many cancers or diseases, the causes are unknown and they occur even when there is no family history of the disease.


Basically that's it, what is all about. However, i need to know more. As it involves thousands of RM (Hmmm...) The purpose sounds good. But, i want to know the -ve part about it too.


What i found?

• Generally speaking, cord blood banking ni mcm insurance (potential life saving). Digunakan bile ade health prob (Stem cells can treat 70 diseases, including leukemia, thalassemia, lymphoma, myeloma, solid tumors and etc) for the baby, u & ur family.
• Many couples do not bank the cord blood when they have a baby is because of the cost.
• Dr segi islam: thumbs up, as it purpose is to cure.
• Currently, there are three co. in Msia on this cord blood bank-Stemlife, Cyrocord & Cellsafe International. (Which one yg elok?-not sure masih dlm process research). But, cuma Cellsafe International bole attend collection kat government hospital, the rest kat private shj.
  
• Ade package2 dia: The more money u fork out-the longer years u'll be able to keep it.
  
• However, money will be refunded if during collection, the stemcells count is low / contaminated and let's say it's contamination free-the cells will be kept in nitrogen liquid at -196 celcius. if kept properly, the cells shouldn't get damaged or die and even sepatutnya takde tarikh luput.. but in the event that one day u need to use it, the cells have to be retested again before the transplant takes place, and kalau this time didapati contaminated, ade money back guarantee.
• I found that, ade certain2 gynae tak agree on this particular collection diatas beberapa sbb yg am not clear about it.

Info still tak cukup. I still need to hear what they (the stemcells collector) hv to say during my ante natal class in March. Me & DH agreed to discuss this with our ob-gyn, to know her opinion on this.

P/s: Topic to be continued after further research...