Cord Blood?

CANGRKE70 · 03-18-2019, 08:10 AM

I want to hear from the parents on weather or not they saved their kids umbilical cord fluid and if you're still paying for it years later?

I'm thinking of doing it as you never know...

Cost to store is about $200 per year and initial cost is around 2k-5K. You have the option to store for either 18 years or 30 years.

Quote:

The umbilical cord fluid is loaded with stem cells. They can treat cancer, blood diseases like anemia, and some immune system disorders, which disrupt your body's ability to defend itself. The fluid is easy to collect and has 10 times more stem cells than those collected from bone marrow.

I'm getting a split decision when talking to recent parents and I don't have a history in either side of our families where something like stem cells is needed.

Am I getting duped as a first time parent?

Is this something like a gun, where better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it?

Thanks

P.S. My wife's due date is tomorrow so probably going to need to get on this asap.

AnOldBiker · 03-18-2019, 08:17 AM

I've only recently heard of this, and from what I've read, its another way for some company to make money at your expense.

upstatedoc · 03-18-2019, 08:46 AM

we saved my middles cord blood, he's ten now. i think its about $200/year. small price to pay imo if it could save one of my boys life

Clark_Kent · 03-18-2019, 09:12 AM

We banked blood and tissue for our first and only thus far. There were a couple of genetic disorders we wanted to account for and after learning more about the potential applications for both child (future siblings included) and parents, it made sense for us. I did not want to put our children's fate (or ours) in the hands of a public bank should we be afflicted with a covered disease. We opted to make the lump sum payment for 18 years. It ended up saving us a few thousand dollars.

It's difficult to poll on something like this. At the end of the day, you have to do what you believe is in the best interest of your family. I'm not sure there's a right answer on this. Now, BMW Tire and Wheel Protection is a no brainer...hard pass on it all the time, every time.

King Rudi · 03-18-2019, 09:21 AM

I have to say this is the first I have heard of such a thing. I can see the benefits of doing such but it does seem like an insurance policy type scenario. You pay us in case something happens.....then again, it's a small price to pay in the event that it is needed.

If it were me, I would pay it. Imagine the guilt you would carry as a parent in the event that it was needed and you didn't take advantage of this. On the opposite end imagine the resentment from your child that you could have potentially done something to save them and didn't.

Congratulations btw!

lsturbointeg · 03-18-2019, 10:13 AM

LOL! I have 3 kids who are in their 20's now but back than the Dr would snip part of it off and we currently have them in a photo album. isn't that how it's still done nowadays?

edit: I noticed I miss the word "fluid" so never mind me lol I though you meant umbilical cord

Colodano · 03-18-2019, 10:20 AM

We looked at it, and decided that since we didn't have anything in family history that was scary on either side, we would not do it. If we had tons of extra money laying around, we might have done it, oh well.

CANGRKE70 · 03-18-2019, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Now_Rudi

Congratulations btw!

Thanks!

kscarrol · 03-18-2019, 11:05 AM

This was relatively new when ours were born almost 20 years ago. We passed just given the expense. As another pointed out that maybe if there was some family history of a disease where you might need the stem cells, maybe then. But I didn't do it and voted no.

And congratulations on the baby! Hope delivery goes smoothly!

Joekerr · 03-18-2019, 12:17 PM

From a fellow Canuck, we did it. Saw it mostly as an insurance policy type thing, and while I hate insurance, it was something that could potentially make a huge difference for my sons.

Part of what helped us decide was one of my wife's friends had her son (and this woman is a doctor, speaks the medical lingo, knows signs to look for, etc), anyways, her son developed some sort of condition (can't remember what) at about 18 months. Looked fine at birth and all, and she didn't even really notice anything, it was her friends who told her that she should really get her son checked out.

Anyways, it was the cord blood that wound up basically saving this kids life. He's completely normal and healthy again and they were pretty happy they had made the decision to save it.

So you never know - better to have it and not need it and to not have it and need it.

We used Cells for life, but there really are so many providers out there.

UncleWede · 03-18-2019, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kscarrol

This was relatively new when ours were born almost 20 years ago. We passed just given the expense. As another pointed out that maybe if there was some family history of a disease where you might need the stem cells, maybe then. But I didn't do it and voted no.

And congratulations on the baby! Hope delivery goes smoothly!

Can we joke about the diabeetus? Even knowing that, I didn't for my youngest (the only one possible when I was around)

I know a few friends who did, but don't know of anyone actually using it as of yet.

Horror stories, relating to what happened in some companies where frozen heads were thawed accidentally . . .

kscarrol · 03-18-2019, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Can we joke about the diabeetus? Even knowing that, I didn't for my youngest (the only one possible when I was around)

I know a few friends who did, but don't know of anyone actually using it as of yet.

Horror stories, relating to what happened in some companies where frozen heads were thawed accidentally . . .

Absolutely, diabeetus jokes are always appreciated!

And I won't ask about thawed heads...

infinitekidM2C · 03-18-2019, 01:31 PM

First of all Congratulations brother. Nicely done to make the "basket." Ok so as a new parent keep your ears perked for all the crap they will try to sell you. Keep asking about everything from people you know with kids because otherwise you'll spend all sorts of money on bs. As for the cord blood, i didnt but i'd look into the effectiveness before i'd shell out that kind of money.

Don't do it.

UncleWede · 03-18-2019, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Absolutely, diabeetus jokes are always appreciated!

And I won't ask about thawed heads...

If you'd saved the cord, you coulda had 3 or 4 new pancreas growed by now???

CANGRKE70 · 03-18-2019, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleWede

If you'd saved the cord, you coulda had 3 or 4 new pancreas growed by now???

Don't joke...that's where the research for diabeetus is going now. Stem cell implants.

https://www.diabetes.ca/publications...t-being-tested

kscarrol · 03-18-2019, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CANGRKE70

Don't joke...that's where the research for diabeetus is going now. Stem cell implants.

https://www.diabetes.ca/publications...t-being-tested

Yes I've seen this research. But for you the important thing is those stem cells do not come from umbilical saved from birth!

View Poll Results: Should I save my baby's umbilical cord fluid?
Pay for the service as you never know.	2	16.67%
Don't get duped as a first time parent.	10	83.33%
Voters: 12. You may not vote on this poll

03-18-2019, 08:17 AM	#2
AnOldBiker Jim 269 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 XDrive 40i Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Land of Retirement iTrader: (0)	I've only recently heard of this, and from what I've read, its another way for some company to make money at your expense.
	Appreciate 2 CANGRKE70817.50 other_evolved2072.00 Quote

03-18-2019, 08:46 AM	#3
upstatedoc I'll get back to you 7524 Rep 2,132 Posts Drives: blue streak Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: not downstate iTrader: (2)	we saved my middles cord blood, he's ten now. i think its about $200/year. small price to pay imo if it could save one of my boys life __________________ 2018 Stinger GT 2009 E90 N51 /Active Autowerke Stage 2 tune/BMW Performance Exhaust/ Countermeasure enthusiast.
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03-18-2019, 09:12 AM	#4
Clark_Kent Lieutenant Colonel 2324 Rep 1,920 Posts Drives: Retired Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	We banked blood and tissue for our first and only thus far. There were a couple of genetic disorders we wanted to account for and after learning more about the potential applications for both child (future siblings included) and parents, it made sense for us. I did not want to put our children's fate (or ours) in the hands of a public bank should we be afflicted with a covered disease. We opted to make the lump sum payment for 18 years. It ended up saving us a few thousand dollars. It's difficult to poll on something like this. At the end of the day, you have to do what you believe is in the best interest of your family. I'm not sure there's a right answer on this. Now, BMW Tire and Wheel Protection is a no brainer...hard pass on it all the time, every time.
	Appreciate 1 CANGRKE70817.50 Quote

03-18-2019, 09:21 AM	#5
King Rudi Lieutenant Colonel 13066 Rep 1,965 Posts Drives: Meat Suit Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (0)	I have to say this is the first I have heard of such a thing. I can see the benefits of doing such but it does seem like an insurance policy type scenario. You pay us in case something happens.....then again, it's a small price to pay in the event that it is needed. If it were me, I would pay it. Imagine the guilt you would carry as a parent in the event that it was needed and you didn't take advantage of this. On the opposite end imagine the resentment from your child that you could have potentially done something to save them and didn't. Congratulations btw!
	Appreciate 1 CANGRKE70817.50 Quote

03-18-2019, 10:13 AM	#6
lsturbointeg Lieutenant General 9258 Rep 14,531 Posts Drives: 2011 535i Jet Black Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Asian lost in OH iTrader: (0)	LOL! I have 3 kids who are in their 20's now but back than the Dr would snip part of it off and we currently have them in a photo album. isn't that how it's still done nowadays? edit: I noticed I miss the word "fluid" so never mind me lol I though you meant umbilical cord __________________ ~F90Conversion~21"3Piece Forged AvantGardeWheels~KWV1Coilovers~CQUENCE slotted/drilled rotors~GoodridgeStainlesslines~MeisterschaftQuadEx haust~Akrapovic 4"tips~VRSF DP~VRSF CP~TurboSmart BOV~K&N filter~CarbonFiberExteriorComponents~GladenAlphaCo mponents~MatchUp7BMW~Punch P300-12T~ Follow me on Instagram: lsturbointeg
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03-18-2019, 10:20 AM	#7
Colodano First Lieutenant 140 Rep 318 Posts Drives: 2010 X5M Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Co iTrader: (0)	We looked at it, and decided that since we didn't have anything in family history that was scary on either side, we would not do it. If we had tons of extra money laying around, we might have done it, oh well.
	Appreciate 1 CANGRKE70817.50 Quote

03-18-2019, 11:05 AM	#9
kscarrol Brigadier General 9965 Rep 4,145 Posts Drives: 2021 X3 M40i, 1974 2002 Tii Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Greenville, SC iTrader: (0)	This was relatively new when ours were born almost 20 years ago. We passed just given the expense. As another pointed out that maybe if there was some family history of a disease where you might need the stem cells, maybe then. But I didn't do it and voted no. And congratulations on the baby! Hope delivery goes smoothly! __________________ 2021 X3 M40i 1974 2002tii, Inka, 5 sp manual BMWCCA # 327475
	Appreciate 1 CANGRKE70817.50 Quote

03-18-2019, 12:17 PM	#10
Joekerr Banned 7943 Rep 1,923 Posts Drives: 2017 Audi S6 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	From a fellow Canuck, we did it. Saw it mostly as an insurance policy type thing, and while I hate insurance, it was something that could potentially make a huge difference for my sons. Part of what helped us decide was one of my wife's friends had her son (and this woman is a doctor, speaks the medical lingo, knows signs to look for, etc), anyways, her son developed some sort of condition (can't remember what) at about 18 months. Looked fine at birth and all, and she didn't even really notice anything, it was her friends who told her that she should really get her son checked out. Anyways, it was the cord blood that wound up basically saving this kids life. He's completely normal and healthy again and they were pretty happy they had made the decision to save it. So you never know - better to have it and not need it and to not have it and need it. We used Cells for life, but there really are so many providers out there.
	Appreciate 1 CANGRKE70817.50 Quote

03-18-2019, 01:31 PM	#13
infinitekidM2C Major General 4301 Rep 5,729 Posts Drives: 2019 M2 Competition Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2019 M2 COMPETITION [9.75] 2008 135i (my old car) [7.56]	First of all Congratulations brother. Nicely done to make the "basket." Ok so as a new parent keep your ears perked for all the crap they will try to sell you. Keep asking about everything from people you know with kids because otherwise you'll spend all sorts of money on bs. As for the cord blood, i didnt but i'd look into the effectiveness before i'd shell out that kind of money. Don't do it.
	Appreciate 1 CANGRKE70817.50 Quote