Singapore Cord Blood Bank (SCBB)

Back in 2008, I decided to donate my daughter's cord blood to the public bank. 4 years later, I made the same decision as I strongly believe the stem cells would have a better use to save lives of Asians who need stem cells for their medical treatment.

I called SCBB last week. The lady over the phone did a mini interview on the phone. After passing the phone interview, an appointment was fixed to meet a SCBB staff to complete the paperwork. The paperwork includes more indept questions which includes intercourse history (LOL!), medical history of mother, father and their parents.

There was some clarifications that i made with the SCBB staff:
1. All donors will recieve a "Thank you" card from SCBB
2. The donated blood is weighed and counts are made. Pass this stage and a information letter from SCBB will be enclosed in the "Thank you" card.
3. Further to the above, if you/hubby recieves a call from SCBB asking about the baby health when baby is 6 mths old and 1 year old, it means the cord blood is banked.
4. After the 2 calls, SCBB will then process the donated cordblood for DNA profiling and have it available for patients who need it. ;)

I sure hope that my #2 one will also be banked! ;) After passing the meetup interview, you will get 2 sets of document (one being the agreement and one to bring to the hospital when you are delivering).

The most memorable gynae visit (so far)...

Today marks the last monthly visit to the gynae and back to the bi-weekly visits till birth day. ;)

During the next visit at week 32, the clinic is going to collect the delivery fee! The heat is turned up further as the hospital has sent me a "pre-admission" form.

I am still as cool as a cucumber- baby clothes, breast pump and almost everything else is still in the store room. Nothing is washed/dried. Newborn diapers are still on the supermarket shelves... I wonder if that's how mummies prepare for their subsequent births! LOL!

Complained to my gynae about my cough that has been persisting for the last 2 weeks. The green phelgm is gone and I am super glad that I didnt need to take the GP prescribed anti-b. However, the persistent cough gave me the most memorable pressie this afternoon. After a hearty, fulfiling lunch of prawn noodles and ngoh hiang which I craved for, we headed to Vivo to get my lozenges. While in the carpark, a burp came up together with that cough. The unfortunate combination triggered a small "merlion" event. As hubby was shocked and concerned, my subsequent coughs triggered two larger "merlion" cycles. I think I was in shock too - trying to not ruin the car (too late) and was unable to puke outside the car (as i was still buckled). *roll eyes* To my horror, my face and eyes were all red and teary (yeah i look drunk alright) from the coughing and lack of air caused by the puking episode. Actually, I had two similar mini accidents prior to this. Now, i'm so freaked out, I have a plastic bag on the ready...

Also, asked my gyane whether "baby bump vibrations" were normal... During week 26-28, I felt my baby bump/baby vibrate. It was queer- like having swollowed a vibrating mobile phone. It was a "cute" but worrying sensation since common descriptions are usually flutters or bumps and kicks from the inside. Gynae laughed and confirmed that it's normal as the baby is having some natural reactions (like a shiver up the spine type of reaction some kids have while/after pee-ing).

Having decided to donate my #2's cordblood to SCBB again, I sought my gynae's support in collecting it after delivery. I will have to call SCBB after week 32 of my preganancy to get the paperwork done. ;) It's always better to donate than discard, since it could help save someone's life.

Other updates would include my suprising (under?) weight gain (only 5kg so far). Tummy size is normal (1cm per week progressed). Baby is still head up but gynae says it's ok since there is still some time to go. Ending off this post with a "spine" ultrasound photo which gynae took. :p Can tell?

Yeapie!!!

This will be my shortest post ever! Today, my hubby recieved a call from the Singapore Cord Blood Bank (SCBB)! During my 2nd trimester, I had decided to donate instead of store my little girl's cord blood. Instead of throwing it away, my gynae, Dr Paul Tseng will harvest the cord blood. Of course, I had to also donate a little of my blood for some test.

During the sign up, the lady (I think her name is Doreen or Esther) had already told me that she will give me a call when my girl is six months should the cord blood be banked successfully. A fellow mother on the SMH had actually told me that once we recieve the "thank you" card from SCBB it means that the cord blood is not banked. Well apparently, it isn't true!

Coincidentally, I had picked up a SCBB brochure yesterday when I sent my nephew to see Dr Ang Ai Tin. So, I am over-joyed to hear the news because:

a. It means that the cord blood was successfully donated (was not a waste of my gynae's effort)

b. The cord blood meets the stringent international standards (in terms of stem cell count)

c. The cord blood may be used to save another person's life!

The lady said she will call me back again when my little girl is 1 year old. :) If so, it means that the cord blood is still being banked and has not been used!

Anyway here are some more photos which were sent to me by Juzyounme from SMH Dec 08 thread. Enjoy!