How Is Umbilical Cord Blood Collected?

Before Delivery

Parents arrange in advance for cord blood collection by registering with a cord registry or bank. If collecting cord blood for donation, parents will need to register at least 90 days in advance with a public bank, and make sure their hospital is serviced by that bank. Additionally, both parents will need to complete paperwork and extensive health screening (including HIV testing) prior to donation.
If using a private bank, parents will need to make arrangements by the 34th week, although the health screening may not be as extensive.
Whether public or private, the bank will provide the parents with the collection kit, and it is the parents' responsibility to bring the kit to the hospital on the day of the delivery.

There are two methods of cord blood collection: the syringe method and the bag method.
With the syringe method, the umbilicus is clamped and cut away from the newborn. Then blood is drawn from the umbilical vein with a syringe. The syringe is treated with an anticoagulant to prevent clotting. The syringe method is performed before or after the placenta is delivered. Blood is also collected from the vessels in the placenta.
The bag method works like an IV in reverse. A needle is inserted into the umbilical vein, then the umbilical cord is upended and the blood drains into a special bag. The bag method is performed before the placenta is delivered and blood is not collected from the placenta.
The syringe method collects more blood and is considered the more reliable process.

Cord blood is collected in both vaginal and cesarean births. However, because the cesarean is a surgical procedure, there are different concerns about the health and condition of the mother. Cesarean delivery also produces less cord blood, which can be problematic, because the goal is to collect as much cord blood as possible. The more cord blood, the more stem cells, and the greater the chance of success if those cells ever need to be used.

After collection, the cord blood is packaged and sent to the bank by courier. Depending on the bank, there may be a 24-hour hot line to arrange pickup. The blood needs to be collected within the first 15 minutes of delivery and delivered to the bank within 48 hours, so the courier service should be contacted as soon as possible. Once the blood reaches the bank, it is labeled, cataloged, cryogenically frozen and stored for future use.