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"...scientists can develop new therapies to tackle brain and spinal cord repair, Alzheimer's and other degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's"
Tony Blair - British Ex-Prime Minister
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How is the collection done?
A blood collection kit is issued to new mum long before she goes into labour. This enables the midwife, or doctor, to assist by extracting blood from the cord, after the baby is safely delivered. Between 60ml and 100ml of blood needs to be collected from the cord, and is frozen within 72 hours. It takes on average about three minutes does not harm mum or baby. The umbilical cord is simply pricked, and the blood flows into a normal blood bag.
Do you contact the labour and delivery staff for us?
We spend much of our time contacting hospitals and visiting maternity units training hospital staff. However, we cannot keep track of all the different policies that hospitals have, in terms of the cord blood collection. Therefore, it is the parents' responsibility to find out if their hospital's staff will be involved in the collection of the cord blood.
We are happy to provide information and training material whenever requested.
Do you suggest we collect the cord blood before or after delivery of the placenta?
We suggest that the cord blood is taken before the delivery of the placenta; however, both methods are routinely used, and the volumes collected are comparable.
What collection method do you use?
We use a standard blood collection bag with vacuum suction to draw the blood from the cord.
What storage containers do you use, vials or a bag?
Bags
What is the difference between vials and bags? Is it better to store in one or the others?
There is no difference to the sample itself. The vial and bag are just storage media and have no influence on the quality of the sample.
What equipment is provided in the kit for the midwife/consultant, and are there any spares?
- A sterile blood collection bag with CPD anticoagulant and 16G needle
- Alcohol disinfectant tissues (4) and disinfectant
- One sterile recipient for disinfectant
- Latex free non-woven balls (used with disinfectant)
- An absorbent cloth (obligatory for transport)
What instruction tools are provided for the midwife/consultant?
- A set-by-set collection procedure
- A pictorial representation of the collection procedure
- A CD-ROM with a video of the collection, available upon request.
Who actually does the collection?
Ideally, your midwife or consultant will perform the procedure.
In some cases, the father/partner may need to get more involved, and collects the cells himself.
What volume of blood needs to be taken?
We generally ask for a minimum of 60 ml of blood to be collected.
It is possible to test a smaller sample, but the likeliness of attaining a sufficient sample is smaller.
What is the average amount of blood you have received?
- The average is around 85ml
- Smallest (with success) 50ml - largest 200 ml
What do I do with the sample after collection?
Have someone call DHL to arrange a pick-up at the hospital or home if it is a home birth.
Should I put it in the refrigerator?
Never put the sample in the fridge or freezer. This will cause the blood to start clotting. Always keep the sample at room temperature until DHL arrives. The temperature controlled packaging that we provide will keep the sample ambient throughout travel.
Are there enough stem cells in the cord blood for treatment?
The amount of cells necessary is proportional to the weight of the patient, so the chance is better for a child than for an adult. Amplification is being tested now, so we will be able to grow your sample before the transplant.
Can the blood be collected from the umbilical cord when it is cut already?
Yes, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut in the same manner, as it would be for normal delivery.
Is it also possible to collect the cord blood when the delivery is taking place at home?
Of course, but you have to give your midwife a set of the Umbilical Cord Blood Collection Instructions at your next prenatal visit for their review.
Can I have my sample collected if I have a water birth?
Yes, because once the baby is born, mum delivers the placenta on the ground. Ie, she is not in the birth pool any longer.
What happens if my partner/husband has to do the collection?
He/she can do it with the support and training provide by Smart Cells, and also the midwife present.
The placenta is the property of the mother, so once it is delivered, the person that the mum elects, has every right to take the sample. This however, should be the last resort. Further help and support in this case can be obtained from the necessary personnel at Smart Cells.
What happens if I have a C-section?
In this case, the ideal time to take the collection of the sample would be only following the removal of the placenta.
A c-section does not stop the collection at all.
Can any drugs affect the sample?
No, no drugs such as Syntometrine or Syntocinon, which are common in labour, will affect the sample.
Does cord clamping have to be done earlier than normal for the collection of umbilical cord blood stem cells?
No, early or late clamping does not affect the successful volume and viability of the sample taken.
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