Cord Blood Collection
Cord blood can be collected for a cord blood bank usually by two methods: syringe or bag. Cord blood is collected immediately after birth and after the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut. The physician or caretaker is usually the person that will be collecting the specimen.
Cord blood collection usually takes no longer than five minutes, and is completely safe to mother and baby. Since the cord is clamped and cut, neither mother nor baby will feel any pain.
Cord blood can also be collected after a c-section, from the umbilical cord itself, or from the placenta if needed. The more cord blood that is collected, the more stem cells are collected as well, so getting as much cord blood collected as possible is always a great idea.
Under normal circumstances, the umbilical cord and its cord blood would routinely be thrown away. With cord blood banking, the family can either store it in a private bank, or have it collected for public donation.
Updated: June 2011
