Collecting cord blood stem cells has become a common practice in modern medicine and can be addressed by the OBGYN as the expectant mom during the first trimester of pregnancy. If you’re an expectant mom, undoubtedly health and wellness for you and baby are at the very top of your priority list, as it should be. When thinking about talking to your doctor or midwife about collecting cord blood stem cells, it’s understandable that you have many details on your mind. However, the life saving process of collecting cord blood stem cells is one of the most important contributions you and your baby can make to your family.

The Ease of Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

First off – what does collecting cord blood stem cells entail? At the time of birth there is a golden opportunity to capture and harvest one of the human body’s truly restorative assets – stem cells from the umbilical cord blood. This blood has a particularly high density of a special type of blood cell, known as a hematopoietic cell, and in fact millions of cells are gathered in just 75 milliliters (about 1/3 of a cup), which is the average draw from the umbilical cord. This blood is transported to a lab and is frozen to the temperature of -190 degrees. These rich blood cells are frozen immediately in a cryogenic state.

If you are getting a little uncomfortable at the thought of an additional procedure, relax. Collecting cord blood stem cells is a painless process, and one that doesn’t interrupt or interfere with the baby’s delivery in any way. So take a moment to consider additional details about why collecting cord blood stem cells is such a life enhancing procedure.

What are stem cells?

In short, stem cells are the key components within the body for generating all other tissues, organs and systems in the body. Isn’t that remarkable? Stem cells in cord blood are the building blocks of the blood coursing through our veins and immune system. These cells are highly adaptable and can readily replicate into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. That’s why collecting cord blood stem cells is so vital.

Red blood cells are important because they carry oxygen to all the cells in the body; white blood cells are responsible for fighting infection; and platelets aid in clotting when you’re injured. With these prime components set aside for use at a later time, doctors (using stem cells) are able to help the body recover from diseases like leukemia, breast cancer, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s Disease, Aplastic Anemia, Sickle Cell Anemia, various cancers, blood diseases, hereditary/genetic conditions and immune system disorders.

Important key points to remember concerning collecting cord blood stem cells, are first, the process of collecting cord blood stem cells is simple, second, the stem cells are key ingredients for generating all other tissues, organs and systems in the body; and third, their use is valuable in treating a litany of diseases.

Whether you have decided to store your baby’s cord blood at a private storage bank or whether you have decided to donate your newborn’s cord blood, there are some steps you need to take before your bundle of joy is due.   Researching private blood storage banks and finding out if your hospital participates in any donor programs should be added to an expectant parent’s to do list before the 30th week. 
 
Whether you are storing or donating, you must make sure to receive the cord blood collection kit from the chosen cord blood bank.  If you are storing your newborn’s blood privately, you will be charged for this service.  If you are donating your baby’s blood, some hospitals might already keep a cord blood collection kit on hand, so may not have to bring one with you to your delivery.  

With a normal vaginal delivery, the cord blood is collected before the placenta is delivered.   The umbilical cord is clamped on both sides and then an experienced obstetrician or a nurse will unclamp one side of the umbilical cord and insert either a small tube or a small needle into the umbilical vein to collect the blood.  Other times, the blood is dripped into either a vial or a special collection bag.   After this is collected, a needle could also be placed into the placenta to collect more blood and cells.  These cells will be in their own containers and properly identified. 

During a cesarean or C-section birth, the collection process is a little more complicated but still causes no pain to the mother or to the baby.   During C-sections, a doctor’s main focus is the mother and baby.  After all, this is a major surgery and there are a number of complications that can arise.   It is only after the baby has been safely delivered, along with the placenta and the mother’s uterus has been sutured that the cord blood can be collected.   Usually though less blood is collected when the baby is delivered via C-section.   That can sometimes be a problem, because less blood collected also means fewer stem cells collected and stored.   Some doctors feel that there is too big of a risk of contamination by collecting cord blood after a C-section, but for the most part most public and private cord storage banks have taken the proper steps to reduce the risk of contamination by providing sterile kit components.

Stem cells are precursor cells that can differentiate into mature and specialized adult cells of different types. Stem cells are very helpful in the treatment of various diseases of blood and immune system origin, including many cancers.

Adult stem cells can be obtained from bone marrow and from the cord blood (blood in the umbilical cord at the time of delivery of the child) and the placenta (sac that holds the baby during pregnancy). The obtained cord blood and the placenta is then processed and preserved in liquid nitrogen to be used if the need arises at any point of time. The stored stem cells remain viable once preserved, for over 20 years.

Collecting the cord blood stem cells for preservation has to be planned well in advance before the delivery of the child. A stem cell bank is identified that is close to the place where the delivery is supposed to happen (unless courier service is arranged). Once such a bank has been found and all the initial formalities are completed, the cord blood bank must be contacted close to the time of the delivery (around 48 hours before) when blood from the mother is drawn and sent to test for any communicable diseases that may be present.

Collecting the cord blood stem cells is performed by the doctors delivering of the child. It is important to collect a sufficient amount of cord blood (around 75 ml at least) for it to contain an adequate amount of stem cells for preservation. The procedure of collecting the cord blood stem cells is conducted when the umbilical vein is still pulsating.

A special collection bag designed for the purpose of collecting the cord blood stem cells is used for this purpose. This bag has a connected needle at one end that is inserted into the umbilical vein, and the bag is lowered down to allow the cord blood to flow into the bag. This is held in place until enough blood has been collected in the bag. If the blood flow stops before adequate collection is complete, the needle is removed and re-inserted to resume the blood flow until the cord is totally devoid of any more blood after which the needle is removed.

Once the collection of the cord blood stem cells and the placenta is completed, the specialized containers are then transported in exact temperature conditions suited for this purpose to the cell bank where they are disinfected, processed, preservative added and then slowly cooled to reach a temperature of -190 degrees Celsius at which it is stored.

Collecting the cord blood stem cells is a very simple procedure that takes just around 2-5 minutes, but it is very important for the professional handling the cord blood to take care that they don’t contaminate the specimen as it may affect the viability and storage of the stem cells.

Many expectant mothers wish to donate their baby’s cord blood, but many are turned away due to strict qualifying regulations, underfunded facilities and lack of planning. Mothers who wish to donate their baby’s cord blood, should become familiar with the procedure used in collecting cord blood stem cells and begin making preparations today.
Public cord blood banks are severely underfunded and lack resources to store all of the cord blood that mothers try to donate each year. In fact, a mere 30% of mothers who wish to donate actually make it through the registration process and are able to make a donation. This is why most public cord blood banks urge mothers to make their interest to donate known before the 34th week of pregnancy. This allows plenty of time for the registration process and for plans to be put in place that will allow for a smooth donation process.
The first step needed if you wish to donate is to make sure that the hospital used for the birth is a participating hospital for collecting cord blood stem cells. If the hospital participates, you will need to talk with the obstetrician about setting up a donation. If your hospital is not familiar with collecting cord blood stem cells you can ask them if they are willing to work with a public cord blood bank. If so, the bank will walk them through all of the procedures that they need to know, but it will be up to you to find the bank and make the necessary connections.
Once you decide to donate, you will need to complete several registrations forms before the collection can occur. Keep in mind that there are many regulations when it comes to collecting cord blood stem cells and you may be turned down due to medical history or other factors.
After you have been approved for donation, a collection kit will be sent to you or the hospital where you will give birth. This collection kit must be used when collecting cord blood stem cells, and all instructions must be followed. If you are responsible for the kit, make sure that it is packed in your delivery bag or that a close family member is in charge of it. Remember: collection must occur within 15 minutes of the birth so it is vital that all mechanisms be in place before you go into the delivery room.
Collecting cord blood stem cells occurs after the umbilical cord is clamped so there is no pain experienced by the mother or the baby during the process. If you cannot find a public bank that is willing or able to accept your donation, you may opt to use a private bank. Most private banks charge $1,800 as a base fee and $100 – $125 per year for storage.

Stem cells are called progenitor cells i.e. cells whose division and differentiation help in formation of the mature adult cells. A broad classification includes stem cells of embryonic and adult types. Embryonic stem cells, as the name suggests, are present in a growing embryo; whereas adult stem cells are found in the bone marrow. Adult stem cells can also be found in the placenta and the blood found in the umbilical cord at the time of child birth.

As stem cell use has been successful in treating conditions including many cancers that were considered untreatable by other methods, there are scientific attempts to retain the stem cells viable for use in therapy.

Stem cells can be derived from the bone marrow but it has limited use because these stem cells are usually affected by the disorder from which the person is suffering. The alternative of obtaining the placenta and collecting cord blood stem cells can be done only when the child is born so many parents are resorting to preservation of stem cells at blood banks to facilitate future use if necessary.

Once the cord blood bank is identified and all initial procedures and paperwork is complete, the cord blood bank ships the client a cord blood collection kit, which the client brings with them at the time of delivery.  Drawing of the mother’s blood prior to the delivery and collection of the cord blood stem cells is done by the team performing the delivery of the child.

The entire process of collecting the cord blood stem cells and placenta is very simple and takes just 5 minutes. This process involves obtaining the cord blood through a vein in the umbilical cord called the umbilical vein.

Cord blood banks have specialized kits prepared for collecting the cord blood stem cells and the placenta. The bag for collecting the cord blood is connected through a needle inserted into the umbilical vein. As the bag is lowered, gravity allows the flow of blood into the bag. A minimum of around 75ml of cord blood is necessary for obtaining good quantity of active stem cells that can be used. If blood flow into the bag arrests before the entire umbilical cord is emptied or before a minimal quantity is obtained, the needle is removed and reinserted into the umbilical vein to obtain the desired quantity.

It is important to take precautions in avoiding contamination of the collected blood. After collecting the cord blood stem cells and the placenta, the medical staff uses specialized containers to transport the cord blood to the cord blood bank where it is again disinfected, processed and after addition of a cryopreservative, cooled slowly to reach a temperature of around -190 degrees, and be stored until such time as it is needed for any therapy, either for the child or for any other family members suffering from a disorder that can be treated with the collected stem cells.