Methods of Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells
Collecting cord blood stem cells is not at all harmful to the mother or the infant donor. Umbilical cord blood is collected immediately after delivery. However, it is important to note, if there are any complications in delivery, there is a chance that your medical caregiver will be unable to collect a specimen of cord blood stem cells.
When collecting cord blood stem cells, the umbilical cord is clamped after birth. This breaks the link between the baby and placenta. After this, the trained medical staff drains the cord blood from the placenta and umbilical cord. There are different ways for collecting cord blood stem cells, but all have the same purpose.
A needle is usually used for collecting cord blood stem cells into a blood bag, and this procedure takes approximately five minutes. Many companies have different methods of collecting cord blood. Most companies today use the gravity bag collection system. Some companies still use the syringe method and many public banks continue to use this method. The collection style can also be determined based upon the type of delivery, vaginal delivery or cesarean section. Whichever the method, the mother’s cord blood is collected first using a venipuncture.
Colleting cord blood stem cells takes place after birth in both methods using a specific, pre-ordered kit from their chosen cord blood bank. It is only after the baby is safely delivered that cord blood is collected. The amount of blood collected during the procedure is essential as there is a direct correlation between the volume collected and the number of critical stem cells that can be recovered.
After the harvesting of cord blood stem cells, the blood is then shipped overnight taken to the cord blood bank. Research has shown that optimal cell levels can be recovered within 24-28 hours after the delivery of the baby. It is here that the cord blood specimen should be processed, tested and cryogenically stored in quarantine until infectious disease test results received. A cord blood company should be using a barcode system to avoid identification errors. After this, when required, blood forming stem cells are thawed and used either in autologous or allogeneic procedures.
In autologous procedures, a person receives his or her own cord blood in a transplant, while in allogeneic procedures, a person receives cord blood that is donated from someone else like a sibling, close relative or someone anonymous. So, you can see that there are many benefits to collecting cord blood stem cells; this blood can save not only the donor, but also others from many life threatening diseases.