Umbilical cord blood is human blood from the placenta and umbilical cord that is rich in stem cells. Cord blood is collected after the umbilical cord has been detached from the newborn, and sometimes used as a source of stem cells for transplantation.
Cord blood can be stored by both public and private cord blood banks. Umbilical cord blood is currently used for marrow replacement in a variety of disorders. Two distinct methods of collection exist for banked umbilical cord blood.
The first method is to collect the blood after the placenta has been delivered. Because blood in the placenta and umbilical cord clots rapidly, ex utero cord blood collection is performed as soon as possible after delivery of the placenta, typically within 10 minutes. The second method is to collect cord blood during the third stage of labor after the baby, but before the placenta is delivered. This method has the possible advantage of the placenta being compressed by the uterus, allowing more blood to be collected. However, in utero cord blood collection takes place in an environment that is inherently subject to a greater risk of contaminating the cord blood during collection.
The training and reporting relationship for the two forms also vary: the after placental delivery method uses collectors trained and employed by the cord blood bank; the utero collections are performed by the delivery room staff, usually the obstetrician or midwife who is responsible for the delivery of the baby and the placenta.
Cord blood collection is performed by trained and responsible healthcare providers. These providers take special courses of educational and practical resources in order to provide effective collection. The most effective and safe methods are used when dealing with the syringes or other containers in order to avoid contamination. Collection has been available for any family since 1995 and is very safe.
