what happens - cord blood procedures - collection
Immediately after the birth of your baby (either by vaginal delivery or by caesarian section) the umbilical cord is clamped and cut in the normal manner separating the baby from the placenta and mother. The placenta is typically delivered a few minutes later. The portion of the umbilical cord still attached to the placenta is cleaned. A needle is then inserted into the umbilical vein and the placental blood is drawn, by gravity flow, into a sterile blood collection bag containing anti-coagulant to prevent the blood from clotting. The collection process is non-invasive, completely painless and does not present any risks to either mother or baby. Blood can also be collected prior to the delivery of the placenta. In such cases, the placental blood yield is often greater as the placenta continues to pulsate during the collection process facilitating blood flow. A maternal blood sample is also drawn for infectious disease testing.
The cord blood is collected into a sterile collection bag.
The collected cord blood and the maternal blood sample are placed in a temperature controlled shipping container and sealed. A courier will then be advised that there is a sample awaiting collection. The courier is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to pick up the Cord Blood sample. Your baby's cord blood sample will then be shipped (by air if interstate) to our processing laboratory in Sydney for processing, pathology testing and freezing at the ultra low temperatures required for the long-term storage of the cord blood.