The blood that remains in the placenta and umbilical cord following the birth of a child is called cord blood. Till now, it was discarded but recent studies have established its medical importance. So, would-be parents are getting recommendations from medical professionals that they should think about cord blood collection, in India too.

Why Cord Blood Collection?

Cord blood, because of being rich in stem cells, can save the child's life from as many as 75 serious ailments, and is especially useful in case of transplants generally administered while treating diseases like haemophilia, thalassaemia, blood cancer and immunity related genetic disorders. Stem cells are transformed into other cell types within the body to make up for their loss or deficiency. Cord blood preservation provides a type of health insurance to the child. The preserved stem cells of a child may treat many diseases of the parent also, and hence become a ‘lifeline’ for the entire immediate family.

What is the Umbilical Cord Blood Collection Process? Is it Safe?

Umbilical cord blood collection process is very simple, painless and safe. The whole process takes less than five minutes and doesn’t need any specifically trained medical professional. Existing health care provider can do it easily.

Is it possible for C-Section Deliveries?

The process of umbilical cord blood collection is not related with kind of delivery so it can be done in both- normal (vaginal) delivery or cesarean. Fully sterile cord blood collection kits to be used in c-sections are also available.

Umbilical cord blood collection can be done in two ways:

-Syringe method: In this method, a syringe is used for extraction of blood from umbilical cord just after umbilical cord is cut just like we extract blood for blood test.

-Bag method: In this method, instead of using syringe to extract blood, umbilical cord is raised up to let the blood drain in a bag.

The syringe or bags are pre-labeled with a particular code representing your baby. The complete umbilical cord blood collection process takes around 5 minutes. Cord blood may be collected within first 15 minutes after the birth and the collected cells should be processed in the laboratory within 48 hours. Larger stem cell sample means better survival rate during transplant treatment process.

Is there any risk for child during collection?

Some people think that umbilical cord blood collection may affect child’s growth or resistance power. But it is purely a myth. The process doesn’t require any alteration in the delivery process and possesses no threat or problem to the mother and child. Parents with a medical history of cancer, hepatitis, malaria, diabetes and HIV/AIDS etc are not eligible.

Do we need to give prior intimation to the Drs. for collection?