Collection Procedure

You will be provided with a temperature controlled cord blood collection kit with detailed instructions before your baby's birth.
 
Collection of your baby's stem cells takes place in the minutes after birth, when the baby has been safely separated from the umbilical cord.  Ideally collection occurs while the placenta is in sitll but can also be done after the delivery of the placenta.
 
Your doctor or midwife will insert the needle from the collection kit into the umbilical cord and the cord blood (which would normally be thrown away) will flow naturally into the bag. The entire procedure takes less than five minutes and does not affect mother or baby.
 
A minimum sample of 60ml is needed for processing. The average sample size we receive is over 90ml.
 
As part of the collection process we also need to receive two maternal blood tests.
The first test can be done either 30 days prior, or up to 7 days after the birth. The test is then repeated 6 months later. We will arrange these tests for you and all costs are included in our service.
 
After the sample is collected by your doctor, you should keep the Collection Kit at the room temperature by the time Smart Cells consultants come to take it.

 
The most important is never to put your Collection Kit into the freezer or to try to cool it in any way!
 
The Collection Kit pack will contain:
 
1. A sterile blood collection bag with CPD A1 anticoagulant and 16G needle
2. Tube clamps to prevent leakage
3. Alcohol disinfectant tissues (4) and disinfectant
4. One sterile recipient for disinfectant
5. Latex free non-woven balls (for use with disinfectant)
6. An absorbent cloth (obligatory for transport)

 
We will also provide the following for your healthcare professional, to help them in the collection process:
 
1. Step-by-step collection procedure instructions
2. A pictorial representation of the collection procedure
3. A CD-Rom with a video of the collection is also available upon request.

 
It is advisable to order your collection kit in plenty of time before your due date, however an express service is also available and we will do everything to assure it.