Collecting the Cord Blood | Bedomaich Chayi

Collecting the cord blood is done in the hospital by a trained 'collector' or the midwifes or doctors of the delivery team.
 

A complete kit which contains everything that's needed for collection is opened for every mother who has requested to donate cord blood. All relevant items are labeled with their own barcode to prevent any mistakes. Special kits are available for cord blood collection in the case of surgery or uncomplicated twin births. Before the collection is begun, the 'collector' must ascertain that all personal details were filled in and signed on the forms and that all criteria have been met. After the collection, all birth details are noted (time, weight, age, sex and more) and everything is once again checked over before being sent to the lab.
 

Step by Step collection:

     1. Upon admittance to the maternity ward, two test tubes of blood are drawn from the mother. As in every blood donation, the blood must be tested to ensure that it's clean from any infection. Generally, the blood is drawn when the IV line is inserted during the admissions procedure so no further "sticking" is involved.
     2. After birth and the cutting of the umbilical cord – a process which takes place regularly as in every birth - the 'collector' spreads a disposable sheet on the bed upon which she places a sterile bag for the collection of the cord blood.
     3. The umbilical cord is wiped down with a gauze pad and carefully sterilized in preparation for collection. A needle, connected to the sterile bag by a long tube is then inserted into the cord and the blood flows into the bag.  Obviously, neither the mother nor the baby feel a thing.
     4. A special substance is present in the bag to prevent clotting. After all the blood is collected, the pipe is closed and sealed.  The needle is then taken out and the cord and then cut off and discarded in the special medical bin for the usual hospital disposal.
     5.  The 'collector' then fills in all the collection details on the form, writes identifying details on the collection bag.  He or she then places the bag into another sealed bag which is stored in a special ice chest which monitors the temperature until the blood reaches the laboratory. Deliveries are made at least once a day.
     6. Copies of the collection form are given to the mother who can contact us with questions or concerns at any time. The newborn remains under supervision until he or she is discharge from the hospital. In case of any problem arising which can affect the collected cord blood, the Bedomaich Chayi staff is notified.
     7. A certified Bedomaich Chayi nurse contacts the mother to verify her permission for the donation and to fill out another medical form. After another period of time, we will again contact the mother to ask after the welfare of the baby. The mother is requested to contact Bedomaich Chayi in the event that any medical issue, which can affect the cord blood donation, crops up.
 

Answers to Frequently Asked Question:

• The harvesting process takes between 5-7 minutes and, of course, doesn't interfere with the regular birthing process in any way.
• Collected blood is typically between 70-120 m"l.
• Only a third of collected cord blood units are found suitable for freezing in accordance with the accepted standards of cord blood public banks. (For more information, see: Preserving the Cord Blood and Criteria for Donating Cord Blood)
• Past donors report that they generally weren't even aware of the presence of the 'collector' in the delivery room. Mothers tell us about the good feelings they have at being a partner in this important work.
• If the cord blood is not donated, it will be thrown away along with the umbilical cord and the placenta. It has no other use.
• All Bedomaich Chayi 'collectors' and hospital midwifes where our organization operates have undergone extensive training in the collecting process. We insist on full cooperation with the mother and work under the supervision of the nursing and professional hospital staff.