What Is The Process Of Storing Umbilical Cord Blood After Birth?

Storage of the umbilical cord blood is a very recent procedure. After the delivery of a baby, the blood from the umbilical cord and placenta is collected and processed. After the process is completed in the laboratory, the blood is sent to be stored at a blood bank, and can be retrieved by the owners if required. Storing the umbilical cord blood after birth is a simple procedure with many benefits. The cord blood is rich in stem cells, which can be used to cure round about seventy different types of diseases, out of which the most important being childhood cancers.

 The benefits of this procedure were little known before the 70s. Now that the benefits of storing umbilical cord blood after birth are widely known, parents are opting for this simple procedure to ensure a better and protected future for their child. Even though the process sounds complicated it is not at all difficult. Your obstetrician can easily store the cord blood which requires a special kit to successfully collect and store the blood.

So if you are interested in storing the umbilical cord blood after the birth of your child then let your obstetrician know before the delivery is due. The process is totally safe for the mother and child. There are different ways of collecting and storing the umbilical cord blood, and can carried out in both types of deliveries, within 10 minutes of the delivery. If the baby is delivered the vaginal delivery method, then one end of the umbilical cord is kept unclamped, and the blood is collected by means of a small tube which is passed into the umbilical vein.  Another method includes raising the umbilical cord, and allowing the blood to drain into the bag.

Blood can also be collected from the placenta, by inserting needles from the sides of placenta that was attached to the fetus. After the procedure reaches completion point, the blood is then stored and sent to the laboratory to be tested for any kind of infection. After being tested, the blood is then separated from the stem cells, which are frozen in liquid nitrogen, and stored in the cord-blood bank. Each sample has an identifying number to avoid any mix ups. Storing umbilical cord blood after birth does not interfere in the delivery, and is totally safe.