Collecting Cord Blood

Practical Points for Collecting Cord Blood

1. Obtain Informed Content
2. Cord Blood Collection Kit
1. If delivery is vaginal, obtain blood while the placenta is still in the mother(3rd stage of delivery)
2. Identify and cannulate the umbilical vein with the needle coonected to cord blood bag provided in the kit- Image
3. Fill blood bag by gravity. It usually takes 1-2 minutes but may sometimes take up to 3-5 minutes- Image 1, Image 2
4. Cord Blood Collection Tips
   • Collect as early as possible after clamping cord (blood clots!)
   • Position needle in umbilical vein, can reposition if minimal blood flow
   • Expect about 40-120ml
   • The more blood collected, the better it is.