Cord Blood Collections

What is Cord Blood?

The blood that flows through the placenta and umbilical cord contains high levels of stem cells, which can develop to become red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Collecting your baby’s cord blood, also known as cord blood banking, is a procedure during which blood rich with stem cells (10X more than blood marrow) is collected from the umbilical cord following delivery. It is then frozen and stored in a cord bank, and can be used for research or preserved for use in a possible stem cell transplant.

Why Collect Your Baby’s Cord Blood?

Cord blood is important because stem cells can be used as a treatment for many different diseases including cancers such a lymphoma and leukemia, inherited immune disorders, sickle cell disease and anemia, metabolic disorders, and other immune, neurological, or blood disorders. In other words, if your child or your child’s sibling needs treatment from any of these ailments in the future, cord blood stem cells may be able to be used for treatment.

Benefits of Cord Blood Banking

• Rich in hematopoietic stem cells, which can develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
• Applicable to blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, immune deficiencies, and genetic diseases.
• Easier to match and less likely to cause rejection compared to bone marrow stem cells.
• Rebuilds the immune system and supports recovery from serious illnesses through stem cell transplant.
• Supports ongoing blood banking research and the treatment of life-threatening diseases.

Preparing for Cord Blood Banking

If you’re considering banking cord blood, preparation starts early in your pregnancy. Inform your healthcare provider of your decision and complete the necessary forms from your chosen bank. Each option has different requirements and may involve an initial fee and annual storage fees, especially in private banks. Most banks will provide you with a cord blood collection kit, which you’ll bring to the hospital on delivery day.

Since cord blood can only be collected immediately after birth, it’s essential to plan ahead and choose a facility that partners with hospitals authorized to collect cord blood. Parents should also inform their bank about the family’s medical history, especially if they’re considering collecting cord blood for potential treatment of genetic disorders, blood disorders, or serious illnesses within the family.

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During Cord Blood Collection

In order to collect the cord blood, your doctor will clamp the umbilical cord after birth and then cut the cord. A needle is then used to collect the blood from the cord, which is sealed and sent to a lab or cord blood bank for testing and storage. This process is quick and is completely painless for both you and your baby.

There are also a couple of options for where the cord blood is stored. You can choose to send it to one of the following:

1. Public cord bank: These banks store cord blood that was donated to be used by a family in need. There are no fees charged.
2. Private cord blood bank: These are used to store the cord blood collected for use by your family only. They usually charge a fee.
3. Direct-donation bank: These are a combination of private and public banks. They store cord blood for public use and accept donations reserved for families. They do not usually charge any fees.

Overall, the cost of cord blood banking will vary depending on a number of factors. If you would like, we can speak with you regarding these options to help you make the decision that is right for you and your family.

Qualifications for Umbilical Cord Blood Banking

Not all pregnancies qualify for cord blood collection. Several medical and logistical factors determine whether your baby’s cord blood can be safely and effectively collected and stored, including:

• The ability to collect the umbilical cord blood immediately after birth.
• No signs of genetic or infectious diseases that could affect the quality of the cord blood stem cells.
• No significant pregnancy complications that might impact the collection process.
• An intact placenta and umbilical cord at the time of delivery.

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Welcome to my practice. Let me introduce myself and my practice philosophy. I am a board certified OB/GYN in practice for over 20 years and have been a solo-practitioner on the Upper East Side of Manhattan since 2000. All deliveries are performed at The Mount Sinai Medical Center where I went to medical school and at Lenox Hill Hospital.

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Post Cord Blood Collection Care

After your baby’s cord blood is collected, it is sealed, labeled, and transported to the designated lab or cord blood bank for processing and storage. At the lab, it undergoes testing to assess cell count, viability, and to screen for infections or genetic disorders. This ensures the cord blood stem cells meet the quality standards necessary for cord blood transplant or future clinical trials.

You won’t need to do anything after the cord blood collection is complete, but your bank may contact you with test results or confirmation of successful blood storage. If you’re using a private cord blood bank, you’ll be responsible for annual storage fees, while public banks and public cord blood donations are typically free of charge.

While there’s no immediate aftercare needed for you or your baby, keeping your bank’s contact information on hand and updating them with any changes to your family’s medical history can help ensure your baby’s cord blood is available and useful if ever needed for a stem cell transplant.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Learn More About Cord Blood Banking

Are you considering collecting your baby’s cord blood, or are seeking more information regarding cord blood banking for the future? If so, do not hesitate to reach out to our office or speak with Dr. Tepper during your appointment. We will be happy to go over the process as well as your options so you feel confident in your final decision.

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Whether you are a new or returning patient, Dr. Tepper can assess your concerns and discuss your options to find the most comfortable and convenient care for you. To get started, call our office to set up an appointment.

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