How is umbilical cord blood collected?

Collecting umbilical cord blood involves the steps outlined below:

1. Delivery and Clamping: After the baby is delivered, the umbilical cord gets clamped to prevent excessive blood loss. The clamping usually happens within the first 30-60 seconds.

2. Disinfection: The area around the umbilical cord is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to minimize the risk of contamination.

3. Preparing for Collection: A sterile collection bag or container is attached to the umbilical cord. This bag has an anticoagulant to prevent the blood from clotting during collection.

4. Gravity-Based Collection: The collection bag is positioned below the level of the placenta, allowing the blood to flow into the bag due to gravity. This collection method is simple and does not require any additional equipment.

5. Assisted or Pressure-Assisted Collection: In cases where the blood flow from the placenta is slower, a gentler method may be used. This can involve gently milking or squeezing the umbilical cord to facilitate the flow of blood into the collection bag.

6. Bag Disconnection: Once an adequate volume of blood has been collected (typically between 50 to 150 milliliters), the collection bag is disconnected from the umbilical cord.

7. Cord Separation: The umbilical cord is then clamped again closer to the baby's body, and the remaining portion of the cord is cut, separating the baby and the placenta completely.

8. Labelling and Storage: The collected blood in the bag is carefully labelled with the baby's identification information, date, and time of collection. The bag is then properly stored and transported to a designated laboratory for further processing and preservation.

It's important to note that umbilical cord blood collection is typically done by trained medical professionals, such as obstetricians or midwives, who are experienced in this procedure to ensure the safety and well-being of both the mother and the baby.