Cord Blood Storage

The procedure of cord blood storage starts from its collection. For the collection of cord blood, two methods are used to collect cord blood from umbilical vein-

• In utero- Before the placenta is delivered
• Ex utero- After the placenta is delivered

In in-utero cord blood collection method the blood is collected after the baby has been delivered (i.e. after the birth of baby) but before the delivery of placenta. The procedure starts from un clamping of umbilical cord is clamped off from the new fetal, then the placenta is placed in sterile supporting structure with the umbilical cord hanging through the support. Through gravity drainage yielding cord blood is collected, normally its amount is 40-150 ml.

Same is in the ex-utero cord blood collection method; the only difference is; after the delivery of placenta cord blood is collected.

After the collection process there is need of shipping to cord blood bank instantly. The professionals of cord blood bank before storage check the blood for infectious agents and then tissue type is determined. Now the process of cord blood storage starts, but before storage cord blood is processed red blood cells are depleted out form blood. After this cord blood is stored in liquid nitrogen.

Parents who are looking for cord blood storage have only two options, either they go for a public blood bank (donate cord blood) or go for private blood bank. The private blood bank charges some fee for the storage of cord blood and also charge for the collection process. The approximately cost for cord blood collection is $2000 and the storage charge is $125/year.