NIH Sickle Cell Cord Blood Research Program

How is the cord blood collected?

Once the placenta is delivered it is placed in a basin with a clamp or hemostat on the cut end of the cord. The basin is immediately handed to the collector who brings it to the collection station. (It is very important to obtain the cord blood from the cord/placenta within minutes of delivery.)The collection station is a clean area either in the labor room or very close to it. The placenta is placed in the collection stand, which allows the umbilical cord to hang freely beneath it. The collection specialist cleans the surface of the umbilical cord and inserts a needle attached to a collection bag into the umbilical vein of the cord. The blood drains into the bag and mixes with a solution that keeps the blood from clotting. Once the cord and placenta are drained the needle is removed from the cord, the bag’s tubing is sealed and cut, and the needles are disposed of properly.