Have questions on cord blood banking? CORDSAVINGS the leading and most trusted Swiss Stem Cell Bank has answers
Is umbilical cord blood collection dangerous for my baby and me ?
No, there is no risk for the mother or the child in umbilical cord blood collection at birth. It is completely painless and safe for the mother and the child :
- Because the blood is collected after delivery and after the cord is cut.
- There is no blood loss for the baby because the procedure for "cutting the cord" doesn't change in any way. It is done at the best moment for the newborn by the midwife or gynaecologist.
- The quantity collected is what remains in the cord and placenta (approximately 100 ml) after separating the child from the mother and cutting the cord, which is normally thrown out as operating room waste after delivery.
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For further information:
Precisely how and when is cord blood collection carried out ?
After birth, the midwife or gynaecologist stops blood circulation in the cord by placing 2 clamps a few centimetres apart. The cord (which contains 3 blood vessels) is cut between these 2 clamps. This separates the child from the mother. One clamp remains on the cord on the baby's side and the other remains on the cord on the side of the placenta and is removed with the placenta during delivery. A venipuncture is then carried out on the cord on the placenta side and the residual cord and placenta blood is collected by gravity in a pouch.
For further information:
Is cord blood collection still possible if I have a premature delivery ?
Yes, as of the 34th week of pregnancy. But regardless of the situation, collection is always only carried out on evaluation by the practitioner.
What are "Stem Cells" ?
There are different types of stem cells. Haematopoietic stem cells are adult blood stem cells. When the body needs to renew red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, which are the cellular components of blood, stem cells multiply and transform into one of these specific elements.
Can I preserve cord tissue at CordSavings ?
Yes, CordSavings provides the possibility to preserve cord tissue which is well known for its richness in a very promising category of stem cells (mesenchymatous cells), but present in low quantities in cord blood.
For further information on Cord Tissue storage potential interests:
Which diseases can be cured by transfusions of haematopoietic stem cells ?
A haematopoietic stem cell transplant is often the last chance for patients suffering from serious haematopoietic system diseases.
Here is a list (non-exhaustive) of diseases for which a blood stem cell transplant can be indicated:
- Acute (AML) or chronic (CML) myeloid leukaemia
- Acute (ALL) or chronic (CLL) lymphocytic leukaemia
- Myelodysplasic syndrome (MDS)
- Hodgkin's (HL) or non-Hodgkin's (NHL) lymphoma
- Plasmocytoma / Multiple myeloma
- Polycythemia vera
- Osteomyelofibrosis
- Severe aplastic anaemia
- Sickle-cell anaemia
- Fanconi's anaemia
- Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH)
- Thalassemia major
- Primary and acquired immunodeficiency (e.g. severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID))
For further information:
Private Biobank - Family stem cell banking
My gynaecologist is against cord blood preservation. What can I do ?
Let your gynaecologist know that you find this surprising.
Especially since on their website, the Swiss Federal Office for Public Health (SFOPH) informs the public that parents have the possibility to consult a private bank to store stem cell units extracted from umbilical cord blood, for use in the event that their child contracts a disease later in life.
Do you require that serological tests are repeated on the mother a few months after birth like some of your competitors ?
No. At CordSavings you benefit from the best laboratory services currently available (comprehensive PCR analysis conducted in a Swiss Red Cross laboratory). Therefore, it is no longer necessary to test the mother's blood again 6 months after she gives birth.