IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Delayed Cord blood collection after birth – written by Dr J Pepler

I have followed up on my statement pertaining to the clotting of the blood after the placenta has been delivered. If the cord stays clamped, the Cord Blood does not clot for quite a while. We have at least a 30 minute window period to collect the Cord Blood after the delivery of the placenta. I suggest the following procedure to be followed in a case like this:

The placenta and CLAMPED cord be put in a sterile plastic bag and then in a Tupperware (or similar container ) at ROOM TEMPERATURE (ensure that there are no temperature fluctuations ) until the collection kit arrives (within 30 minutes). The collection must then be done using the normal prescribed  procedure – instructions can be found inside each collection kit. This means sticking the needle of the collection bag into the cord vein as near to the clamped end of the cord. Lift the placenta to let the cord hang down  and gravity allows the Cord Blood to flow freely into the collection bag. By using a VERY gentle “milking action” of the cord, this would maximize the volume of Cord Blood collected. It must be stressed that this collection must be done slowly and patiently as the Cord Blood must not be “ forced “ into the collection bag (the procedure will take at least 3 to 5 minutes to be performed correctly). The collection must be done under sterile conditions.