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:

If my baby is born by caesarean section is cord blood collection possible ?

Yes. Umbilical cord blood collection can be carried out either after normal delivery or after caesarean section.

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:

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.