healthcare providers

Bag Collection Method

The Leader in
Cord Blood Banking

The Largest, Most Experienced Cord Blood Bank
CBR is the #1 choice of Ob/Gyns and expectant families, having already saved cord blood for more than 240,000 newborns.

The Leader in
Regenerative Medicine
CBR is the family bank with the largest number of transplants and has provided the most cord blood samples for use in new treatments for brain injury and juvenile diabetes.

Highest Cell Recovery Rate
in the Industry
CBR's unique CellAdvantage® system has the highest published cell recovery rate in the industry - 99%. That means CBR saves more stem cells for your family, which is important in improving treatment outcomes if you ever need them.

Caregiver Instructions

STERILE Bag Method

See the Sterile Bag Method demonstrated online!

Following a few easy steps can maximize the number of stem cells available for your patient.

General Overview
  1. The maternal blood should be collected when the patient is admitted to labor and delivery.
  2. No loading of anticoagulant required. For your convenience, the bags have been prefilled with dry anticoagulant.
  3. Collect as much cord blood as possible. (The bag will hold up to 400ml.)
  4. If the sample appears small, it should still be sent to our laboratory for assessment, as it is often possible to obtain a sufficient number of viable stem cells.

1. Maternal Blood Draw

(Three vacutainers: one red top (7ml) and two purple top (7ml); monojet adapter; 21G needle with safety sheath; and tourniquet)

  1. The maternal blood should be collected within 48 hours delivery.
  2. Make sure that the three provided vacutainers are used for maternal blood draw only.
  3. Place the three vacutainers back into the felt tube shuttle, then insert into the plastic blue-line biohazard bag, and return to the kit.

2. Vaginal and Cesarean Cord Blood Collection Procedures

(Cord blood should be collected as soon as possible, ideally within ten minutes of birth. To maximize volume, cord blood should be collected while the placenta remains in utero. In utero collection is also preferred for uncomplicated cesarean deliveries.)

Prior to placental delivery or removal:
  1. Clamp and cut the cord as close as possible to the infant.
  2. Starting at the fetal end of the cord, swab the area at needle insertion site with Betadine or 70% alcohol.
  3. To maximize collection volume, minimize manipulation of cord.
  4. Remove the protective needle cap at the end of the tubing by gently twisting and pulling on the cap. Insert the needle with the attached blood collection bag at the prepared insertion site.
  5. Keep the bag at a lower level than the insertion site. Allow as much blood to flow into the bag as possible. Gently rock the bag to thoroughly mix the cord blood with the anticoagulant.
  6. Watch the blood flow carefully. If the vein collapses, reinsert the needle farther up the cord. Swab each insertion site with Betadine or 70% alcohol.
  7. After the blood flow has stopped, activate the needle safety cover by pushing into locked position. Immediately "milk" the residual blood in the tubing down into the bag.
After placental delivery or removal:

If the placenta is spontaneously expelled before enough blood is collected, or in the case of a cesarean delivery, the above procedure can be repeated (or even initiated after the expulsion of the placenta). Be sure to access only the fetal side of the placenta. Collection may be facilitated by keeping the collection bag lower than the placenta.

3. Postcollection Procedures

(The cord blood should remain at room temperature. DO NOT REFRIGERATE!)

  1. Clamp the tubing with the attached clasp as close to the blood bag as possible to prevent leakage.
  2. Tie two (2) secure knots in the tubing, close to the blood bag, to prevent leakage during shipping. (DO NOT USE SUTURES.)
  3. Cut off the needle and discard it in a sharps container.
  4. Gently invert the bag several times to thoroughly mix the cord blood and anticoagulant.
  5. Record the date and time of collection and the collection facility on one label found on the Data Collection Sheet. Affix label to the collection bag making sure not to obscure the green bar code label.
  6. Place the entire blood collection bag into the plastic bag with the absorbent pad, seal, and return to the insulated kit.
  7. Complete the section of the Data Collection Sheet regarding the newborn as well as any incomplete information concerning the delivering physician or hospital, and place the form inside the kit.
  8. Provide the kit to the person designated for shipping. Parents are responsible for timely shipment of the kit.

Cord Blood Registry’s(SM) collection kit is compliant with
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.

1-800-456-0583—24 hours/365 days
(All calls from outside the United States: (650) 635-1420)

MA00428.13 • 1105 • All Rights Reserved © 2005 - 2007 Cbr Systems, Inc.