Caregiver Instructions

STERILE Syringe Method

See the Sterile Syringe Method demonstrated online!

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

General Overview

The maternal blood should be collected when the patient is admitted to labor and delivery.
No loading of anticoagulant required. For your convenience, the syringes have been prefilled with dry anticoagulant.
It may not be possible to fill all three syringes, but collect as much cord blood as possible. Each syringe will hold 60cc of blood. Each subsequent syringe should be inserted upwards on the cord, and insertion points should be swabbed to maintain sterility.
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)

The maternal blood should be collected within 48 hours of delivery.
Make sure that the three provided vacutainers are used for maternal blood draw only.
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, collect cord blood while the placenta remains in utero. In utero collection is also preferred for uncomplicated cesarean deliveries.)

Prior to placental delivery or removal:

Clamp and cut the cord as close as possible to the infant.
Starting at the fetal end of the cord, swab the area at needle insertion site with Betadine or 70% alcohol.
To maximize collection volume, minimize manipulation of cord.
Slowly aspirate the blood from the fetal end of the umbilical vein using the syringes, taking advantage of uterine contractions. NOTE: You may not be able to fill all three syringes.
Move farther up the cord after each insertion. Swab each insertion site with Betadine or 70% alcohol.
If vein collapses, allow a minute for the vein to re-engorge and continue to aspirate.

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.

3. Postcollection Procedures

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

Activate needle safety cover by pushing into locked position.
The blood-filled syringes should be inverted back and forth for a period of one to two minutes to mix anticoagulant.
Discard needles and replace with the black rubber stoppers.
Record the date and time of collection and the collection facility on each label found on the Data Collection Sheet. Affix label(s) to each filled syringe making sure not to obscure the green bar code label.
Place each syringe into the blue-line bag with absorbent pad and seal. Return to the insulated kit.
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.
Provide the kit to the person designated for shipping. Parents are responsible for timely shipment of the kit.

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

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