1. What is umbilical cord blood collection?

The procedure of drawing blood from the umbilical cord immediately after the birth of the baby is called umbilical cord blood collection. It can be performed with either vaginal or cesarean section deliveries.

2. How new is cord blood collection and transplantation?

The first cord blood transplant was performed in 1988. Since then, more than 20,000 transplants have occurred. The opportunity for expectant families to collect and store their baby's cord blood has become widely available since 1995.

3. Who will collect the cord blood?

Your attending doctor or nurse collects the cord blood. Before your delivery date we will contact your doctor to confirm about the collection procedure. Alternatively, we can send our trained staff to perform the collection.

4. Will you, the cord blood company actively contact the labor and delivery staff for me or do I have to keep them informed and coordinated?

Once you have enrolled with us, inform your doctor that you have engaged our service. As you proceed to the hospital along with the Collection Kit, simply call our Sales Representative who is servicing you or our Call Center and we will coordinate with the labor room and your doctor for the collection of your baby’s cord blood.

5. In case I forgot to carry the kit to the hospital during delivery, what do I do?

In such an event, just call our Sales Representative who is servicing you and the individual will try to arrange for an additional Collection Kit to be provided to you in a timely manner. For your comfort, we do have spare Collection Kits available in some hospitals.

6. Does collection of cord blood pose any risk to my baby or myself?

The cord blood collection procedure is very safe and poses no risk or discomfort to mother or baby. In fact, the blood is collected after the umbilical cord has already been clamped and cut.

7. When is the cord blood collected?

Cord blood is collected right after your baby is born but before the delivery of the placenta.

8. How is the cord blood collected?

The collection process is easy and painless, and does not interfere with the delivery and subsequent care of your newborn or yourself. After the baby is born and ideally before the placenta is delivered, your doctor or our trained certified staff cleans a 4-8 inch area of the umbilical cord with antiseptic solution and inserts the needle attached to the blood bag into the umbilical vein. The blood flows from the umbilical vein into the blood bag by gravity. After all the cord blood is removed from the umbilical cord, the blood bag is then clamped, sealed and labeled. The collection typically takes 3-5 minutes.

9. Are the doctors and nurses at my hospital familiar with the collection process?

Cryoviva works with most hospitals. In the event that you are delivering your baby at a hospital which we have not contracted with before, we will contact your doctor and hospital to provide full information and confirm that they understand the collection procedure. If required, we can also send our trained certified staff to perform the collection.

10. Is it better to collect cord blood before or after the delivery of placenta?

Volumes collected by both methods are comparable, however, collection of cord blood before the delivery of placenta is preferred.

11. Does the hospital need to provide any materials for collection?

The hospital does not need to provide any materials for collection of cord blood. Cryoviva will provide you with a Collection Kit that contains everything your physician/nurse will need for the collection of your baby’s cord blood.

12. Is collection of cord blood different with a cesarean section?

The collection process is essentially the same with a cesarean section. Just like a vaginal delivery, the cord blood will be collected after the baby has been delivered and the umbilical cord has been cut.

13. Will you reject a sample if it is too small?

We will notify you if the sample does not meet our minimum recommended volume. If you choose to proceed with storing your child’s cord blood stem cells despite the low volume, we will accommodate your request.

14. Do you have a minimum amount of cord blood that must be collected?

Although 40ml remains the minimum target for collection, every attempt is made to maximize the volume collected

15. What is your average volume of cord blood collected?

Our average volume of cord blood collected is 100ml.

16. Do we have to make arrangements for transportation of the cord blood?

Cryoviva will arrange to transport the cord blood unit from the hospital where you have your baby delivered to our facility.

17. What if, for medical reasons, we are unable to collect the cord blood?

Collection of the cord blood is completely at the discretion of the medical professional. In the event there are complications during the delivery and collection was not done we will arrange a refund as per our policy.

18. Does the cord blood need to be refrigerated?

No. Do not refrigerate the cord blood. Cord blood must be kept at room temperature from the time of collection to the time of processing.

19. What if it is in the middle of winter or the middle of summer? Will the cord blood be safe during transportation?

Your child’s cord blood will be safe during transportation as our unique Collection Kit contains a gel pack which helps to optimize the temperature of the cord blood during the period from the hospital where your baby is delivered to our facility. As an additional protection, the Collection Kit will be placed in a temperature controlled container during transportation.

20. How soon should the cord blood arrive at your facility for processing?

The cord blood should normally be processed within 48 hours of collection.

21. Is the cost of transportation included in the contract?

Yes, the cost of transportation is included in the contract (for cases where your child is delivered in Thailand only).

22. How long will the cells remain viable in the kit after collection?

Typically, cells remain viable for up to 72 hours after collection. However, at Cryoviva, we attempt to have all cord blood units processed and stored within 12 - 24 hours to prevent any potential loss of viability.

23. Do you have a 24-hour phone number to call if we have questions?

Call Cryoviva at our Toll Free number (within Thailand only) +661-800-545 555 or +66-85-264-0814 for any questions you may have. You can reach our staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, before, during and after the delivery.

24. Where is the facility located?

Our state-of-the-art processing and storage facility is located at 35/8 Moo. 4, T. Khunkaew, A. Nakornchaisri, Nakornpathom 73120, Thailand.

25. Will I receive confirmation that my baby's cord blood has arrived at your facility?

Cryoviva will contact you to inform you that your baby’s cord blood has arrived safely and to let you know the current status of testing and processing your baby’s cord blood.