Healthcare Professionals FAQs

Do you have a minimum amount of cord blood that must be collected?
Family Cord Blood Services does not have a minimum amount of cord blood that must be collected. We do not impose a minimum collection volume, as minimum collections may also contain adequate numbers of nucleated cells.

What is your average volume of cord blood collected?
Our average volume of cord blood collected is 101cc.

What is the medical professional's responsibility before, during and after the procedure?
Before the procedure, you are responsible to ensure that other medical professionals in your practice are aware that this patient will have her baby's cord blood collected. During the procedure you are responsible for the collection of the cord blood. After the procedure, you are responsible for filling out the cord blood collection worksheet, packing and labeling the contents of the collection kit and returning it to the patient.

Do we have to make arrangements for shipping of the cord blood?
No, the medical professional does not have to make arrangements for shipping of the cord blood to our laboratory. Once the cord blood is ready for shipping, the patient calls the toll-free number for our medical courier service and schedules pick-up of the cord blood at the hospital.

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, you may choose not to collect the cord blood. Our patients are informed of this possibility, and are aware that the most important consideration during delivery is the well-being of the mother and the baby.

Is your collection method easy to use?
Family Cord Blood Services uses the blood bag method for collection of cord blood. The blood bag method is used by the majority of cord blood banks. The kit contains a 16-gauge needle that typically requires just one needle stick. The blood flows via gravity to the blood bag, so the procedure can be done by a single person. Most medical professionals find the blood bag method the most convenient method of collection.

Do you have any training materials for members of our staff who have not done cord blood collections?
Family Cord Blood Services has training materials that we provide to medical professionals who have not performed a cord blood collection.

Do you have a 24-hour phone number to call if we have questions?
Family Cord Blood Services provides medical professionals with a toll-free number where they can reach our staff 24 hours a day for support before, during and after the delivery. The emergency pager number is 800-986-5057.

Does the company offer a Public Donation Option?
Many families would like the option to donate their baby’s cord blood. For this reason, in August 2005 Family Cord Blood Services started offering a Public Donation OptionSM. Our Public Donation Option program is an elective program combining the best aspects of both private and public cord blood banking. It enables parents to store their baby’s cord blood stem cells privately with the option to list their cord blood unit on a donation registry after a minimum of 10 years of private storage. For more information about our Public Donation OptionSM, please click here or call a cord blood educator at 800-490-CORD (2673).