Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cord Blood Banking?
Cord blood storage is the collection of a newborn’s umbilical cord blood and subsequent freezing. This freezing process is called cryopreservation.
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How is Cord Blood Collected?
After the baby is born a needle is inserted into the umbilical cord where the blood is drawn out. After the collection, the blood will then be processed, tested, and then frozen. Blood from the baby¹s cord will then be kept indefinitely at CellFreeze’s state-of-the-art laboratory.
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What Type of Collection Bags Do You Use?
We use heparin-free cord blood collection bags with FDA approved Citrate Phosphate Dextrose (CPD) anticoagulant. CPD has been proven to provide higher cell counts in collections (vs Heparin).
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Is Obtaining Cord Blood Painful?
There is absolutely no pain to you or your baby as the sample is drawn. Cord blood is retrieved from the placenta and umbilical cord after it has been cut, preventing any pain, discomfort, or harm
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Are There Any Health Risks To Obtaining Cord Blood?
There is absolutely no risk to obtaining cord blood. Your healthcare practitioner (Ob/Gyn, midwife, etc.) will always ensure you and your baby’s health and safety at delivery first, and then proceed to collecting cord blood. On occasion a sample cannot be obtained due to the needs of the mother or the baby but that doesn’t happen very often.
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How Long Can Cord Blood Cells Be Stored?
Research indicates that stem cells frozen using the slow-rate process and stored in liquid nitrogen are viable for an indefinite period.
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Is Collection Amount Important?
Yes, research has shown that larger stem cell samples have a better survival rate in transplant.
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What Happens If I Need the Frozen Sample?
Upon appropriate written notification from a treating physician, CellFreeze will process the cord blood sample for use within 48 hours.
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Can I Donate My Baby’s Cord Blood?
Absolutely! Cord blood donations are used for ongoing research into disease treatment and for use by other people requiring treatment. Please contact our facility to see if we are currently accepting donated samples.
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Is Cord Blood Banking Expensive?
CellFreeze cord blood banking fees are among some of the lowest in the nation. Discounts are available for early registration and multiple births.
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Should I Save Cord Blood For All My Children?
Just as each child is genetically unique, so is that child's cord blood stem cell sample. Parents save cord blood for each of their children to ensure that an exact genetic match is available. In addition, it increases the likelihood of a useful match between family members. Also CellFreeze offers discounts for multiple births.
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What Are the Benefits to Choosing a Local Facility?
The biggest benefit to choosing a local facility is that in most cases we are able to process the cord blood within 24 hours of notification of the completed collection. The quicker the sample is processed, the higher the sample cell count.
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How Do I Sign Up?
There are multiple ways to enroll including online (Order Kit Now!) and via telephone at 702-496-5425. After you purchase a kit, you will need to let your doctor or midwife know of your plans to bank your baby’s cord blood.
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What Happens When I Go Into Labor?
As your delivery date approaches, pack your CellFreeze Cord Blood Bank collection kit with your personal items. When you get to the hospital or delivery center, give the kit to the labor and delivery nurse or doctor for appropriate collection set-up. Once the cord blood has been collected, please contact CellFreeze as soon as possible in order to schedule a pick-up of the sample. The cord blood must be received by Cellfreeze within 48 hours of collection.