Umbilical cord blood is harvested after the childbirth, and after cutting the umbilical cord (navel string). Thus, the harvesting has no connection to the child - during the harvesting the child is already in care of a paediatrician or a nurse. The harvesting procedure is performed via an umbilical cord prior to the delivery of the placenta. About 97% of the umbilical cord blood could be found in placenta and about 3% in umbilical cord, therefore the name placental blood is more correct. After cutting the umbilical cord, the blood in the placenta clots quickly, therefore the harvesting must be performed immediately. The placenta and the umbilical cord are actually the child’s organs and provide the attachment with the uterus during the pregnancy. Hence the harvesting of umbilical cord blood is also painless for the mother.

          The average amount of umbilical cord blood harvested from the placenta is 90 ml. If a larger amount of blood is harvested, a larger amount of stem cells could be preserved.

          The most important is that the umbilical cord blood was sterile. As the umbilical cord passes through the birth canals, rich in vaginal flora, a big risk of harvesting contamination by bacteria exists here. This we can prevent by precise rinsing and disinfecting of the umbilical cord. By correctly performed the harvesting, the risk of contamination is minimal.

          It is possible to harvest the umbilical cord blood into syringes, or into special bags. Harvesting into syringes is cheaper and easier, on the other side the amount of harvested blood is smaller. (Some companies harvest the placental blood into syringes, some of them give the obstetrician the opportunity of choice, we insist on harvesting into special bag in order to ensure the best results.)

          It is possible to harvest the umbilical cord blood even in non-standard situations, such as premature delivery, post term delivery, caesarean section, or water birth. The epidural anaesthesia, drug taking, mothers disease (such as gestosis, manifest mainly with swelling and elevated blood pressure), or diabetes is not an obstacle either. A contraindication is the HIV virus infection, active hepatitis B and C.

          In cases of delivery complications, it could happen that the obstetrician hasn’t got enough time for the harvesting of the umbilical cord blood. In such case it is the sovereign judgement of the obstetrician, if he performs the harvesting or not, namely in the health interest of the mother delivering the child.