More opportunities are being discovered every year but, since each case is different, there is no guarantee that a cord blood transplant will be an appropriate treatment therapy or that it will provide a cure.

How long has science known about human umbilical cord blood?
The world's first successful human cord blood transplant was conducted in France in 1988 where stem cells were injected into a child with Fanconi's Anemia. In 1991, a transplant was successfully performed on a child with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). These initial accomplishments opened doors to use cord blood for situations where traditional bone marrow was routinely utilized.

What are the limits?
Cord blood storage is often compared to an insurance policy in that it is a way to plan for a way to potentially assist you with something bad happening in the future. Unlike an insurance policy, however, we cannot guarantee cord blood storage will assist you with the health problems your family suffers from down the road. While the potential uses for cord blood cells are rapidly expanding, the odds that a family without a defined risk will need to use their child's umbilical cord blood are low.

There is no guarantee that the umbilical cord blood will be a match for a family member or will provide a cure. Autologous cord blood stem cells will not guarantee suitable treatment for all inherited genetic diseases. As with any transplant therapy, therapeutic success depends upon many factors beyond the stem cells themselves including patient condition, type of disease, recipient-donor relationship and matching, and other factors.
 
When is the cord blood collected?
At birth is the only time that cord blood can be collected.

How is the cord blood collected?
The collection process is easy and painless, and does not interfere with the delivery or subsequent care for your newborn or yourself. After your baby is born, but before the placenta is delivered, your obstetrician or midwife cleans a 4-to 8-inch area of umbilical cord with antiseptic solution and inserts the blood bag needle into the umbilical vein draining the cord of the blood by gravity. The blood bag is clamped, sealed and labeled. The collection typically takes 3-minutes. Additionally there are three tubes of blood drawn from the mother that will be used for diagnostic testing required by law.
 
What if my caregiver will not collect my newborn’s cord blood cells, can you recommend a caregiver that will?
DomaniCell is committed to its customer and value its service. Please feel free to contact us at 1-888-DO-MANI and we will direct you to a healthcare provider in your area to discuss further options.
 
Is the collection amount important?
Yes, the larger the cord blood sample, the better; however, DomaniCell will process what is received, if possible.
 
Are there any physical risks to donating cord blood?
No. Cord blood collection is non-invasive and painless to both the mother and baby. Cord blood collection only takes place after a successful delivery has been accomplished. If there are any complications during the birth of your child the obstetrician may elect to forego collecting the cord blood.

Does the hospital need to provide any materials for collection?
No. DomaniCell will mail you a collection kit for your baby’s cord blood stem cells. The kit contains all the items your caregiver will need to collect your baby’s cord blood. However, you must remember to take the kit with you to the hospital when you deliver.