Why did my doctor take my cord blood?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

I have wondered this for the past 2 years and keep forgetting to ask my doctor... Why did he draw blood out of my baby's cord after he cut it? I did not have it saved and I really don't care if he donated the cord blood, but would he not need my consent to do this? Some people would not like their doctor doing this with their consent.

I really don't know what he was doing or why, all I saw was a huge needle and syringe that he used to withdraw the blood from the cord.

Thanks!

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Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.

It was probably for cord blood testing. They can use the cord blood to look at blood gases, blood type, CBC, RBC count, H & H, glucose levels, bilirubin, etc.

They could have used it to bank the blood if they suspected needing it later (probably have talked to you about it first), but doctors routinely collect samples because it easier to get the blood from the cord then to prick the newborn to draw blood.

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Thanks! Good to know!

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In addition to all the above reasons, babies have their blood drawn for the Coombs test which is done to assess for any ABO blood incompatibilities or problems due to Rh differences. Baby's blood is typed at this time and the other tests mentioned earlier may be performed. This is especially the case with an Rh negative or GBS positive mom who did not receive adequate abx treatment.

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Some providers will draw the cord blood for the purpose of donation without explicit patient consent. It is a little tricky from an ethical standpoint but if you were to ask for this to be done then insurance expects the provider to charge (if memory serves from OB clinicals last summer) 500$. Whereas if its just drawn it did not create a reimburseable event.

Cord blood is an excellent source of stem cells. I personally think that cord blood donation should be an opt out rather than an opt in choice.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Viking,

The donation of cord blood you describe requires detailed health information on mom/baby, special collection techniques, storage, handling, and arrangements for shipping of the sample to a cord blood bank.

It is doubtful that this would be accomplished without the parents' knowledge, and any physician who would attempt to do so without explicit consent is risking his reputation, practice privileges and litigation.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

Like the others have said, cord blood is routinely drawn to test blood gases, Hct/Hgb, blood type, and Coombs testing.

Cord blood donation/banking requires special consents, collection, testing, and storage, all which cannot be accomplished without parental knowledge and consent.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

I'm going with the others and saying blood type & Coombs, esp if Mom is type O, or is any type and Rh-neg.

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If there were decelerations of the fetal heart rate, the blood may have been drawn for a cord blood gas. We only do it if there may be a problem. Perhaps some places test everyone's cord gas?

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Specializes in maternity.

your cord blood was taken to either check the baby's blood type and coombs or to be held in the lab if your blood type is not O positive or Rh negative. this blood is not taken for stem cell collection or cord blood banking. hope this helps.

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Some providers will draw the cord blood for the purpose of donation without explicit patient consent. It is a little tricky from an ethical standpoint but if you were to ask for this to be done then insurance expects the provider to charge (if memory serves from OB clinicals last summer) 500$. Whereas if its just drawn it did not create a reimburseable event.

Cord blood is an excellent source of stem cells. I personally think that cord blood donation should be an opt out rather than an opt in choice.

.....and I don't think many mothers would have a problem with this.

I know I wouldn't...if it harms no one, and a birth or research can safe another's life, I say take it!

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.....and I don't think many mothers would have a problem with this.

I know I wouldn't...if it harms no one, and a birth or research can safe another's life, I say take it!

Cord blood collection is not compatible with delayed cord clamping (as far as I have been told). Although few providers seem to practice delayed cord clamping there are many benefits to the baby and it does not rule out active management of the third stage- in fact WHO does not recommend early cord clamping as part of it's active management practice recommendations. I digress, but I do think there are reasons people would opt out of early clamping and opt out cord blood banking would make that more difficult.

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