Hospitals collecting umbilical blood without permission

[Funky2603]

I am trying to find out if anyone knows anything about hospitals collecting blood (from the cord) without parental consent? I had a bad experience when giving birth to my daughter and subsequently filed an official complaint. One of the questions I raised was related to the midwife drawing blood from the umbilical cord, getting very excited by the fact she had two syringes full, but giving me no explanation as to why she had done this. The hospital responded to the majority of my complaint but never commented on this particular matter. It keeps coming back and bothering me (two and a half years on). I don't know if I am for or against stem cell research (which I guess the blood would have been used for), I just know I would like to have been consulted if that is what they were doing. Can anyone help?

I have often wondered about this, the midwife who delivered ds1, I am sure she took blood from the cord, if there is any way of finding out whether she did, I would love to know, because I was at no point asked for consent.

some info here here

I think it's to check the pH of the baby's blood as this can give an indication of whether they were deprived of oxygen during the birth. Usually done after a difficult delivery to help assess the baby's condition. Nothing sinister about it I don't think! May also have been if you are Rhesus -ve to check the baby's rhesus status. Should have been explained to you though.

Ahhhh that wpould have explained my case totally, am Rh- and had a 42 hour labour!

That has really eased my mind actually, thank you!

Not sure if this is definately the reason why yours was taken, but some hospitals take blood from the cord to check the pH level of the babies/placentas blood. It tells them if the baby has had enough oxygen during the end of labour and delivery - kind of a way of telling if and for how long a baby may have been in distress. It is put through a machine and then disposed of so no worries of it being kept. Think it is done fairly routinely if it was a difficult birth or long labour.

Thanks to Tiredemma for the link, it looks really helpful. Daisymoo, I think what you say makes sense but if it was the case and therefore innocent and in the best interests of my baby, I wonder why they would not answer my question?

I honestly think it is extremely unlikely that they will have retained the cord blood sample for research. Having worked in medical research involving human tissue samples I know that this is a really hot topic since the Alder Hey scandal and hospitals certainly IME are scrupulous about getting written consent. If you're unhappy that they haven't answered you questions about this properly then you should write again and insist on an explanation.

As daisy moo said the reason the blood would have been taken would be to check the blood gases, blood for stem cell collection is not routinely taken. Where I work it if only done if requested by parents the few times I have seen it done once was for a sick little girl ( the sister of the newborn) and the other it was for banking. It is collected using a special kit and not just syringes as they are not sterile, sorry I am rubbish at explaining things like that

Personally I think it is a waste of what could be a very valuable and life saving resource when we throw away cord blood (and stem cells), but would never advocate it being collected or used without consent.

If it had been for any other purpose your consent would have been obtained, if you ask to see your notes it should be documented there or if it isnt there should be a cord gas result.

I hope this sets your mind at rest

VERY unlikely to be for stem cell collection: as far as I know, OBs and MWs are campaigning for the government to provide funding if this is going to become standard/more popular - they have their hands full enough without the extra job! Or thats the gist of what my OB said, anyway.