delayed cord clamping v. donating the cord blood

[gertrudestein]

Hi all,

My hospital asks expectant mothers for their consent to donate cord blood after the birth of their children. I would definitely like to and think it's a great idea.

However, I've read some stuff on MN about delayed cord clamping being beneficial for the baby, and I'm not sure how donating the blood would affect it.

Can anyone point me in the direction of some useful resources about any of this? The NHS donation site doesn't say anything about delayed clamping, and all the delayed clamping sites I can find don't mention donation to a public bank!

TIA

From what I've read online, if the cord blood is collected before going into your baby you are effectively taking blood from him/her. And as this is not a good thing, therefore cord blood collection isn't good for your baby.
Delayed clamping is better.

Prob will get flamed, but that's the info I've found.

According to the stuff i researched you can do delayed clamping and then still collect cord blood. I researched it a while ago.

Have a look on the anthony nolan site?

Sorry havemt worked out how to link on my phone but it says on the antony nolan site under frequently asked questions about cord blood donation that you can still.do delayed cord clamping ie wait for cord to stop pulsating and then they cam collect what is left :)

Brilliant, thank you! I didn't know about the Anthony Nolan site but here is the link to FAQs for anyone else who wants to see www.anthonynolan.org/What-you-can-do/donate-your-umbilical-cord/FAQs.aspx

milktraylady I know how you feel - if I had to make a choice between my baby's health now and an unknown future, I think like everyone I would feel compelled to help my baby. But I'm reassured by the Anthony Nolan site - will also ask my MW and post more info here if I get any!

Great you found it :)

Hope your midwife is helpful :)

I would love to donate cord blood as a local toddler has just lost his battle to cancer but having cord blood did extend his life. My local hospital doesn't do it :( my friend just gave birth and did it though. How fantastic to possibly save a life when bringing another into the world. Look at cords4life they may have some more info .

Excellento, if Anthony Nolan stuff is correct

What a fab idea. Don't do it at my local hosp though which is a shame because its a massive teaching hosp. Would happily donate if I could.

Yes what 5eggs said. The Anthony Nolan site is great.
I probably know a little more about this as my dad recently had a stem cell transplant (not from cord blood though from an adult donor).
My dad first got leukaemia aged 45 and again now 10 years later, the transplant has put him into remission which we are so thankful for.
My baby is due in 3 weeks, and this will be the first grandchild.
He was also able to give me away at my wedding 5 months after his transplant.
My local hospital doesn't do cord blood donations but I would have jumped at the chance to help somebody else in the way some very kind stranger helped my dad.
I'm on the bone marrow donor register anyway. If anyone is interested in more info just inbox me or post on here

I donated my cord blood after my c section. They will collect what they can and decide whether its a transplant or enough for research. My dd2 enough was harvested for a full transplant. The anthony nolan nurse came to find me in recovery to tell me and i burst into tears. There was something very magical about knowing she'd just potentially saved a life.

I know that doesnt answer your clamping question but i just wanted to tell you how special i found it. Actually in my c section it was the anthony nolan lady who was the most attentive she was lovely.

The Anthony Nolan site is out of date- my hospital isn't listed there but is on the nhs website. I was in the same position OP- I ummed and ahhed about it as I've read about pulsating cords too.

I've just signed up :-)

Aha- turns out that Anthony Nolan do some hospitals, and the nhs do others.

The nhs cover Barnet General Hospital, Northwick Park Hospital, Luton & Dunstable Hospital, Watford General Hospital and University College Hospital.

Anthony Nolan cover King's College Hospital or The Royal Free Hospital in London and the Leicester Royal Infirmary and Leicester General Hospital.

I know I'm a bit late in the day for this thread but I'm petitioning the government to roll out cord blood donation and wondered if you would sign the petition?
bit.ly/19BII0S