The Procedure

The collection of the cord tissue can be carried out both during physiological birth and in the case of a caesarean section and involves cutting a portion of the umbilical cord about 10 cm long. The cut portion is transferred to a special container already filled with the transport and maintenance solution, which will then be placed in an envelope for the transport of the sample.

The collection, which generally occurs together with the collection of umbilical cord blood, does not involve changes to the normal care procedures for the mother and the newborn. Healthcare personnel are not responsible for the necessary procedures.

In general, those who choose to preserve the cord tissue also keep the stem cells of the umbilical cord blood. Families wishing to do so can apply for the Export Authorization at a foreign private facility from the Health Department of the hospital where the delivery will take place (State-Regions Agreement of 29 April 2010).

According to the Agreement, the Health Departments of the birth centers have the task of authorizing the export of umbilical cord blood for autologous use, after verifying the requirements of the requesting parents and the characteristics of the recipient bank.

Bioscience Institute deals with the administrative, logistical and health aspects, assisting its customers in the procedures necessary to obtain the authorization for the export of cord stem cells and in the collection of the blood sample at the facility where the delivery will take place. The procedure for collecting the Kit at the birth center can be activated by contacting the Bioscience Institute directly.