Umbilical Cord Blood Donation
Umbilical cord blood can be collected after your child is born. It can then be donated to the Public Cord Blood Bank to help someone with a serious illness. Since 2004, Héma-Québec has managed the only public cord blood bank in Quebec.
Cord Blood Donation: What You Need to Know
- Cord blood is collected after the child is born.
- No blood is taken directly from the newborn.
- The collection takes approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
- It is safe for both the mother and the child.
- Registration must be completed before the 36th week of pregnancy.
- Donation is available at participating Héma-Québec hospitals.
Why Donate Umbilical Cord Blood?
The Bank aims to make stem cells from umbilical cord blood a collective resource. It provides high-quality stem cells for patients waiting for a stem cell transplant.
It provides access to a complementary source of stem cells, in addition to bone marrow and peripheral blood. It is also an integral part of the stem cell donor registry.
Cord blood is collected at Héma-Québec’s participating hospitals. Mothers must authorize the collection and register with the Bank before the 36th week of pregnancy.
Cord blood is collected after the birth of the child, when the umbilical cord is cut. No sample is therefore taken directly from the newborn.
Cord blood collection is less invasive than bone marrow stem cell donation. It is safe for both the mother and the child. If the umbilical cord blood is not collected, it is discarded as biomedical waste, just like the placenta.
What Happens to Cord Blood After Collection?
1. Collection
Cord blood is collected after the child is born and the umbilical cord has been cut.
2. Testing
The collected blood is processed and tested in laboratories to ensure its safety and quality.
3. Storage
If the donation meets the required standards, it is frozen. Cord blood can be stored frozen for at least 10 years.
4. Transplant or Research
Donations that meet the required standards become available for patients waiting for a stem cell transplant. Donations that do not qualify for the Bank may be kept for research purposes if the mothers concerned provide their consent.
These donations may be stored at the CHU mère-enfant Sainte-Justine, the Royal Victoria Hospital Clinical Research Cord Blood Bank and the CHUQ mère-enfant Research Centre.
Eligibility Criteria for Umbilical Cord Blood Donation
Expectant mothers must:
- Be healthy
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be pregnant with a single baby (no twins)
- Register before the 36th week of pregnancy
- Know the medical and genetic history of their parents as well as that of the baby’s paternal grandparents
In addition, only patients who plan to give birth at the following participating hospitals can register:
- St. Mary’s Hospital
- CHU Sainte-Justine
- Royal Victoria Hospital
- Cité-de-la-Santé Hospital
- LaSalle Hospital
- MUHC
- Jewish General Hospital
The 3-Step Donation Process
1. Registration
You must complete the online registration form before your 36th week of pregnancy.
OR
Eligible pregnant women can register by calling 1 800 565-6635 or 514 832-5000, ext. 5253. They can also email sangdecordon@hema-quebec.qc.ca.
2. The Selection Process
A Héma-Québec nurse will contact you after your online registration. The nurse will complete a short qualification questionnaire with you.
3. The Donation
Umbilical cord blood collection takes approximately 3 to 5 minutes. It is safe for both the mother and the child.
The collection takes place after the child is born and the umbilical cord is cut, but before the placenta is delivered. The mother and the child do not feel any effects from the collection.
Cord blood collection does not interfere with skin-to-skin contact between the mother and the newborn. Delayed cord clamping is still prioritized by the medical team.
We encourage you to discuss the procedure with your doctor during one of your pregnancy follow-up appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cord Blood Donation
Is cord blood donation safe for my baby?
Yes. Cord blood is collected after birth and no blood is taken directly from the newborn. The collection is safe for both the mother and the child.
When is cord blood collected?
Cord blood is collected after the child is born and the umbilical cord is cut, but before the placenta is delivered.
How long does cord blood collection take?
The collection takes approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
When do I need to register to donate cord blood?
Registration must be completed before the 36th week of pregnancy.
Does cord blood collection interfere with skin-to-skin contact or delayed cord clamping?
No. Cord blood collection does not interfere with skin-to-skin contact between the mother and the newborn. Delayed cord clamping remains a priority for the medical team.
What happens if my donation does not qualify for the Bank?
Some donations that do not qualify for the Bank may be kept for research purposes if the mother provides her consent.
Information and Resources
For more information about cord blood donation, eligibility requirements and the registration process, visit the Héma-Québec website.