Consent Form
We must have your written permission to collect your cord blood. You will be asked to sign a consent form permitting the cord blood collection and potential use to treat a stem cell transplant patient or perform stem cell research. This consent form will be signed at the hospital when you go to deliver your baby, however a copy will be sent to your home prior to your delivery for you to review.
Remind Hospital Staff
When you arrive at the hospital in labor, remind the staff in Labor and Delivery that you are a cord blood donor and/or give them the reminder card. A collection kit will have been sent to the hospital with your name on it and your chart will have been flagged as a participant.
Blood Sample
Participating mothers will be required to give a sample of blood (about four teaspoons) which will be tested for certain infections, including hepatitis and AIDS. This is done to reduce the chances of passing on an infectious disease through the transplantation of the cord blood unit. This blood sample will be obtained at the hospital when you have your baby. This is usually done when starting your IV or collecting other routine blood samples for your physician.
Privacy
As with the information gathered from the medical history form, information from blood tests will be kept confidential. Your name, your baby's name, and other identifying information will not be disclosed to anyone outside the cord blood bank.
Contact
You might be contacted by a nurse from the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank several weeks after your delivery to check on the health status of you and your baby following delivery.
Also, if your child's cord blood is identified as a potential match for a patient any time in the future, an additional phone call will be made to check on the health status of your child and family. This contact is to obtain and update medical information only. At no time will you or your child be asked for additional blood samples.
In the event your child becomes seriously ill, develops a genetic disorder, illness affecting the immune system, or blood related disease, we ask that you notify the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank as this could affect the patient receiving the cord blood for transplantation.
More information
If you are considering donating your child's cord blood, call the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank at 314-268-2787 or 888-453-2673 to register. A nurse is available to answer your questions between the hours of 7 AM and 6 PM Monday through Friday. You may make this call at anytime during your pregnancy.
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