Cord blood and cord tissue collection is simple, painless and poses no risk to mother or baby. After the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut, your doctor will sanitize a small section of the cord and insert the collection bag needle. The excess blood that had remained in the placenta and umbilical cord after your baby's birth will flow into the collection bag by gravity. When the flow stops, the collection bag is sealed, labeled and ready for transport to the laboratory. If you have also chosen to save your baby's cord tissue, your doctor will then cut a 6 to 8 inch segment of the umbilical cord and place it inside the cord tissue collection container. Four small vials of the mother's blood will also be drawn and sent to our laboratory with the cord blood and cord tissue units.