The acid-base balance of the fetus is to be normal for the normal and healthy growth of the fetus. If there is an imbalance in it then the fetus might suffer from abnormal growth that may affect it.

To identify any problems in the fetus the cord blood testing can be done. Sample of the cord blood has to be taken and this involves a inserting a fine needle in the abdomen of the pregnant woman and into the vein of the umbilical cord that carries the blood to the fetus.

The blood thus taken is diagnosed for any irregularities such as infections, blood disorders (hemophilia and anemia), structural disorders and other metabolic disorders. There are a few methods in which fetal blood sampling can be done.

Percutaneous Umbilical Cord Blood Sampling, cordocentesis and intrahepatic sampling are the methods used. Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Percutaneous umbilical cord blood sampling method employs a fine needle to take the blood from the umbilical cord. The patient (a pregnant woman) has to be prepared for taking the sample.

This is a procedure that is assisted by ultrasound for taking samples from the right place. The vein in the umbilical cord is identified using the ultrasound and then the sample is taken for cord blood testing.

Chromosomal disorders can be identified using the cord blood testing.Cord blood testing is also done before the cord blood is stored in a blood bank for future usage.

Both the public and the private banks do these routine cord blood tests before they accept the blood from the donor. This kind of cord blood testing is part of the procedure to store the blood in a blood bank.

Taking the sample cord blood from a pregnant woman or from the baby needs professional trained for that purpose. Taking sample cord blood for testing from a pregnant woman is more complicated than taking cord blood from the baby.

Families having history of genetic disorders usually store the cord blood after testing so that they can use it in the future when a need arises.

Such families usually use the private cord blood banks to store the blood. Private blood banks meant for that purpose usually charge a fee for their services.

It is not easy to get cord blood that matches a particular person’s blood. Hence different races store cord blood for the purpose of using within their family.