Abstract: Featured is a method for the collection of blood, more particularly blood from the umbilical cord, as well as shielding devices and device kits for use with such methods. Such methods and shielding devices advantageously decrease the risk or potential for accidental needle sticks when withdrawing blood from the umbilical cord. Such a method is particularly useful for collecting cord blood and includes the steps of positioning a body portion, from which blood is to be withdrawn, within a shield member and inserting an insertion member of a blood extraction device into the body portion, where the shield member is generally disposed between the insertion member and the user's hand. The method also can include holding the shield member in one of the user's hands and accomplishing said inserting using another of the user's hands. The method further includes stabilizing the body portion using a digit of the one hand holding the shield member.