Disclosed herein are methods and apparatuses for the safe, high-yield collection of sterile amniotic fluid. The apparatus are configured to allow sufficient flexibility for the device to gain access to all areas of the amniotic cavity, to allow sufficient stiffness for the amniotic fluid collection device to puncture the amniotic and chorionic membranes, yet allow sufficient suppleness to pose no significant risk of maternal or fetal harm. Further disclosed are cells isolated from the full-term amniotic fluid, and methods for using, reprogramming, and differentiating these cells.