Frequently Asked Questions
- What happens to my birth tissue if I don’t elect to donate?
- Who can donate their birth tissue to Sharing Miracles?
- How can my donated birth tissue help others?
- What regulatory bodies oversee birth tissue donation?
- What will the team at Sharing Miracles do?
- Will the donation of my birth tissue affect my delivery?
- Can I still donate my cord blood if I donate my placenta and umbilical cord?
- Are there costs associated with donating my birth?
The placenta and umbilical cord are typically discarded as medical waste. Donation is voluntary.
Any mother having a planned cesarean section. Prior to the collection of your tissue, relevant medical information about you and your infant will be reviewed for possible contraindications to donation.
Biological properties in the placenta and umbilical cord help to promote regenerative healing. Grafts made from your birth tissue can help reduce inflammation and scarring while promoting a healing environment. These grafts can be used to treat patients with a wide range of conditions, including keratitis, corneal scars, glaucoma, diabetic foot ulcers, osteoarthritis, and chronic and non-healing wounds to name a few.
Birth tissue is donated through informed consent in compliance with the Food and Drug Administration’s Good Tissue Practices and the American Association of Tissue Banks standards. Current guidance requires all birth tissue donors to be tested for infectious diseases including HIV, human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV), hepatitis B and C, and syphilis. Through our parent company, Biotissue, Inc., Sharing Miracles is accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks.
The Sharing Miracles team has specially trained staff who will answer any questions you may have about the donation and recovery process. They will document your consent to donation and arrange for the physician or hospital to draw a sample of blood and coordinate the collection and transportation of your birth tissue.
No. Your birth tissue will not be acquired until your baby has been safely delivered. The donation process poses no risks to you or your newborn.
Yes, donating your placenta and umbilical cord will not impact your ability to donate cord blood. At Sharing Miracles, we strive to honor each gift and will work to ensure every donation opportunity is maximized.
No, donating your placenta and umbilical cord is an altruistic gift that can positively impact many people. There is no cost to you and your family. All costs associated with the donation process are covered by Sharing Miracles. Federal regulations prohibit any compensation for donated tissues.