FAQs
General Questions |
Components of placental tissue can be used to help heal others. The amniotic membrane is the innermost layer of the placenta. It has been used for several decades to accelerate the healing process. This tissue is used in a wide array of procedures including oral, eye and spine surgeries, and to help treat difficult-to-heal wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, bed sores, and burns.
- Speak with your doctor or a Tissue Resources recovery agent about your decision to donate.
- If you wish to donate, you will sign a written consent giving us permission to recover your cord blood / placenta after your newborn is safe and out of the way.
- You will complete the FDA required medical and social screening history. This information is strictly confidential.
- When you arrive at the hospital for your delivery, a sample of your blood will be drawn at the same time your routine hospital blood work is drawn. This prevents you from getting an additional needle stick. Your blood will be sent to a lab where it will undergo routine infectious disease screening. This is to confirm your cord blood / placental tissue is clear of certain infectious diseases.
- After you deliver, a Tissue Resources recovery agent will work with your doctor and nurses to recover the cord blood / placenta. Nothing else is required from you.
No. Segments of donated placenta are typically used to create patches or “bandages” that are placed on burns, hard to heal wounds and scars. These patches help resolve these conditions. Cord Blood is the stem cell rich blood that remains in the umbilical cord. It is typically used to treat blood disorders and certain cancers.
Any birth mother may be able to donate. You must not have certain medical conditions, and you must be clear of certain infectious diseases. Although vaginal births may be eligible for donation, scheduled C-section deliveries are preferred. C-section deliveries pose less risk of contaminating the donated cord blood / placenta. There is less likelihood placental tissue damage will occur during a C-section.
Yes, both types of deliveries are acceptable for donation.
- Most, healthy moms-to-be can donate. You must also be clear of certain infectious diseases and medical conditions.
- There are no age limits as long as you are legally old enough to consent to the donation.
- Active cancer can disqualify a donor mother.
- As part of the donation process, a questionnaire will be completed by the birth mother. Also, a simple blood draw is performed at the same time as your admitting draw. This eliminates the need for an additional needle stick. Your sample will be tested for infectious diseases. This is to help eliminate the risk of transmitting infectious diseases to the person receiving your gift.
Yes, it is possible to donate or collect for cord blood for storage (private banking) through another organization, such as AlphaCord, without affecting your placenta donation.
As long as you are legally old enough to consent, there are no age limitations.
The Basics |
Any disease which could be transmitted to and potentially harm a recipient. These include viruses and certain types of infections.
Serological testing of the maternal blood is tested for the following:
- HIV
- Syphilis
- HTLV
- CMV
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
No. The cost of the collection kit and incurred shipping charges are covered by Tissue Resources.
Yes. There is no risk to you or your newborn. Your birth tissue is recovered after the C-section once your baby is safe and out of the way. Instead of being discarded as medical waste, your gift will be recovered and used to treat those in need.
Federal Laws prohibits the compensation for the donation of organs. Yet your gift is truly appreciated by those who will receive it.
The FDA requires that a blood test be completed for each placenta donor. This helps ensure the safety and well-being of the recipient and the technicians that will handle it. When done alongside your regularly required hospital blood draw, ours should not require an additional needle stick.
Confirmed positive results for infectious diseases are reported to your doctor by law. All blood test results are kept on file at Tissue resources and can be requested by your doctor.
Tissue Resources has strict guidelines that protect your confidentiality. We ensure any information used is soley for the purposes of following donation protocols and confirming tissue safety.
More Questions |
Many religions support tissue and organ donation. If you have concerns contact your religious leader.
Birth tissue does not have to be directly matched to a potential recipient. This gives your gift the ability to help a large potential pool of patients.
We are unable to disclose this information due to the same patient confidentiality standards we have when you become a donor.
Contact Tissue Resource at 404-315-6500 or complete the contact form on our website. A representative will get back to you within one business day.