Birth Tissue Donation
New Paths for Healing
With the excitement of a new birth also comes the opportunity to help others through the donation of birth tissue.
Birth tissue — the placenta, umbilical cord and amniotic fluid — nourishes the baby during pregnancy and is usually discarded after delivery. But its healthful benefits don’t have to end when the baby is born. Birth tissue can be saved and made into grafts that can help others heal.
Donating birth tissue has no effect on the delivery process or the mother and baby’s care.
How Birth Tissue Helps Others
Birth tissue facilitates natural wound healing and can help up to 15 people with medical needs such as:
- Traumatic burns
- Skin cancer treatments
- Ulcers and chronic wounds
- Sports injuries
- Eye conditions
- Dental procedures
The Birth Tissue Donation Process
The birth tissue donation process begins with a phone conversation prior to delivery:
- A Live On Nebraska Coordinator will call you to confirm your consent for donation and complete a donor screening.
- A series of questions will be reviewed regarding your medical and social history. The interview will take 20-25 minutes. You and your baby’s personal and medical information will be kept confidential.
- If you are a good candidate for donation, your physician will provide your placenta to Live On Nebraska after the baby’s delivery. We will package the birth tissue and provide it to a partner organization who carefully evaluates the placenta and prepares it for recipients in need.
Birth tissue does not need to be transplanted right away. In some cases, it may be months or even years before being transplanted. Information about donated tissue is typically available after six months. If you have questions about your tissue donation or would like outcome information, please contact our Aftercare team by email or at 402-733-1800.
How You Can Help
Arrangements for birth tissue donation must be made prior to delivery. If you are interested in donating, complete the form below or call Live On Nebraska at 402-201-2334.
Birth Tissue Interest Form
If you’d like to know more about birth tissue donation or are interested in donating, complete the information below and we’ll get back to you shortly.