Birth Tissue Donation Program
Birth Tissue Donation Is a Healing Gift
Did you know donated tissues from healthy births can be used to make skin grafts? Harvested birth tissue is also used in lifesaving research. Learn how your baby’s birth tissue can help others heal.
What Is Birth Tissue?
Birth tissue is a group of tissues and fluids that are related to childbirth and circumcision, including:
- Placenta
- Amnion and chorion (placental membranes)
- Amniotic fluid
- Umbilical cord tissue and blood
- Foreskin
What Are the Benefits of Donating Birth Tissue?
Tissues that nourish and protect your baby in the womb have healing properties, but they’re often discarded after delivery.
Birth tissues contain cells that are critical to medical research and treatments for a variety of health conditions.
How Do I Donate Birth Tissue?
Simply ask a member of your Mercy health care team for a consent form and questionnaire. It’s easy and free.
Where Does Donated Birth Tissue Go?
Mercy works with Cardinal Biologicals, Inc. to collect tissue without disrupting the birth process. Tissues collected from healthy deliveries are used for research.
What Happens to Birth Tissue That Isn’t Donated?
Like other tissues removed during medical procedures, birth tissues are considered biological waste for disposal.
Bring even more meaning to your baby’s birth with a gift that helps others heal. Consider making a birth tissue donation.
