The placenta is an organ that provides oxygen and vital nutrients to a growing baby. Although the placenta is delivered after the baby is born, many people are left wondering what they can do with it.
The placenta is a precious organ that can help heal traumatic wounds and diabetic ulcers in patients with severe injuries. While a placenta can be donated, it cannot be sold.
Gift of Life is here to go over what you can do with a placenta after birth and what your options are.
Is It Legal to Sell My Placenta?
If you’re expecting a baby or hoping to be in the near future, you probably have a lot of questions. The question of what to do with your placenta might come up during one of your routine doctor visits or even from scrolling on social media.
In the United States, it is illegal to sell any organ, including the placenta.
In most hospitals, the placenta is treated just like any other body part or organ, subject to the same rules governing the disposal of medical waste or surgery byproducts.
What Can I Do With My Placenta?
After birth, the attending doctor and nurses will see that the placenta is delivered.
At that point, unless other arrangements have been made, the placenta is removed from your hospital room and safely discarded. However, you have some options for your placenta.
You can opt todonate your placenta, providing valuable resources to those waiting for surgery or other life-saving treatments.
Donating your placenta can help people with eye injuries, spinal conditions, or dental procedures.
There’s no cost to donate your placenta, and it provides no risk to the parent or child, making it an easy decision for anyone about to deliver a baby who wants to help others.
What Does Placenta Donation Entail?
Donating your baby’s placenta is a gift, with payment for the donation noted as illegal under the National Organ Transplant Act of 1984.
In Michigan, it’s easy to start the process of placenta donation.
Complete this form, and one of our coordinators from Gift of Life will contact you to set up a time to start the process.
You’ll also need to answer some detailed questions about your medical and social history.
These questions are designed to ensure the safety of the donated tissue.
The placenta will be safely transported to Gift of Life after the birth, similar to other donated organs..
Your Baby Could be Born a Hero
Rich in nutrients and featuring unique healing properties, the placenta is a valuable organ that can help save lives. Technically, the placenta belongs to the newborn baby, so donating it is your child’s first generous gift to others.
While you cannot legally sell your baby’s placenta or accept any money for it, you can choose to donate the placenta.
Donating your baby’s placenta can make a difference in the lives of many people, including someone suffering from ulcers or traumatic wounds.
If you have any additional questions about placenta donation or if you want to get started with this life-saving process,contact us at Gift of Life Michigan.
We would love to have your baby join our life-saving mission as a placenta donor!
Photo Credit: SewCreamStudio/Shutterstock
