Just stepping in to offer a personal story…

In spring 2005 I was sitting in my OB/GYN’s office, waiting for the scheduled checkup, pregnant with my fifth child. I just happened to see a pamphlet I hadn’t seen before—my hospital was part of a pilot program from the Red Cross to collect placentas for donation.

I signed up—as a regular blood donor I knew I was a pretty good risk, and I was young enough (under 40).

Because it was a pilot program, they only had one gal, and she only worked five days, covering two hospitals. This was one of the reasons I scheduled my induction on a Monday—so I could donate. I knew I would have to deliver while she was working, or it wouldn’t work.

The delivery went fine, but the gal had to race from the other hospital to “catch” the placenta. I think they left it in a few extra minutes, but I was okay with that. (I had just delivered a baby without anesthesia—I was good with just about anything.)

The total cost to my baby: Nothing. The total cost to me: A blood panel and some potentially embarrassing questions. I’m a regular blood donor so big deal.

I still look back with appreciation that I was able to donate his cord blood. They canceled the pilot program shortly afterwords and told me where they moved the cord blood to. It might still be there. It might have already been put to use. Either way, I would do it again in a heartbeat.