The donation process is purely optional and doesn’t affect the delivery of the baby in any way, Romage said. The placenta is simply collected and preserved afterward instead of being discarded.
Additionally, it doesn’t cost the new mother anything. In fact, as part of St. Tammany Health System’s agreement with TelaGen, for each placenta donated at the hospital, the company will make a $25 donation to a charity chosen by the delivering doctor and another $25 donation to a charity chosen by the New Family Center.
That might not sound like a lot, but with somewhere in the neighborhood of 700 babies delivered via C-section at the Covington hospital in the past year, it can add up quickly.
“We’ve chosen the St. Tammany Hospital Foundation as our charity of choice,” Romage said. “That way, we know the donation isn’t just staying here in our community but it also will help to continue the healing work we perform at the hospital.”
According to foundation Executive Director Nicole Suhre, that donated money will be earmarked for needs identified by the New Family Center team.
That makes it a win-win-win situation, with the new mom, the recipient of the donated placenta and the community all benefitting.
“What a beautiful complement to ushering in new life – by improving the life of others,” Suhre said.
Learn more about the work of St. Tammany Hospital Foundation at STHfoundation.org.