At our antenatel classes last week we covered the stages of labour. The midwife mentioned the injection to deliver the placenta quickly and I asked her if delivering it naturally was an option. She said that it was 'standard hospital procedure' but to check with my OB. She mentioned the chances of postpartum haemorrhage was high without the injection. I am now looking further into this and just read the article on the BB site: 'Leaving Well Alone: A Natural Approach to the Third Stage of Labour' By Dr Sarah Buckley.

The following is from the article (hope I am allowed to quote from it):

Cord blood harvesting, which is currently being promoted to fill Cord Blood Banks for future treatment of children with leukaemia, involves immediate clamping, and up to 100 ml of this extraordinary blood can be taken from the baby to whom it belongs. Perhaps this is justifiable where active management is practiced, and the blood would be otherwise discarded, but, unfortunately, cord blood donation is incompatible with a physiological (natural) third stage.
We are planning to donate our babies cord blood but now I am wondering if I can if I choose a natural third stage.

Can anyone give me their personal experience or knowledge on this as I would like to be clear before I go into labour. BTW I am hoping for a drug free labour and do not want an epidural or pethadine but am considering gas as a last resort, and this is why I am looking into a complete natural birth if it is possible.