What Can I Do with My Placenta After Birth?

The birth of your baby is one of the most transformative events of your life. However, after the baby is born, there is still the matter of the placenta – the vital organ that nourished your baby during pregnancy. In recent years, there has been growing interest in what to do with the placenta after birth, as it is seen not just as medical waste, but as an item with potential benefits for the mother. The question, “What can I do with my placenta after birth?” has garnered increasing attention, particularly among those who value prenatal care and antenatal support.

This article explores different options for managing your placenta after childbirth, whether you’re interested in preserving it for future use, consuming it, or opting for more traditional approaches. If you’re exploring antenatal care options or preparing for antenatal appointments, it’s essential to consider all aspects of your postnatal care, including the placenta.

What is the Placenta?

The placenta plays a crucial role in your pregnancy. It attaches to the uterine wall and facilitates the exchange of nutrients, gases, and waste products between you and your baby. After birth, it is typically delivered following the baby, and the medical team often discards it as waste.

However, many women are curious about whether the placenta can be used for other purposes. Some choose to keep it, either for health reasons, sentimental reasons, or cultural practices. The options for managing your placenta vary, and each comes with different benefits and considerations.

Options for Dealing with Your Placenta After Birth

1. Encapsulation: Turning Your Placenta into Pills

One of the most popular methods for placenta management is encapsulation. In this process, the placenta is steamed, dehydrated, and ground into a fine powder, which is then placed into capsules. Many women choose this option with the belief that consuming their placenta can help with postnatal recovery.

Potential Benefits of Placenta Encapsulation:

Hormonal balance: Some claim that placenta encapsulation helps balance hormones after childbirth, potentially reducing the risk of postnatal depression and aiding emotional recovery.

Increased energy: Consuming your placenta is thought to help boost your energy levels, which is particularly beneficial in the early stages of motherhood when sleep deprivation is common.

Improved milk production: Placenta consumption is believed to support milk supply and promote better breastfeeding outcomes.

While these claims are widely circulated, scientific evidence supporting the benefits of placenta encapsulation remains limited. Nevertheless, many mothers report positive experiences, and it has become a popular option among those interested in postnatal care.

2. Placenta Smoothies

Another option that some new mothers consider is consuming their placenta in the form of a smoothie. The placenta is blended with fruits or other ingredients to mask the taste, allowing women to ingest it in a liquid form.

Benefits of Placenta Smoothies:

Immediate ingestion: Unlike encapsulation, placenta smoothies allow for immediate consumption and may be a good option for those who want the benefits of placenta without waiting for the capsules to be prepared.

Rich in nutrients: Just like encapsulation, smoothies are believed to provide nutrients that may support energy levels, hormone regulation, and milk production.

This approach also lacks extensive scientific research, but the anecdotal reports continue to encourage its popularity. It’s essential to consult with a professional if you are considering this method, as it requires preparation and safety precautions to ensure cleanliness.

3. Placenta Tinctures and Remedies

For those interested in longer-term use, placenta tinctures are a potential option. Tinctures are created by steeping pieces of placenta in alcohol or vinegar for several weeks, after which the liquid is strained and stored. These tinctures are believed to have the same benefits as encapsulation, but they are preserved for extended use.

Potential Benefits of Placenta Tinctures:

Hormonal support: Just as with encapsulation, tinctures are thought to help with postnatal hormonal shifts.

A natural remedy: Some women prefer tinctures because they are a natural, non-pharmaceutical remedy for common postnatal issues such as fatigue or mood swings.

If you choose to make a placenta tincture, ensure that you do so under the guidance of a professional, as improper preparation can lead to contamination or ineffective tinctures.

4. Placenta Prints: A Sentimental Keepsake

If you are not interested in consuming your placenta, a placenta print is a beautiful, sentimental option. The placenta can be pressed onto paper or fabric to create a unique print that can serve as a lasting memory of your pregnancy.

Benefits of Placenta Prints:

A unique memory: Placenta prints are a way to commemorate your birth experience in a creative, personal way.

A bonding experience: Many women find the process of creating a placenta print a bonding experience, especially when they choose to involve their partner or other family members.

This is a non-invasive and artistic way to preserve your placenta without any consumption involved. Many antenatal clinics and birth centres offer placenta print services, so it’s worth asking your midwife about this option ahead of time.

5. Traditional Disposal or Donation

For some women, the simplest choice is to have the placenta disposed of in a traditional manner, either by the hospital or birth centre, or they may choose to donate it for medical research.

Benefits of Donation:

Medical research: Donating your placenta to medical research helps scientists study the placenta and its role in pregnancy. It can also contribute to the development of treatments for pregnancy-related conditions.

Environmental impact: Some women prefer to avoid consuming or preserving their placenta for sentimental or health reasons and choose donation as an environmentally responsible option.

Many hospitals and antenatal clinics will accept placenta donations, but it’s advisable to check in advance about the process and any requirements.

6. Placenta for Cosmetic Use

There has been a growing trend in using the placenta for cosmetic purposes, particularly in skincare products. Placenta is believed to have regenerative properties, and some cosmetic companies incorporate it into their products.

Benefits of Placenta in Cosmetics:

Skin regeneration: Placenta-based cosmetics are thought to promote skin regeneration, reduce scarring, and improve skin tone.

Natural product: Placenta-based cosmetics offer a natural alternative to synthetic skincare products, which may appeal to those interested in organic or holistic beauty routines.

If you’re considering using placenta for cosmetic purposes, ensure that you choose reputable products and brands that use ethical practices in sourcing and production.

How to Preserve and Handle Your Placenta

If you decide to keep your placenta for any of the above uses, it’s essential to handle it safely. Most antenatal clinics and midwives will offer guidance on how to safely store your placenta if you wish to keep it after birth. Here are some key steps for preserving your placenta:

Consult with your midwife or healthcare provider: Always inform your midwife or obstetrician ahead of time about your intentions regarding the placenta, as some hospitals may have specific policies about releasing it.

Proper storage: If you plan to consume your placenta (encapsulation, smoothies, etc.), it should be kept cool or frozen immediately after birth and before any processing takes place.

Professional assistance: If you’re opting for encapsulation or a placenta print, consider hiring a professional who specialises in these services. They will ensure proper hygiene and safety standards are maintained throughout the process.

Is It Safe to Keep or Consume Your Placenta?

While there are many reported benefits of placenta consumption, it is important to remember that scientific research on its efficacy is limited. Always consult your healthcare provider before deciding to keep or consume your placenta. Additionally, ensure that any services you use for preparation or storage meet proper health and safety standards to avoid the risk of contamination.

Conclusion

The decision of what to do with your placenta after birth is deeply personal. Whether you’re interested in prenatal care, postnatal support, or exploring natural remedies like prenatal massage and yoga for pregnancy, understanding all the options available to you will help you make an informed decision. In London, numerous resources are available to support you in safely and thoughtfully managing your placenta.

For those who are open to it, placenta encapsulation or placenta smoothies could provide some physical and emotional benefits during the postnatal period, while placenta prints offer a creative and sentimental keepsake. The choice is yours, and it’s essential to take time to consider all aspects of your health, both physical and emotional, when making this decision.