The placenta is a temporary organ that develops during pregnancy, serving as the interface between the mother and the fetus for nutrient, gas, and waste exchange. After birth, parents face the decision of how to handle this organ, which is often deeply personal and influenced by cultural, spiritual, or health-related beliefs. While the medical system has standard procedures for disposal, choosing to take the placenta home requires careful planning and adherence to safety protocols. This guide explores the various paths for the placenta after delivery, including institutional disposal, personal preparation, and ceremonial burial.
Standard Hospital Procedures and Release
In a hospital or birthing center setting, the default procedure is to treat the placenta as medical or anatomical waste, which is generally disposed of through incineration. This is done to uphold public health standards, as the organ contains blood and other biological materials that can host pathogens.
Parents who wish to keep the placenta must inform their care team, including their doctor or midwife, well in advance of the birth. This request triggers a specific set of legal and logistical steps, often requiring the parents to sign a release or waiver form. By signing this document, the parents assume full responsibility for the organ’s safe handling, transport, and final disposal once it leaves the facility.
The hospital may decline the release under certain circumstances, such as if the mother has a known infectious disease like HIV or Hepatitis, or if a pathology examination is required due to complications during the birth. If a pathology analysis is performed, the placenta may be released later, but it must not have been preserved with formalin, a chemical fixative that makes it unsafe for consumption. The placenta must be securely sealed in a leak-proof container and removed from the premises quickly.
Processing for Consumption
One of the most common personal uses for the placenta is preparation for ingestion, typically in capsule form, a practice known as placentophagy. This process involves cleaning, preparing, dehydrating, grinding, and encapsulating the tissue. Many families choose to hire a trained placenta specialist or doula for this work due to the complex steps and safety requirements.
Two main preparation methods are utilized: the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) method and the raw method. The TCM approach involves gently steaming the placenta, often with warming herbs like ginger and lemon, until its internal temperature reaches 135 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. This steaming step is a food safety measure designed to destroy potential bacteria, such as Group B Streptococcus, before the tissue is dehydrated.
The raw method bypasses the steaming step before dehydration, which proponents believe retains a higher concentration of certain heat-sensitive nutrients and hormones. For both methods, the placenta is sliced thinly and placed in a food dehydrator, typically at a temperature of 105 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, for 8 to 24 hours until it is completely brittle. Once fully dry, the tissue is ground into a fine powder and placed into vegetarian or gelatin capsules for consumption.
Burial and Ceremonial Practices
For many families, the preferred method of disposal is a ceremonial burial, which holds significant cultural and spiritual meaning, often symbolizing the child’s connection to the earth. In this practice, the placenta is returned to the ground, sometimes planted beneath a new tree or shrub to create a living memorial.
The placenta is classified as human tissue, and laws governing its disposal are designed to protect public health. It is illegal in most places to place it in standard household trash. If the placenta is to be buried, it should be done on private property, as public places like parks or beaches are typically prohibited. Always check with your local municipality or council for specific zoning or public health guidelines before burial.
To ensure environmental safety and prevent animals from uncovering the organ, the burial site must be at a significant depth, with one meter (about three feet) often recommended as a minimum. The placenta should be removed from any plastic transport bags and placed directly into the earth or a biodegradable container. Choosing a site away from utility lines and water sources is also a practical step to maintain the integrity of the area.
Safe Handling and Storage Guidelines
Regardless of whether the placenta will be consumed or buried, immediate and proper handling is necessary to prevent spoilage and bacterial growth. Since the organ is a biological material rich in blood, it must be treated like raw meat from a food safety perspective. The placenta must be chilled or refrigerated as soon as possible after delivery, ideally within two hours, as it quickly begins to deteriorate at room temperature.
For transport from the birthing location, the placenta must be placed in a sealed, leak-proof, food-grade container, often double-bagged and kept in a cooler packed with ice or frozen gel packs. Once home, the placenta should be stored in a dedicated refrigerator or kept away from other food items. If it cannot be processed or buried within 48 to 72 hours, it should be frozen in an airtight container to preserve its quality and safety.
Anyone handling the placenta should observe strict sanitation practices, including wearing protective gloves and thoroughly washing hands and all surfaces with hot, soapy water immediately after contact.