The placenta is a temporary organ that forms during pregnancy, acting as the life-support system connecting the mother and fetus, delivering oxygen and nutrients while removing waste. Once the baby is born, the placenta, often called the afterbirth, is expelled and its biological function is complete. Parents are then presented with a choice regarding its fate, which ranges from standard medical disposal to personal, cultural, and medical options.
Default Medical Disposal Procedures
When no specific request is made by the parents, the hospital or birthing center classifies the placenta as anatomical or biomedical waste. This means the placenta is handled with specific procedures designed for the safe disposal of human tissue. The standard practice involves placing the organ in a designated biohazard bag and then transporting it for incineration, a common method for destroying medical waste.
The placenta is not always immediately discarded, as it may be sent to the pathology laboratory for detailed examination. If complications or abnormalities were noted, the placenta is analyzed to provide information about the health of the newborn or to assist in planning future pregnancies. Once any necessary testing is complete, the hospital proceeds with the standard disposal process, unless the parents have requested to take the placenta home.
Placentophagy: Consumption and Encapsulation
Placentophagy is the practice of ingesting the placenta after birth, a behavior observed widely in the mammalian world, though scientific evidence for its benefits in humans remains limited. The most common method of consumption is encapsulation, where the placenta is prepared into a powder and placed into capsules for the mother to take as a supplement.
The encapsulation process typically involves steaming the placenta, dehydrating it completely, grinding the dry tissue into a fine powder, and then filling gelatin capsules. Proponents suggest it can help stabilize mood, increase energy levels, and enhance milk supply by replenishing iron stores and hormones lost during birth. However, scientific reviews have found no robust evidence to support these clinical benefits, noting that the levels of nutrients and hormones retained after preparation are often insufficient.
The medical community, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cautions against placentophagy due to safety concerns. Improper handling and preparation, such as inadequate heating during dehydration, can fail to eradicate infectious pathogens like Group B Streptococcus. A documented case highlighted the risk when contaminated capsules led to a recurrent infection in a newborn via breast milk. Furthermore, the placenta acts as a filter during pregnancy and may contain accumulated heavy metals that are then ingested.
Ceremonial Practices and Commemorative Keepsakes
Many families choose to honor the placenta’s role by engaging in ceremonial practices or transforming it into physical mementos.
Placenta Burial
Placenta burial is a long-standing tradition in various cultures worldwide, symbolizing the child’s connection to the earth and their heritage. Parents often bury the placenta in a chosen spot, sometimes planting a tree or shrub over it, which is seen as creating a “Tree of Life” to grow alongside the child.
The burial location can hold specific meaning, such as the Maori tradition of burying the whenua (placenta) on tribal land to root the child to their home. The process involves wrapping the placenta in a biodegradable material and burying it at a sufficient depth to prevent disturbance. This practice is a symbolic act of respect for the organ that sustained the pregnancy.
Keepsakes and Mementos
Physical keepsakes offer a lasting, tangible reminder of the connection between mother and child. Placenta prints are created by using the organ’s natural blood or food-grade dyes to stamp an impression onto paper, which often resembles a tree with branches formed by the blood vessels. This art piece is often called a “Tree of Life” print.
Other mementos include:
- Umbilical cord keepsakes, where the cord is dried and shaped into a heart or spiral.
- Jewelry, made by drying and pulverizing a small piece of the placenta, which is then encased in resin to create a unique stone for a necklace or bracelet.
Donation for Medical Research and Banking
The placenta and its associated tissues can be donated for medical and scientific purposes, contributing to public health and research. The placenta and umbilical cord contain valuable cells, including hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are being studied in numerous clinical trials for various conditions.
Donation takes two distinct forms: public banking and private banking.
Public Banking
Public cord blood banks accept the umbilical cord blood and tissue as a donation for use by any patient needing a stem cell transplant. This altruistic option is free for the donor, but the family relinquishes ownership. The cells are made available on international registries for matching patients worldwide.
Private Banking
Private banking is a paid service where families store the cord blood and sometimes the cord or placenta tissue for their child’s or a compatible family member’s exclusive future use. This option is often marketed as “biological insurance,” ensuring the stem cells are reserved only for the family, although the likelihood of a child needing their own stored cells remains low. Both banking options require arrangements to be made well before birth, as collection must happen immediately after delivery.