The placenta is an important organ that develops during pregnancy to provide oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby. After the baby is born, the placenta is delivered as well. This organ that sustained your baby for 9 months is often referred to as the “tree of life”. While its job is done after the birth, many new parents wonder what they should do with the placenta postpartum.
There are a few options for placental disposal after delivery including letting the hospital handle it, taking it home for burial or encapsulation, or donating it to science. Read on to learn more about the common choices and what might be best for you.
Let the hospital dispose of it
The easiest and most common option is to let your birthing facility take care of the placenta. Nearly all hospitals and birthing centers have procedures in place to handle medical waste disposal.
Unless you have made other arrangements, the placenta, umbilical cord, and amniotic membrane will be packaged as biohazardous waste and disposed of accordingly. This typically involves incineration. However, some hospitals may work with medical waste companies to handle biowaste disposal.
Hospital disposal is simple and straightforward. You don’t have to give it another thought after the birth. This makes it a stress-free choice for many families.
Pros:
- Easy and convenient
- No extra steps required by parents
- Handled in a safe, regulated manner
Cons:
- No ability to save cord blood or mementos
- Not an eco-friendly disposal method
Take it home for burial
Some parents choose to take the placenta home from the hospital for burial. Reasons for burial may include cultural traditions, spiritual beliefs, or a strong personal connection to the placenta.
If you want to take the placenta home for burial, inform your medical team as early as possible. Most hospitals have release forms to complete indicating what tissues you want to take after delivery. Make your wishes known to your doctor and birth attendant.
Once home, the placenta should be kept cool until buried. Double bagging and refrigeration is recommended. Burial is ideally done within 48 hours. Be sure to check local regulations where you live regarding home burial.
The placenta can be buried alone or alongside the umbilical cord and amniotic sac. Some families choose to plant a tree or plant over the burial spot as a symbol of new life.
Pros:
- Allows for honoring cultural or spiritual traditions
- Can provide a sense of closure after pregnancy
- Placenta nutrients may help plant growth if buried with a tree
Cons:
- Need to transport placenta home from hospital
- Proper storage is required before burial
- May be prohibited in some areas
Encapsulate the placenta
Placenta encapsulation has grown in popularity in recent years. This involves having the placenta steamed, dehydrated, ground into powder, and put into pills. The encapsulated placenta can then be ingested.
There are services that will handle the entire encapsulation process for you. Or some parents choose to DIY encapsulate at home. If using a professional service, the placenta is typically picked up from the hospital within 24 hours of birth.
Many advocates believe placenta capsules provide benefits like:
- Increased energy and quicker postpartum recovery
- Improved mood and reduced risk of postpartum depression
- Increased milk production
- Decreased postpartum bleeding
- Hormone regulation
However, there is limited scientific research to support these benefits at this time. Talk to your provider about whether placenta encapsulation is right for you.
Pros:
- Allows placenta nutrients to be ingested
- May provide purported benefits like increased energy
- Allows parents to feel connected to the placenta
Cons:
- Limited evidence on benefits
- Can be expensive if using a service
- Risk of contamination if done incorrectly
Donate to research or medical use
Some parents may find comfort in donating the placenta for scientific research or medical use after birth. There are a few options for placenta donation.
Donate for research
Many hospitals and universities accept placenta donations to advance research on pregnancy and childbirth. The placenta provides useful information on fetal development and health.
Research projects may involve analyzing placental structures, genetics, hormones, etc. Donations often aid research on complications like preeclampsia, preterm birth, and fetal growth restriction.
If donating to research, the hospital will handle transfer of the placenta to the research facilities or biobank.
Donate for medical training
Medical schools and training hospitals may also accept placenta donations for education and simulation purposes. Learning procedures like placental examination, umbilical cord blood collection, and cesarean section closure can be enhanced through use of real placentas.
Donate for therapies
Placental tissue contains growth factors, stem cells, and other components that are used to develop cell therapies. These emerging therapies may help treat conditions like diabetic ulcers and corneal damage.
Pros:
- Placenta supports scientific and medical advancement
- Can provide comfort knowing donation helps others
- Various research and donation options
Cons:
- No ability to keep placenta for encapsulation or memorial
- May not align with spiritual or cultural beliefs
- Limited availability of donation programs
Comparison of Placenta Disposal Options
Option | Pros | Cons |
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Hospital disposal |
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Burial |
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Encapsulation |
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Donation |
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Things to consider when deciding
Choosing what to do with your placenta after birth is a personal decision. Consider the following to help decide what feels right for you:
- Culture and tradition: Does your culture or religion recommend a certain placental practice? Consult with elders if this guidance is meaningful to you.
- Beliefs: What do you feel most comfortable with – burial, encapsulation, donation? Aligning with your beliefs is most important.
- Benefits: Do you hope to achieve benefits like increased milk supply or energy with encapsulation?
- Memorializing: Do you want to save a small portion for art or prints to honor the placenta?
- Convenience: Is an easy, hands-off hospital disposal preferred so you can focus on baby?
- Affordability: Can you afford placental encapsulation or storage services if desired?
- Regulations: Are there any state or local rules that prohibit certain placental practices?
Discuss your thoughts with your partner and care provider to determine what fits best with your views, needs, and circumstances.
How to prepare if taking placenta home
If you plan to take your placenta home after delivery, there are some important steps to prepare:
- Check with your hospital or birth center that placenta release is allowed. Some facilities prohibit release due to legal concerns.
- Alert your prenatal care provider of your plans early in pregnancy so they can assist.
- Obtain and complete any release forms required by the hospital.
- Arrange for transportation and storage – a cooler with ice packs is optimal.
- Make sure intended handling (encapsulation, burial) complies with local regulations.
- Have all supplies needed for encapsulation or burial ready at home before delivery.
Taking the placenta home requires some advance planning and preparation. Give yourself enough time to make arrangements and gather any necessary equipment or supplies.
Conclusion
What to do with the placenta after childbirth is a very personal choice that should align with your beliefs, needs, and plans for postpartum recovery. From respectful burial to beneficial encapsulation to generous donation, there are many options to thoughtfully honor this special organ that gave your baby life.
Consult with both medical and community supports as you make this decision. And remember there is no right or wrong – pick the option that feels most meaningful and manageable for your family.