Consider the Placenta
Placental Physiology
The placenta is an organ that grows inside the uterus during pregnancy that, through the umbilical cord, links the baby to the mother’s bloodstream in order to supply nutrients and oxygen to the growing fetus. Unlike any other organ in the human body, placentas have a temporary lifespan and exist only for the purpose of growing a baby. Arteries in the mother’s uterus pool at the placental attachment site, becoming loose and vein-like in that they do not continue to constrict like other arteries. This pooling blood bathes the placental membranes, where, without mixing the two blood supplies, nutrients and oxygen are transported into fetal circulation. The placenta also produces hormones that support the pregnancy, and filters wastes such as carbon dioxide out of the baby’s bloodstream. The placenta serves as a barrier to many toxins for the baby, preventing many harmful substances from reaching the baby. The placenta does not filter all chemicals, however, and substances like alcohol and some prescription drugs can reach the baby. By the end of pregnancy, the placenta is a large, thick organ, about the size of a salad plate. Within a few minutes of the birth, the mother’s body sheds the placenta and it too is born. The mother’s uterus then clamps down, pinching off the loose arteries. If you wish to view your placenta after the birth, we encourage you to ask your care provider to show it to you, if for no other reason than for educational or anatomical learning. If you birth in a hospital, it will likely be thrown away shortly after the birth, unless you exercise your right to keep it. Many parents are not informed about the uses and interesting traditions surrounding placentas. Perhaps this amazing organ deserves a little more thought and attention!
Cutting of the cord
Part of a physiologically healthy birth experience for the baby involves receiving all of his or her rightful blood supply. After the baby is born, while the placenta is still attached to the mother, much of baby’s blood is still circulating in the placenta, continuing to collect oxygen from the mother’s blood. This helps the baby ease into the new task of breathing air. The cord continues to pulse, pumping the baby’s blood into bodily circulation and out of the placenta. We believe it is important to delay the cutting of the cord until after it is finished pulsing. Studies have shown that allowing the newborn to reincorporate much of this blood into his or her own circulation helps regulate breath rate, heart rate and body temperature, reduces the risk of jaundice, and has also shown to contribute to an easier breastfeeding experience for the newborn. If in considering these facts choosing to delay cord cutting feels important to you, you can speak to your care provider about this issue, or write your wishes into your birth plan.
Burial
The ancient tradition of burying the placenta after birth still exists in many cultures around the world, in places as diverse as the Andes, Indonesia, Turkey, The Pacific Islands, Europe, New Zealand and Sudan. This tradition is regaining popularity in the United States. Some people plant a special tree or plant over the placenta, a tree that has special meaning for the child. If you like the idea of planting your placenta, here are a few tips: bury it deeply so as not to attract dogs or wild animals; also, if the placenta is frozen, thaw it completely before burial to prevent damaging the roots of the plants.
Art Prints
Another interesting idea is to make a print of the placenta. The true beauty of the placenta can be artfully displayed or kept in a baby book. The placenta has long been nicknamed “The Tree of life” because of the pattern the blood vessels make fanning out from the umbilical cord insertion. Some people gently press the fresh placenta on to watercolor paper so that blood imprint preserves the image of this beautiful organ. Others clean and dry the placenta thoroughly, and use ink or paint to accentuate the print.
Encapsulation
Traditional Chinese Medicine designates many healing properties to the placenta which helps speed recovery after childbirth. It is used to strengthen the kidneys, balance hormones, and bring in abundant milk. The medicine of the placenta is characterized as warming, bringing heat back to the mother’s body after physical exertion. The placenta also contains iron, a restorative nutrient considering the normal loss of blood and qi following childbirth, but can be especially beneficial in the event of hemorrhage. Many women are interested in consuming their placenta after childbirth because of the many healing and nourishing properties, but can’t quite stomach the idea of eating it. That’s one reason that making placenta capsules is becoming more popular. The fresh placenta is dried, powdered, and put into capsules, and can be taken for several weeks during the postpartum period. The powder infused in oil can also be used on diaper rash!
Cord Keepsake
The umbilical cord can also be dried and kept as a keepsake. It is a relatively common practice in many parts of Asia to this day. Keeping a charm made from the cord is believed by people from around the world to offer protection and good luck to the child. To preserve the cord, it can be wound into a spiral or heart or wreath and dried.
