You\u2019ve maybe heard of cord blood banking and even cord tissue banking, but have you heard of placenta banking? Often thrown away as medical waste, the placenta is a valuable source of stem cells.<\/p>\n
Curious about storing it? Let us be your guide.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”H2: What is the Placenta?” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n
If you have had children or are currently expecting a baby, you are probably well aware of what the placenta is. However, here is a very quick refresher.<\/p>\n
The placenta is an organ that grows during your pregnancy. It attaches to the wall of the uterus and is where the umbilical cord comes from. The structure passes nutrients and oxygen to the baby while also removing waste. It keeps the mother\u2019s and baby\u2019s blood separate, produces hormones during pregnancy and closer to the end of pregnancy passes antibodies to the baby<\/p>\n
Once your baby is born the placenta comes away and is delivered during the third stage of labour. This can happen within 5 \u2013 30 minutes after birth, but it can take up to an hour. During a C Section, the doctor will remove the placenta in the process.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”H2: Can you keep your placenta?” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n
The simple answer is yes unless there is a medical reason that requires the hospital to keep or dispose of the placenta you can (to a degree) do as you wish with it.<\/p>\n
To do this, get it in writing. Make a note of your plan in your birth plan, speak with your doctors, and midwife and get them to note it too. When you arrive at the hospital once you are in labour remind the staff there of your plan too. There is a good chance you will have to sign a release form as well that the hospital should provide.<\/p>\n
Lastly, ensure you assign someone to be in charge of the placenta. This can be your birth partner, doula, or any support person you have on hand. You will be busy focusing on a million other things so put someone else in charge of ensuring the placenta is kept and looked after for you.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”H2: What can I do with it?” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n
The difficult part comes as there are multiple options of what to do with your placenta. There are now several options for what to do with your placenta.<\/p>\n
–\u00a0Consumption<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 The one that immediately comes to mind for most people is eating your placenta. Some people eat it as is or mixed into smoothies, other will have it turned into pills or liquid to be taken like vitamins.<\/p>\n