People keep the placenta to consume it for potential hormonal balance, plant it as a tradition, or preserve it as a keepsake of birth.
The birth of a child brings many decisions, from naming the baby to choosing a pediatrician. One question that surprises many new parents is what to do with the afterbirth. In the past, hospitals automatically discarded this organ as medical waste. Today, more families ask to take it home. The reasons range from deep cultural traditions to modern wellness trends involving consumption.
Understanding the motivation behind this choice helps normalize what might seem like an unusual request. For some, the placenta represents a physical connection to the unborn baby. For others, it holds potential nutrients they believe aid recovery. This guide examines the varied reasons parents choose to keep this organ, the methods they use, and the safety factors every family must consider.
The Rising Interest in Placentophagy
Placentophagy, or the act of eating the placenta, has moved from the fringes of natural birth communities into mainstream conversations. Celebrity endorsements and social media stories drive much of this curiosity. Proponents claim that consuming the organ helps replenish nutrients lost during childbirth. They often cite the fact that most mammals in the wild consume their afterbirth immediately.
Human placentophagy typically involves preparation rather than raw consumption. New mothers often hire specialists to process the organ. The belief is that the placenta, which sustained the baby for nine months, retains high levels of iron, vitamin B12, and hormones. Advocates suggest these components can smooth the transition into motherhood by stabilizing mood and boosting energy.
Forms of Consumption
The most common method is encapsulation. A specialist steams, dehydrates, and grinds the placenta into a fine powder. This powder goes into standard vegetable capsules. This method allows the parent to ingest the organ without seeing or tasting it directly. It feels similar to taking a daily vitamin supplement.
Other methods exist for those comfortable with stronger flavors. Some parents blend a small piece of raw placenta into fruit smoothies. The fruit masks the taste while preserving the raw enzymes. Tinctures are another option, where a piece of the organ steeps in high-proof alcohol for weeks. This creates a potent liquid that users can store for years, often saving it for menopause or times of hormonal stress.
Why Do People Keep the Placenta?
Beyond consumption, the question of “Why Do People Keep the Placenta?” often leads to answers rooted in respect and biology. This organ is the only one the human body grows for a specific purpose and then discards. It functions as the baby’s lungs, kidneys, and liver in the womb. Discarding it as mere waste feels wrong to many parents.
Keeping the placenta allows families to honor its role. It serves as a physical reminder of the pregnancy. Even if they do not plan to eat it, they may not want it incinerated at the hospital. Taking it home gives them control over its final resting place. This act of ownership empowers parents, reinforcing their role as the primary caretakers of everything related to their child’s birth.
Connection to the Birth Experience
For parents who experienced a traumatic birth or a C-section, keeping the placenta can offer closure. Processing or burying the organ provides a ritual that marks the end of pregnancy. It allows the birthing person to inspect the organ that connected them to their baby. Seeing the fetal side, with its network of veins often called the “Tree of Life,” can be a profound moment of realization and gratitude.
Common Methods of Using the Placenta
Parents choose different paths for their placenta based on their goals. The table below outlines the primary methods and the intent behind each choice.
| Method | Description | Primary Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| Encapsulation | Steamed, dried, and ground into pills. | Hormonal balance and mood support. |
| Burial/Planting | Returned to the earth, often under a tree. | Cultural tradition and honoring life. |
| Raw Consumption | Blended into smoothies or meals. | Maximum nutrient retention. |
| Tincture | Steeped in alcohol for long-term storage. | Long-lasting hormonal support. |
| Keepsake Art | Dried prints or jewelry made from the cord. | Creating a physical memory. |
| Lotus Birth | Left attached to the baby until it falls off. | Gentle transition for the newborn. |
| Donation | Given to research or training dogs. | Advancing science or helping others. |
Cultural and Spiritual Traditions
In many cultures, the placenta holds a spiritual status equal to the baby itself. It is not seen as medical waste but as a twin, a sibling, or a part of the child’s soul. These beliefs dictate strict rituals for disposal to ensure the health and safety of the child.
Burial Rituals Around the World
The Māori people of New Zealand apply the word “whenua” to both the placenta and the land. They bury the organ in their ancestral soil to establish a lifelong connection between the newborn and their heritage. This act signifies that the child belongs to the land and will always have a place to return.
In Bali, the placenta is considered the baby’s physical guardian angel. Fathers often bury it wrapped in cloth, placing it on the right side of the family home for a boy and the left for a girl. In Navajo tradition, families bury the placenta within the sacred four corners region to ensure the child always returns home. These rituals emphasize respect and gratitude, treating the organ as a sacred vessel.
The Practice of Lotus Birth
Lotus birth, or umbilical non-severance, takes keeping the placenta to the extreme. Instead of cutting the cord, parents leave the placenta attached to the baby until it detaches naturally, which takes three to ten days. The organ is washed, salted, and wrapped in herbs to prevent odor.
Proponents believe this allows for a complete transfer of placental blood to the baby and a gentle entry into the world. It requires the parents to carry the placenta alongside the baby, limiting movement and encouraging a quiet, slow postpartum period. Critics point to the risk of infection, as the dead tissue remains attached to the newborn.
Potential Benefits Reported by Parents
Mothers who consume their placenta often report positive outcomes. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the practice prevents the “baby blues” and increases milk production. The theory is that the sudden drop in hormones after birth contributes to depression. Reintroducing the placenta’s hormones might soften this crash.
Hormonal Balance Claims
The placenta contains oxytocin, progesterone, and estrogen. Supporters argue that ingesting these hormones helps the uterus shrink back to size and boosts the bonding instinct. While scientific backing is thin, the placebo effect can be powerful. If a new parent feels proactive about their recovery, that mindset alone can improve their experience. For mothers looking to balance their postpartum system without pills, focusing on foods that support hormonal health can be a safer, proven alternative.
Nutritional Claims
Iron deficiency is common after childbirth due to blood loss. The placenta is rich in iron. Some small studies show that encapsulated placenta contains iron, but it may not be enough to treat anemia on its own. Parents often combine placentophagy with a diet rich in leafy greens and proteins to ensure they get adequate nutrition.
What Medical Experts Say
The medical community generally views placentophagy with caution. Hospitals often require parents to sign release forms acknowledging the risks of taking biological waste home. The primary concern is infection.
The CDC Warning
Safety became a major topic after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a case report involving a newborn with a Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection. The investigation revealed that the mother had been consuming placenta capsules containing the bacteria. The process of dehydration had not been sufficient to kill the pathogens. This led to a formal warning advising against placenta capsule ingestion.
This case highlights the lack of regulation in the encapsulation industry. Since no federal standards exist for processing placenta for consumption, safety relies entirely on the individual processor. If the organ is not steamed to a high enough temperature or if the equipment is not sterilized, harmful bacteria can survive.
Mayo Clinic Stance
Experts at the Mayo Clinic reiterate that there is no proven health benefit to eating the placenta. They point out that the organ acts as a filter, keeping harmful substances away from the baby. Consequently, it may contain accumulated toxins, heavy metals like cadmium and mercury, and bacteria. They advise parents to weigh these known risks against the unproven benefits.
Understanding the Risks vs. Reported Benefits
Making an informed decision requires looking at both sides. The table below compares what parents hope to gain with what science has identified as potential dangers.
| Claimed Benefit | Scientific/Medical Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Increased Energy | bacterial Infection | Improper heating fails to kill GBS and other pathogens. |
| Mood Stabilization | Toxin Exposure | Placenta accumulates heavy metals during pregnancy. |
| Milk Supply Boost | Estrogen Exposure | Added hormones might increase blood clot risk. |
| Pain Relief | Viral Transmission | Risk of blood-borne viruses (HIV, Hepatitis) if cross-contaminated. |
| Iron Replenishment | Minimal Iron Gain | Studies show capsules provide only a fraction of daily iron needs. |
Safe Handling and Storage
If you decide to keep the placenta, proper handling begins in the delivery room. The organ is meat and spoils quickly. If it sits at room temperature for too long, it becomes unsafe for consumption or planting.
Refrigeration Rules
Bring a cooler to the hospital if you plan to transport it yourself. The placenta should be placed on ice within one to two hours of birth. It can stay in a refrigerator for up to three days. If you cannot process or bury it within that window, you must move it to a freezer.
Freezing for Later
Double-bag the placenta in leak-proof freezer bags. Label the bag clearly with the date and contents. It can remain frozen for up to six months for consumption purposes, or longer if meant for burial. When thawing, do so in the refrigerator, never on the counter, to prevent bacterial growth.
Why Do People Keep the Placenta?
Asking “Why Do People Keep the Placenta?” reveals a shift in how society views birth. It is no longer just a medical event but a holistic experience. Parents want to own every part of the process. Keeping the placenta is an assertion of autonomy. It rejects the idea that a part of their body is waste.
This choice often aligns with a broader natural parenting philosophy. Families who choose home births, cloth diapering, and extended breastfeeding are more likely to keep the placenta. It fits into a worldview that values natural biological processes and traditional wisdom over clinical standardization.
Alternatives to Consumption
For those who want to honor the placenta without eating it, several creative and meaningful options exist. These methods avoid the medical risks while still preserving the memory.
Jewelry and Art
Placenta prints are a popular keepsake. The fresh organ is pressed onto acid-free paper, creating a print that looks like a tree. The blood creates the color, or food-safe dyes can be used. After the print is made, the placenta can still be buried.
Some artisans cure pieces of the placenta and set them into resin to make jewelry. Rings, pendants, and beads can contain small flecks of the preserved organ. This allows the mother to keep the connection close physically without ingesting it.
Planting a Memorial Tree
Burying the placenta under a young tree is a beautiful way to mark the birth. As the tree grows, it feeds on the nutrients released by the decomposing organ. Parents often choose a fruit tree or a flowering bush that blooms around the child’s birthday. This creates a living monument that the child can visit and care for as they grow up.
This option requires some preparation. The placenta should be buried deep enough (at least two feet) so that animals do not dig it up. Mixing wood ash or lime into the soil can help balance the pH levels, as the breaking down of tissue can be too rich for some young roots directly.
Final Thoughts
The decision to keep the placenta is personal. It bridges the gap between biological necessity and emotional ritual. Whether a family chooses to encapsulate it, plant it, or simply create art from it, the act signifies deep respect for the journey of pregnancy. By understanding the safety protocols and cultural history, parents can make a choice that honors their new child and their own recovery in a way that feels right for them.