Not many people give much thought to the placenta. It is a complex and marvelous organ that is often overlooked and forgotten about. The placenta begins its growth journey at conception where it will eventually be able to take over production of the hormones that are responsible for sustaining pregnancy. This generally occurs around the twelfth week. The growing fetus receives all the nutrients it needs from the placenta. The placenta also works as a massive filter to remove all the baby's waste product. Genetically the placenta is two people. It consists of both fetal and maternal cells. The placenta secretes Neurokinin B. Neurokinin B acts as a force field protecting the baby from the mother's immune system. This is the same mechanism that parasites use. The placenta also starts and maintains labor. Once the baby's adrenal glands have fully matured the baby begins to release cortisone. After this this happens the cortisone forces the placenta to convert estrogen into progesterone. The sudden increase in the progesterone causes production of prostogladins. Once the prostogladins are produced the uterus begins to contract.
More traditional midwives, particularly in other cultures, see the third stage of labor, or the birthing of the placenta, as an important part of the whole birth package. These midwives favor natural methods of encouraging the placenta to detach, rather than resorting to drugs. These methods range from encouraging the mother to cough or breathe out forcefully, to nipple stimulation through breastfeeding the newborn. Instead of cutting the umbilical cord as soon as the baby is born, they wait until the baby's breathing is well established. As long as the cord remains attached, a maximum amount of blood flows out of the placenta so that its volume reduces and it can detach more easily.
It is the powerful, life-giving role of the placenta that has led many cultures to see it as a mystical organ that is to be cherished and honored. In some cultures, it is seen as the baby's twin, companion, or even mother, believed to have its own spirit that must be appeased. Various traditions and rituals surrounding the use of the placenta grew because of these beliefs. Some of these traditions are growing more popular in Western culture today as parents become more aware of the benefits of actively connecting with each stage of the birthing experience, for the new baby as well as for the rest of the immediate family.
Through the ages, the placenta has been honored in a variety of ways across the world. As with other aspects of natural birthing, it is the quest of modern parents to rediscover these rituals and traditions, and then decide which best suits their family and living circumstances.
If you are looking for a way to honor your baby's placenta and cherish the third stage of labor, you may find it helpful to start with a blank canvas and begin by selecting a few ideas that resonate with you and fit in with your family character and beliefs, perhaps adjusting it here and there to suit the practicalities of modern life.
This is a ritual that has long been observed in many countries. For nine months, the placenta acted as the life-giving force in the womb, and this is now transferred to the ground where the placenta can nurture the soil. Interestingly, the word whenua in Maori means land as well as placenta, and illustrates the connection between the two in this particular culture. Burying the placenta under a tree is symbolic because of the image of the placenta as the tree of life. Some cultures also burn the placenta, often with the same idea of returning the life force to nurture the land.
If you choose to bury or burn the placenta, you will need to think of a suitable spot. It may present a challenge to find an area of land with some significance for your family if you don't have your own garden.
As well as nourishing the baby, the placenta contains natural oxytocins that help it contract after the birth, as well as many hormones. It is thought that these chemicals can help repair hormonal imbalances in the mother, as well as encourage the flow of breastmilk, which is why mothers through the ages have routinely consumed their placentas in a variety of ways. There are many recipes out there ranging from placenta stew to placenta lasagna to placenta power shake. Some women prefer to eat the placenta on its own. Cooked placenta has been described as dense and spongy much like liver. Another way to enjoy the benefits of the placenta without having to chew it is to place it in capsules. The placenta is cleaned, cooked, and then dehydrated. Once dehydrated it is turned into a powder and placed in capsules. These capsules can also be placed in the freezer and used during menopause to help with those unwanted side effects.
Prints using the placenta are becoming more popular. The side that was attached to the mother is bumpy and course; the other is softer, so you can experiment with different textures. The placenta can be placed on a sheet of thick paper and will leave a tree shaped print once removed if the cord is left hanging down. This can then be painted over using the placental blood that will later turn brown, or it may be filled in or traced over using ink. Instead of an actual print, some mothers prefer to do more original artwork using the blood.
Tips for Using Placenta
Read, Research, DiscussFind out as much as you can about your options for using the placenta. Think about symbolism as well as your personal reasons for celebrating the third stage of labor. Try to involve the whole family in the decision-making process. Then make sure whoever will be present at the birth is aware of your plans. Write them into your birth plan, particularly if you are having a hospital delivery and may not know which midwife will be on duty that day.
Be Practical
Make sure there is a suitable container or wrapping for the placenta. If you wish to use the fresh placenta you should do so within about five days of the birth, so you will need to have prepared art materials, or whatever you have chosen to use, before the birth. You can refrigerate the placenta, but this will affect the texture and shape if you want to do artwork. If you need some time to decide on your plans, you can put the placenta in the freezer to defrost at a later date.
Be PreparedYou may move or have more children. If possible, try to accommodate changes. For instance, bury the placenta in a pot that can be transported elsewhere, or leave space nearby for the addition of future placentas. For artwork, you may wish to buy more than one identical picture frame or sheet of special paper, so that the placenta print of a sibling can match.
Decide What to TellGenerally people won't ask, "So what are you doing with the placenta?" so it is up to you whether or not you wish to share your plans. You may wish to be armed with a few scientific or anthropological details about why you chose to use the placenta, but don't feel you need to justify your decision or even talk about it if you would prefer not to.
