During pregnancy, there’s a lot
of talk about the placenta, and for good reason: it is quite the powerhouse! It
plays a major role in your pregnancy health and the health of the fetus and is
a unique and fascinating organ in itself. In more earthy circles, the placenta
is also nicknamed the “tree of life”—partly because its function is
life-sustaining, but also because when looking at it, the veins do resemble a
tree.
What Is the Placenta?
The placenta is a pancake-like
organ that attaches to the inside of the uterus during pregnancy. The umbilical
cord connects the fetus to the placenta so that nutrients, blood, and oxygen
can get to the fetus from the mother. It also helps remove waste from the
fetus’s blood. The placenta also produces hormones related to pregnancy,
like human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone, and
estrogen. The placenta has two components to it: the maternal side of the
placenta and the fetal side of the placenta. The maternal placenta is derived
from uterine tissue, and the fetal placenta originates from the blastocyst that
becomes the fetus.
After the baby is birthed, the
third stage of labor is the delivery of the placenta. Your uterus will likely continue
contracting after the baby is born, to help you expel the placenta. This
happens a few minutes to a half-hour after birth. Your doctor will examine it
to make sure there are no abnormalities, and that it’s intact and nothing
remains in your uterus of the placenta (this is known as a retained
placenta, and can be dangerous).
Some people choose to keep their
baby attached to the placenta for a bit post-birth. This is called a lotus
birth. In a lotus birth, the umbilical cord is not cut, so the baby remains
attached to the placenta. The cord will naturally break off anywhere between
3-10 days after birth. This practice is done in some other mammalian species
and has been found in birth anthropology. It is much less common in the West
and it is typically actively discouraged due to concerns for infection.
Placenta Complications
During pregnancy, a typical
placenta will attach to the inside of the uterus, usually on the upper part,
away from the cervix. It can attach to the front or back, which is normal—but
if it starts to cover the area near the cervix, this is a problem.
Placental abruption occurs
when the placenta separates from the uterine wall prior to delivery; this can
be partial or complete. When this happens, the oxygen and nutrient supply to
the fetus is reduced or cut off, and hemorrhaging may occur in the mother.
Signs of a possible abruption can include vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain,
contractions, and a firm abdomen.
Placenta previa is
a condition in which the placenta covers all or a portion of the cervix, which
is the opening to the uterus. If the condition is found during early pregnancy
or the second trimester, it’s still possible for the placenta to move out of
the way as the uterus continues to grow. When placenta previa persists into the
last trimester or later in the pregnancy it becomes more of a cause for
concern. Placenta previa is dangerous because as you get closer to the start of
labor, the cervix thins out and dilates. The placenta or blood vessels in the
placenta might tear or be damaged, causing excessive bleeding. Vaginal bleeding
is the most common symptom, and an ultrasound can determine whether placenta
previa is present.
Another complication is placenta
accreta, and it is a very serious one. This condition involves the placenta
not detaching properly from the uterine wall after birth, with either all or
part of it remaining attached. If the placenta attaches to the muscles of the
uterus, it is called placenta increta; if it grows through the uterine wall, it
is called placenta percreta. Placenta accreta is often asymptomatic during
pregnancy, although it can cause some third trimester vaginal bleeding.
If part or all of the placenta stays
in the uterus after it’s delivered, this is a retained placenta and can be
life-threatening—but it is treatable. If the placenta isn’t naturally
expelled, the doctor or midwife will help you deliver it. Once it’s out, as
mentioned, she will examine it to make sure it is whole. If part or all is
retained, the risk of hemorrhage and infection increases. In order to get the
placenta out, sometimes you’ll be encouraged to breastfeed since the uterus
contracts while you nurse. Other times, medications might be given to help the
uterus contract, or the doctor might remove the placenta manually. If nothing
works, surgery might be necessary, although this is often only used as a last
resort because of the potential complications from surgery.
Should You Eat Your Placenta?
There’s been lots of hype
recently about eating your placenta, usually in the form of
capsules. Celebrities and everyday moms alike have touted the benefits of
eating the placenta. Animals routinely consume the placenta after birth, and
Chinese medicine has been an advocate of the practice for ages. Called
placentophagy, it has been said to help boost milk supply, help with
postpartum depression and hormone imbalances, and reduce the risk of
anemia. The evidence on whether there’s any real benefit is mixed, and studies
done by traditional medical doctors haven’t found any benefit. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention put out a warning about eating the
placenta, especially when there is infection with Group B strep.
If you’re interested in placenta
encapsulation and consumption, talk with your doctor or midwife. Make sure that
the person encapsulating is certified and follows all guidelines for safe
encapsulation. Educate yourself about the potential benefits and possible
drawbacks of consumption, and if you notice any side effects when taking it,
call your doctor immediately.
