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Writer's pictureRoxanne Pollard

The Power of the Placenta: Honouring Its Vital Role During Pregnancy and Beyond

The placenta is truly remarkable - a temporary organ that works tirelessly to nourish and sustain your baby throughout pregnancy. But its value doesn’t stop once the baby is born. Many new mothers are beginning to recognise the placenta’s continued role postpartum and are exploring different ways to honour or utilise it after birth.


During pregnancy, the placenta functions as a life sustaining connection between you and your baby, delivering oxygen, nutrients and hormones while also removing waste. It’s a protector too, filtering out certain harmful substances and helping your baby’s immune system develop.


The placenta is also thought to influence fetal brain development and to regulate your hormones throughout pregnancy, to prepare your body for birth.


After your baby arrives, the placenta still holds immense value. In some cultures, it’s considered sacred and treated with reverence, while others view it as an opportunity to support postpartum recovery.


One popular option is placenta encapsulation. This process involves dehydrating and grinding the placenta into capsules that many mothers take in the weeks following birth. Although scientific research is still limited on the exact benefits, some believe that it helps balance postpartum hormones, improves mood and supports milk production.



Beyond encapsulation, some families choose to plant the placenta as part of a tree ceremony, symbolising the continuation of life and growth.


For others, donating the placenta to scientific research offers a way to contribute to advances in maternal health, particularly in areas like pre-eclampsia and postpartum recovery. Studies on the placenta have shed light on pregnancy complications, helping scientists understand more about conditions like placenta accreta and gestational hypertension.



Whether you choose to encapsulate, plant, or donate your placenta, its value is undeniable. The placenta’s influence during pregnancy and its potential postpartum uses remind us of the extraordinary processes that take place to nurture new life.


Recent studies have highlighted the growing recognition of the placenta's value among scientists and hospitals, with discussions focused on its potential uses post-birth.


Once largely discarded as medical waste, the placenta is now seen as a rich source of stem cells, growth factors, and biological materials that could aid in medical treatments, healing, and regenerative medicine.


Placental tissues contain mesenchymal stem cells, which are capable of repairing damaged tissues and organs. These stem cells are being explored for their potential in treating conditions like neurological disorders, heart disease, and immune system dysfunctions.


Additionally, placental extracts and tissues have shown promise in wound healing and reconstructive surgeries due to their anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties.


This shift in thinking reflects the growing awareness that the placentas value.


It’s more than just an organ - it’s a partner in your journey of motherhood, working alongside you from pregnancy to postpartum recovery, it’s YOURS.


Adding placenta management to your birth plan would be advisable.


For more information and support, you can book a hypnobirthing course or workshop with me to help prepare you for birth, no matter where or how you choose to birth your baby.


Check out my courses page and FAQs for more information or send me a message and we can have a chat.


Rox

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