Placenta after birth
About the placenta – role and complications
About the placenta – role and complications | Pregnancy Birth and Baby beginning of content7-minute read
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What is the placenta?
The placenta is a temporary organ that develops during pregnancy. It attaches to the lining of your uterus and delivers oxygen and nutrients to your growing baby through the umbilical cord.
If something goes wrong with the placenta, it can be serious and even life-threatening to both mum and baby.
What is the role of the placenta during pregnancy?
The placenta passes oxygen, nutrients and antibodies from your blood to your baby. It also carries waste products from your baby back to your blood, so your body can get rid of them.
The placenta also produces some hormones like oestrogen and progesterone that are needed during pregnancy.
What is the normal position of the placenta during pregnancy?
The placenta should attach to the wall of the uterus, usually at the top, side, front or back. The exact location will vary from person to person and in each pregnancy.
The placenta can sometimes develop low in the uterus but will generally move higher as your uterus stretches. The position of the placenta will be checked at your 18-week ultrasound.
This image shows a normal placental location, with the placenta attached at the top of the uterus.How does the placenta work in twin pregnancies?
Fraternal twins come from separate eggs and each have their own placenta. Identical twins come from the same egg that separates, and they may share a placenta or have their own.
Can medicines cross the placenta?
Alcohol, nicotine, medicines and other drugs can cross the placenta and affect your baby’s health.
What should I do to keep my placenta healthy during pregnancy?
It’s important to visit your healthcare provider regularly during pregnancy.
If there are complications, they can be identified during these appointments.
Tell your doctor if you have had problems with the placenta in a previous pregnancy, or if you have had any surgery to your uterus.
If you smoke, drink alcohol or take certain drugs during pregnancy, this increases the likelihood of problems with the placenta.
Always consult your doctor before you take any medicines, including over-the-counter medicines, natural therapies and supplements, while you are pregnant.
Speak with your doctor or midwife if you have any concerns, or if you experience:
- severe abdominal (stomach) pain or back pain
- vaginal bleeding
- contractions
- any trauma to your abdomen, for example from a fall or car accident
What happens to the placenta after my baby is born?
After your baby is born, you will need to birth your placenta. This is called the third stage of labour.
This stage of labour can be managed in different ways.
If you had a vaginal birth, you will usually have some mild contractions and need to give a few pushes to help your placenta to come out.
If you have a caesarean section, your doctor will remove the placenta at the same time your baby is born.
Once you birth your placenta your doctor or midwife will check that it looks complete. If there is any concern that your placenta isn’t complete, they may suggest further investigations. If any bits of placenta are retained (stay inside you), they may have to be surgically removed to prevent infection.
Can I take my placenta home with me?
It is your choice what you do with your placenta. You may choose to discard it; in which case your hospital or birthing centre will take care of this.
If you wish to take your placenta home, you can speak to your doctor or midwife to arrange this.
In some cultures, people bury the placenta in a special place.
‘Placentophagy’ is a practice where people cook and eat their placenta.
There is no research to support health benefits from this. However, you may choose to do this for cultural, spiritual, or personal reasons.
Some commercial service providers offer to turn your placenta into capsules for you to swallow. It should be noted that there may be a risk of infection from poor preparation. These practices should be treated with caution.
Can anything go wrong with my placenta?
Problems with your placenta can happen during pregnancy, birth and after birth. These are potentially dangerous for both you and your baby.
If your bleeding is severe and you have significant pain, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.
If you have any vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, it’s important to see your doctor as soon as possible.
Placental abruption is when some or all the placenta comes away from the wall of the uterus before your baby is born.
Placenta praevia is when the placenta partially or totally covers the cervix (the narrow opening in the uterus).
Placental insufficiency is when the placenta doesn’t work properly during pregnancy. It deprives the baby of oxygen and nutrients they need to grow and develop.
Placenta accreta is when the placenta grows too deeply into the wall of the uterus. This can lead to severe bleeding during or after delivery and can be life-threatening.
Retained placenta is when your placenta does not completely come out after the birth. This might be because it is stopped by your cervix or is still attached to your uterus.
Speak to a maternal child health nurse
Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.
Sources:
UNSW Embryology (KA02 Fetus or newborn affected by complications of placenta), Royal Women's Hospital (Placenta problems), RANZCOG (Intrauterine Growth Restriction: Screening, Diagnosis, and Management - Placenta accreta), The Royal Women’s Hospital Victoria Australia (Taking Your Placenta Home For Burial Or Consumption), International Journal of Women’s Health (Retained placenta after vaginal delivery: risk factors and management), NHS UK (What complications can affect the placenta?)Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: July 2022
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Related pages
- Mum's first 24 hours after birth
- Giving birth - stages of labour
- Placenta complications in pregnancy
Need more information?
Placenta previa - Better Health Channel
Placenta previa means the placenta has implanted at the bottom of the uterus, over the cervix or close by.
Read more on Better Health Channel website
Retained placenta
A retained placenta is when part or all of the placenta is not delivered after the baby is born. It can lead to serious infection or blood loss.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Placenta praevia
Placenta praevia is a condition where the placenta lies low and may cover the cervix, blocking the baby's exit during birth.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Placenta accreta
Placenta accreta is a serious but rare pregnancy complication that causes heavy bleeding. If you have it, you will need special care at the birth.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Placental abruption - Better Health Channel
Placental abruption means the placenta has detached from the wall of the uterus, starving the baby of oxygen and nutrients.
Read more on Better Health Channel website
Placental insufficiency
Placental insufficiency occurs when the placenta does not work properly and your baby doesn't get the oxygen and nutrients they need.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
It is not just a woman’s issue - Alcohol and Drug Foundation
If a woman drinks during pregnancy the alcohol crosses the placenta to the baby. But what about the effect of alcohol on men?
Read more on Alcohol and Drug Foundation website
Placental abruption
Placental abruption is when some or all of the placenta peels away from the uterus wall before birth. It can deprive the baby of oxygen and nutrients.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Pregnancy test - Pathology Tests Explained
Starting approximately two weeks after conception, a hormone called human chorionic gonadatropin (hCG) hormone is produced by the developing placenta and can be detected in urine and in blood
Read more on Pathology Tests Explained website
4 weeks pregnant: Key points
When you are 4 weeks pregnant your body and your new baby are undergoing rapid changes.
The placenta forms and begins producing a hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which is the substance a pregnancy test detects to confirm you are pregnant. The cells which are growing into your new baby establish membranes which connect them to the placenta and prepare themselves for differentiation into different types of cells, which will occur next week when you are 5 weeks pregnant. These developments may cause you to experience unusual emotions and also cause changes in your body such as darkening of the areolas of your nipples.
Read more on Parenthub website
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The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.
Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.
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Retained placenta | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
Retained placenta | Pregnancy Birth and Baby beginning of content3-minute read
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A retained placenta is when the placenta is not delivered within 30 minutes of the baby’s birth.
It is a serious problem since it can lead to severe infection or life-threatening blood loss.
Retained placenta is not a common condition, but because it’s serious, it will need to be managed by a medical team.
What causes retained placenta?
A placenta can be retained if your contractions aren’t strong enough to expel it, or if the cervix closes and traps the placenta inside your uterus.
You are more at risk of a retained placenta if you are over the age of 30, have a premature baby or if your first and second stages of labour were very long. It can also happen if you have a fibroid or another problem with your uterus.
Many women will have an injection of syntocinon (a synthetic version of the hormone oxytocin), which not only helps deliver the placenta but also helps reduce the risk of postpartum bleeding. Having this injection is called ‘active management’. If the mother chooses not to have the injection, it is called ‘expectant management’.
What are the symptoms of retained placenta?
The main symptom of retained placenta is that the placenta doesn’t completely come out of the uterus after the baby is born. Another symptom can be bleeding before the placenta comes out.
If a piece of placenta is left behind, you may develop symptoms days or weeks after the birth. These may include:
- fever
- a bad smelling discharge from the vagina
- heavy bleeding
- large pieces of tissue coming out of the vagina
- pain
What is the treatment for a retained placenta?
Sometimes retained placenta can be treated simply if you empty your bladder, change position and have the doctor or midwife gently pull on the umbilical cord.
If that doesn’t work, you will need a procedure to remove the placenta. You will be taken into surgery after the birth and given an epidural or anaesthetic so you don’t feel anything. Your doctor will use an instrument called a curette to scrape away the lining of the uterus.
While you’re waiting for surgery, the medical team will keep a close eye on you to check you're not bleeding heavily (postpartum haemorrhage). The procedure itself is quick, but you will need to be monitored for several hours after to make sure you are not bleeding.
If you do start to experience some of the symptoms mentioned above in the days and weeks after you have had your baby, it’s important to see your doctor immediately. It is not always obvious after the placenta has been delivered that some tissue may have been left behind and this can lead to infection and bleeding. If you are bleeding heavily after the birth, you will need surgery to investigate the cause.
Sources:
RANZCOG (Management of Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH)), King Edward Memorial Hospital (Retained placenta), Women's and Newborn Health Westmead Hospital (The birth of your placenta), International Journal of Women's Health (Retained placenta after vaginal delivery: risk factors and management)Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: February 2020
Back To Top
Related pages
- Placenta complications in pregnancy
- About the placenta
Need more information?
Labour complications
Even if you’re healthy and well prepared for childbirth, there’s always a chance of unexpected problems. Learn more about labour complications.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Asherman Syndrome
Read more on RANZCOG - Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website
Why do some mums stop breastfeeding before 6 months?
Most new parents know 'breast is best', but while more than 9 out of 10 babies are breastfed at birth, few mums are breastfeeding exclusively 5 months later.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
What is freebirth?
Freebirth is when a woman chooses to birth her baby without medical or midwifery assistance, but this greater independence comes with some risks.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
About the placenta
The placenta develops inside the uterus (womb) during pregnancy. It gives your baby nutrients and oxygen. Find out more about the placenta here.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Postpartum haemorrhage
Postpartum haemorrhage is when you bleed more than normal after giving birth. It can be very serious and requires medical attention right away.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Disclaimer
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.
OKNeed further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?
1800 882 436
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- Contact us
- About us
- A-Z topics
- Symptom Checker
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- Linking to us
- Information partners
- Terms of use
- Privacy
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is funded by the Australian Government and operated by Healthdirect Australia.
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is provided on behalf of the Department of Health
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby’s information and advice are developed and managed within a rigorous clinical governance framework. This website is certified by the Health On The Net (HON) foundation, the standard for trustworthy health information.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.
The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.
Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.
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What to do with the placenta? 10 uses
The placenta (baby place, afterbirth, storage) is a unique organ. It appears only for 8-9 months to provide the unborn child with oxygen and all the necessary nutrients, but after the third stage of labor it becomes unnecessary. What can be done with the placenta after the doctor examined it and said that everything is in order? There are at least 10 options, and each has its supporters.
Eat. This is exactly what female placental mammals do after giving birth, even herbivores. After all, the afterbirth contains many valuable nutrients, and after giving birth in the wild, you need to restore strength as soon as possible in order to be able to run and get food again.
Women still do this too, especially in parts of Asia. Some experts recommend eating the placenta for the prevention of postpartum depression and anemia. However, in our time, placentophagy has acquired many exotic forms: since it is rather problematic for a civilized person to simply eat a raw afterbirth, as in the wild, the placenta is either heat-treated, like ordinary meat, or smoothies are prepared, or encapsulated. To do this, the placenta must be steam-dried, turned into powder, and then taken in the form of capsules. Of course, only those who have the appropriate technical capabilities resort to such methods. However, you should be aware of the risks: the placenta contains hormones, is not sterile, and may even be infected.
Bury. In our climatic latitudes, the placenta was most often buried in the ground. This could be accompanied by rituals: the placenta was washed, sprinkled with fragrant herbs, spices, put in an embroidered bag (they could cover it with a layer of wet clay and dry it so that it would not become food for wild animals), and only then they put it in a specially prepared hole - under the house, in a wasteland but most often under a tree. If a girl was born, the placenta was buried under a "female" tree - for example, an apple tree. If the family was replenished with a boy, the children's place was buried under a maple or oak tree so that the guy would grow up strong and powerful. Nowadays, the placenta can be buried under the so-called "family tree" to ensure the baby's health and well-being, or they can simply be buried in a flower bed - they say, this is how flowers grow better.
Bury. In some countries (particularly on the island of Bali), it is customary not just to bury the placenta, but to ritually hide it in a cemetery, believing that it is a living being.
Make a decoration. The placenta looks good in epoxy, so some women order a pendant, bracelet, ring or necklace from their own placenta from jewelers. Such decoration should symbolize the bond between mother and child.
Dry for memory. Dried placentas are sometimes used in art compositions or sewn into toys.
Sell. Cosmetics made using the placenta are very popular on the market - creams, gels, serums, shampoos, etc. Especially effective are products with a placenta in anti-aging cosmetology - because in this way you can stimulate the appearance of new cells, as well as activate the production of collagen and elastin, and the skin becomes more elastic. Therefore, some women sell their afterbirth. Although, of course, you won’t earn a lot of money this way.
Use in homemade skin cream. However, a cream that will help heal the skin, reduce scars and stretch marks, and even heal sore or cracked nipples is even made independently. To do this, placenta powder is added to other components.
Dispose of. In Ukraine, this is the most common scenario for the development of events. Maternity hospitals are guided by a protocol for handling biowaste: after the completion of the third stage of labor, the placenta is examined and sent for freezing in a special chamber. When it is full, the placentas are taken for disposal - more often they are buried, less often they are burned.
Deposit in the cryobank. Today, the placenta - like cord blood - is used to isolate the most valuable mesenchymal stem cells. Even now, stem cells are successfully used for the treatment of various diseases and in cosmetology, this area is rightly called "medicine of the XXI century." Therefore, such a “contribution” can be a very profitable investment in the health of the child and the longevity of the parents. Interestingly, stem cells are obtained from a smaller part of the placenta, from the amnion and chorion, which are genetically related to the child. The remains of the placenta can be used as the family decides, because everyone has their own opinion and traditions of the family.
Read also 10 unique facts about the placenta.
Nikki Reed
In 2017, the star of the vampire saga "Twilight" Nikki Reed and her husband Ian Somerhalder became the parents of a girl named Bodhi Soleil. After giving birth, the actress decided to transform the placenta into special capsules in order to use it as a biological supplement. Apparently, the pills lasted only a few months - at the end of the same year, a photo with a half-empty jar appeared on Reed's Instagram. In a message attached to the post, the actress noted that "every mom should do what she thinks will be good for her health." However, she still did not advertise pills from the placenta.
Hilary Duff
While recording a pregnancy health podcast, Lizzie Maguire actress Hilary Duff revealed that she decided to turn her daughter Banks Violet's placenta into a smoothie. Recall that the girl was born in October 2015.
"It was the most delicious cocktail I've ever had," the actress told podcast host Dr. Elliot Berlin. She also admitted that for a long time she was extremely skeptical about the idea of consuming the placenta, but decided to go on an experiment when she learned that postpartum depression could be prevented in this way.
Katherine Heigl
Comedian Katherine Heigl, known to many from the films "The Naked Truth" and "Knocked Up", also joined the list of celebrities who decided to use the placenta after the birth of a child. During her third pregnancy, Heigl worked extensively with a naturopath who urged her to encapsulate the organ.
During a conversation with People, the actress noted that immediately after the completion of the caesarean section, a man approached her and offered his services in the manufacture of capsules based on the placenta. Apparently, some clinics already officially carry out such a service.
Alicia Silverstone
"Clueless" and "Batman & Robin" star Alicia Silverstone took placental capsules from the birth of her first and so far only daughter, Bear Blue. During a conversation with reporters, Silverstone admitted that she was not originally going to experiment with her health. The idea to encapsulate the placenta came from one of Alicia's fans, who gave her a bottle of pills as an exclusive gift. When asked if she enjoyed the experience, the actress stated that "it was love at first sight."
“I was very upset when they ended. These capsules really helped, ”said Silverstone.
Mayim Bialik
Star of the cult comedy series The Big Bang Theory, Mayim Bialik has come under fire after she publicly admitted to eating a placenta. Sheldon Cooper's on-screen sweetheart spoke about the experience of natural childbirth and breastfeeding in one of the popular health blogs.
“Humans are the only mammals that choose not to eat the placenta. While in the animal kingdom it is still a natural process. Animals eat the placenta for an extra dose of protein and iron, which help the body recover from a difficult birth,” Bialik wrote.
January Jones
American actress January Jones of Mad Men fame has also come under public scrutiny after her decision to capsule her placenta. It happened in 2011, when the trend for the use of the placenta was not yet particularly relevant. So, ABC News released an entire article with the subtitle "Crazy Mom?", clearly alluding to the mental problems of the actress.
Nevertheless, January herself believes that it was the placenta that helped her quickly recover after childbirth. According to her, already seven weeks after the birth of her son Xander, she was able to return to active work.
Tom Cruise
The famous Hollywood actor Tom Cruise remains the only famous man who decided to use the placenta of his child. It is possible that this practice is somehow connected with Cruise's religion - for many years the actor has been a faithful follower of Scientology.
