Final Labor Stage - Placenta Birthing

Many people of the world have known the secret power of the placenta as a medicinal supplement. Among the Chinese and Vietnamese, it is a customary practice to prepare the placenta for consumption by the mother. The placenta is thought to be rich in nutrients that the mother needs to recover more readily from childbirth. In Italy, women have been known to eat parts of the placenta to help with lactation. Hungarian women bite the placenta to expedite the completion of labor. And knowledgeable midwives in this country have their birth mothers take bites of raw placenta to help stop hemorrhaging, due to its beneficial oxytocin content.

There are a variety of potential benefits to placentophagy. For one, the placenta contains vitamins and minerals that may help fight depression symptoms, such as vitamin B6. For another, the placenta is considered rich in iron and protein, which would be useful to women recovering from childbirth, and a particular benefit to vegetarian women.

Stage V / Birthing of the placenta

Physical Aspects

• Surges will temporarily stop.

• Placenta will detach and come out.

• Experience vaginal bleeding, chills, shaking, possible hunger, thirst or exhaustion.

• Eat a piece of placenta for healthy quick restoring of hormonal balance

• Start breastfeeding baby.

Role of Dad and/or Support Person

• Absorbed in looking at baby.

• Praise all of mom’s efforts.

• Share experiences and feelings.

Emotional Aspects

• Absorbed in looking at baby.

• Feel a sense of accomplishment.

• May be very excited and relaxed like after a workout.

Social Aspects

• Wants a lot of contact with baby.

• Alert, happy talkative. Possibly laughing or crying.

• Expresses a sense of great relief.