When you think of birth, the first star of the show that comes to mind is the baby. Cute, wrinkly, crying the whole spotlight moment. But behind the scenes, there’s another MVP that rarely gets the standing ovation it deserves: the placenta.

Yep, that squishy, otherworldly-looking organ that kept your baby alive for nine months. It delivered oxygen, nutrients, and straight-up life support, and then, in most cases… it’s tossed out like leftovers. Brutal.

But here’s the plot twist: you don’t have to throw away the placenta. Families around the world have been celebrating, honouring, and repurposing it for centuries. And whether you’re into wellness hacks, cultural rituals, or just curious about your options this blog is for you.

What Is the Placenta?

Think of it as your baby’s first roommate and personal Uber Eats. It’s an organ that attaches to your uterus during pregnancy and connects to your baby through the umbilical cord. Its main job? Delivering oxygen and nutrients while also removing waste.

Once the baby is born, the placenta exits stage left (aka the “afterbirth”). But instead of letting it fade into the background, you’ve got choices.

The Many Ways to Honour Your Placenta

Lotus Birth

This practice involves leaving the placenta attached to the umbilical cord until it naturally dries and separates (usually within 3–10 days). Advocates say it promotes gentleness and respect for the baby’s transition earth-side.Pros: Spiritual, symbolic, slow and mindful.

Cons: Can be tricky to manage logistically (imagine carrying a newborn and their organ buddy).

Placenta Encapsulation

Yes, you can have your placenta dried, ground up, and put into capsules basically placenta vitamins. Some claim it helps with postpartum recovery, energy, and mood (though science is still catching up).

Pros: Easy to take, discreet, it honestly feels like you’re “recycling your power.”

Cons: Not medically proven, can be pricey depending on the provider.

Bury It

In many cultures, burying the placenta is a sacred ritual symbolising connection to the earth, ancestors, or the child’s future. Families often plant a tree or flower on top as a living reminder.

Pros: Free, symbolic, eco-friendly.

Cons: Requires a safe space to bury it (not everyone has a backyard).

Donate It

Here’s one that doesn’t get enough airtime: donating the placenta. In some hospitals, placental tissue can be used for life-saving medical treatments, especially in wound healing and research.

Pros: Helps others, makes your placenta a superhero twice over.Cons: Availability depends on local medical facilities.

Why the Placenta Deserves More Hype

• It’s literally an organ your body grew just for pregnancy.

• It disappears after birth (wild, right?).

• It carries huge cultural, emotional, and even medical importance.

For too long, conversations around placentas have been either whispered about or dismissed as “hippie stuff.” But understanding and celebrating them is part of owning your birth story whatever that looks like for you.

Your Placenta, Your Choice

Whether you want to dry it, bury it, eat it, or donate it, the bottom line is this: the placenta is more than “afterbirth.” It’s a powerful reminder of what your body is capable of.

So next time someone wrinkles their nose at the idea of a lotus birth or placenta smoothie (yep, those exist too), remind them that honouring the placenta isn’t weird it’s reclaiming a narrative that deserves center stage.

With love (and organs that multitask like legends),

The Sheba Feminine Team

Inclusive. Honest. Slightly unhinged