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Original poster

Wanting to see my Placenta

78 replies

Nattalie18 · 24/07/2023 11:22

I’m expecting my second baby in December. for my first I had an elective c section ( baby was breech), at the time, he was whipped out and I was stitched up. This time ( I will probably have another section) I am a little more curious and would like to see my placenta, I’m interested to see what it looks like but I’m worried everyone might think it’s a bit odd, and how will I feel seeing it etc? Does this sound unreasonable, my husband thinks it’s a bit grim 🤣

OP posts:
LaVitesse2022 · 24/07/2023 11:32

I don't think it's grim at all or strange and shouldn't be a problem for them to show it to you. I mean, at least you're not asking to keep it to blend it into smoothies or something, as some people do 😅

linziere · 24/07/2023 11:35

I asked to see mine after my section. They were a bit surprised but were quite happy for me to have a good look.

Original poster
Nattalie18 · 24/07/2023 11:37

Good to know Thankyou! Oh yes I’ll be drawing the line at just looking - absolutely no desire to consume in a smoothie 😬 I think it’s just interesting to see what’s kept my baby sustained for 9 months!

OP posts:
Forestdweller11 · 24/07/2023 11:37

I looked at mine as well. Asked to see it. To be fair they'd asked if they could share it with some students, so it was been passed around anyway! Was totally different to what I expected !

tpmumtobe · 24/07/2023 11:41

Go for it, it's a fascinating thing. I took a photo of mine after DC2😂I'd had issues with retained products with DC1 so I wanted evidence it was all out second time around!

iatealltheminieggs · 24/07/2023 11:43

After my first, the midwife showed it to us and talked us through it. I found it fascinating (and enormous!)

Missingmyusername · 24/07/2023 11:44

Dh looked at mine. Resembled liver apparently 😝 I didn’t look as squeamish.

Marmite27 · 24/07/2023 11:53

I was shown mine with DC1, it has an extra lobe apparently which is quite unusual.

lavenderdilly · 24/07/2023 11:59

It's really normal to want to see your placenta! I think it's a bit instinctual.

Some people feel quite traumatised when they don't see it.

I didn't get quite as long as I'd like to inspect mine and I was at home! I'll remember to ask them to keep it out for me this time.

Uremindmeofthebabe · 24/07/2023 12:00

I saw both my placentas. I got a photo of my second one, I asked the midwife to take it.

YoureAMeanOneMrGrinch · 24/07/2023 12:01

I never saw the umbilical cord with my first but did with my second and I couldn't believe how big it was! Like a phone cord!

piglet81 · 24/07/2023 12:01

I asked to see mine too - only got a quick look as it was post emcs and I wasn’t very well but they humoured me!

DH is squeamish and definitely didn’t want to look!

orangeleavesinautumn · 24/07/2023 12:02

I agree, it looks like a large liver

ChateauMargaux · 24/07/2023 12:03

Not strange at all!! I am a birth doula and women often ask. The last birth I was at, we took a piece to make a homeopathic remedy from it and the midwife helped the mother to make prints... it looks like a tree!!

Uremindmeofthebabe · 24/07/2023 12:05

ChateauMargaux · 24/07/2023 12:03

Not strange at all!! I am a birth doula and women often ask. The last birth I was at, we took a piece to make a homeopathic remedy from it and the midwife helped the mother to make prints... it looks like a tree!!

Eh? 😂

AlwaysWantingIceLollies · 24/07/2023 12:07

First three of mine I had retained placenta so didn't see it. By the 4th when it finally came out by itself I asked to have a look! Go for it!

troppibambini6 · 24/07/2023 12:15

They plonked the clear plastic bowl with my placenta on the table next to my bed so I saw it whether I wanted to or not!
Like others said it was like a massive piece of liver.

Katonhottinroof · 24/07/2023 12:17

placenta’s are so interesting. My first midwife was so excited to show the placenta and how it worked.
I actually have all three of mine in the freezer. Now that I know we’re not having any more children I’m going to plant them in pots with a plant to later give to my children (hopefully I don’t kill the plants first!)

RedRobyn2021 · 24/07/2023 12:20

You husband's head needs a wobble

Your placenta has grown your baby and kept them alive, it's amazing. I bet he's never grown anything nearly as amazing.

Why shouldn't you want to see it, you should definitely ask

RedRobyn2021 · 24/07/2023 12:21

Katonhottinroof · 24/07/2023 12:17

placenta’s are so interesting. My first midwife was so excited to show the placenta and how it worked.
I actually have all three of mine in the freezer. Now that I know we’re not having any more children I’m going to plant them in pots with a plant to later give to my children (hopefully I don’t kill the plants first!)

My midwife did this too 😂

headcheffer · 24/07/2023 12:22

It's actually something a lot of people put in their birth plan, I did in mine. When else are you going to get a chance to look at your own organs Grin It was v cool and the midwife showed me all the features, the sack, the rupture where my waters had broken etc. DH was fascinated!

Uremindmeofthebabe · 24/07/2023 12:31

If you don't ask, you won't get so if you want to see it, ask!

If you want to remember it, ask them to take photos!

WannaBeRecluse · 24/07/2023 12:34

Some cultures have specific rituals around the placenta. Mine were all buried in the back garden with a tree planted over the top.

JobChangeSoonPlease · 24/07/2023 12:37

I had asked for mine to be put in a box and given to a courier to ship away. Got capsules made of them which 100% kept my post natal depression away (had it for DC1 so knew I'd get it again). Seeing it should definitely be ok.

ILookAtTheFloor · 24/07/2023 12:37

I want to bury mine in the garden but DH doesn't want to and I'm useless with a spade a the best of times let alone postpartum!

We grow a whole new organ, it's a life giver for your baby, it's amazing if you ask me. A special thing.