09/23/2025
The placenta is generally not as celebrated in America as it is in other cultures, where it is honored as a 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦-𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨.
Here’s some examples:
In 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘢✨ the placenta is seen as the baby’s spiritual sibling and guardian. Most often, it is ceremoniously buried right outside the family home.
In 𝘕𝘪𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢✨ the placenta is buried within the baby’s community to connect them to their ancestors and homeland. It is often buried under a fruit-bearing tree that is seen as a reflection of the child’s life and achievements.
In 𝘛𝘶𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘩 folklore✨ the placenta is viewed as a part of the child and would be buried in a place that was believed to influence the infant’s future character and destiny. For example, parents who wished their child to be a world-traveler may dispose of it in water like a river or sea.
In 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘢✨ the placenta is seen as the source of the baby’s soul; and thus, its burial place is surrounded by spiked plants to protect the child from evil spirits.
Whatever you decide to do with your placenta after birth, this miracle organ deserves to be acknowledged as the 𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 that it is over your baby.
And we couldn’t possibly move past this picture without commenting on that beautiful white cord! One-third of the baby’s blood is still with its friend, the placenta, at birth. When the cord is flat and white like this, baby has received all that life-giving blood (and stem cells!) back and the cord may be cut.
