My Journey Into Learning About the Placenta (And Why It’s a Game-Changer)
Before pregnancy, I honestly never thought about my placenta. I mean, I knew it existed, but did I really understand what it does? Nope. It wasn’t until I started obsessively researching everything baby-related that I realized just how important this organ is.
Your placenta isn’t just some temporary structure—it’s literally your baby’s life support system. It provides oxygen, nutrients, removes waste, and even protects your baby from some infections. But, like every part of pregnancy, what you do impacts how well it functions.
That’s when I started asking:
🔹 How can I take better care of my placenta?
🔹 What weakens it?
🔹 What can I do to make sure my baby is getting the best from it?
The more I researched, the more I realized: Placenta health = baby’s health. And yet, no one really talks about how to keep it strong! So, let’s dive into what you NEED to know to ensure your placenta is doing its best work.
What Does the Placenta Do?
The placenta is an organ that grows inside your uterus during pregnancy and plays a crucial role in your baby’s development. It:
✔ Delivers oxygen and nutrients to your baby
✔ Removes waste products from baby’s blood
✔ Produces hormones to support pregnancy (like progesterone and estrogen)
✔ Acts as a protective barrier against some infections
✔ Regulates immune functions to prevent your body from attacking the baby
Basically, your placenta is the ultimate multitasker. But just like any vital organ, it needs the right care to function properly.
What Can Harm Your Placenta?
Just like the rest of your body, the placenta can be affected by lifestyle choices, stress, and health conditions. Here are the biggest culprits that can weaken its function:
🚨 Smoking & Alcohol – Both reduce oxygen and nutrient delivery to the baby
🚨 High-Stress Levels – Chronic stress can lead to poor blood circulation and impact nutrient flow
🚨 Poor Diet & Dehydration – The placenta needs proper nutrients and hydration to work efficiently
🚨 High Blood Pressure & Poor Circulation – These can restrict blood flow, leading to complications like preeclampsia
🚨 Certain Infections – Some infections can cross the placenta, so boosting your immune system is key
If you take away one thing from this section, let it be this: Your placenta is only as healthy as the lifestyle choices you make.
How to Keep Your Placenta Healthy
Want to ensure your placenta is giving your baby the best? Here’s what you need to do:
✅ Eat Iron-Rich Foods – Iron is essential for oxygen transport. Think leafy greens, beans, red meat, and fortified cereals.
✅ Stay Hydrated – Your blood volume increases by 50% during pregnancy, and hydration helps keep circulation strong. Aim for at least 2.5L of water daily.
✅ Manage Stress – High cortisol levels can negatively impact placenta function. Try meditation, deep breathing, or prenatal yoga.
✅ Avoid Toxins – Say NO to alcohol, smoking, and processed foods that contain harmful additives.
✅ Monitor Your Blood Pressure – Regular check-ups help ensure there’s no risk of placental insufficiency or preeclampsia.
Should You Shave/Cleanse Your Placenta?
There’s a growing trend of placenta cleansing, encapsulation, and even consuming placenta for postpartum benefits. But is it safe?
🔹 Placenta Encapsulation: Some moms swear by it for postpartum recovery, while others find no noticeable benefits. There’s no solid scientific evidence to confirm it works.
🔹 Cleansing the Placenta: Your placenta is already a filtering organ. “Cleansing” it isn’t necessary—it’s more about ensuring you’re keeping it healthy through diet and lifestyle.
🔹 Shaving the Placenta Before Birth: Some cultures believe in “cleansing” the placenta before labor to improve its function. Medically, there’s no proven benefit to this.
The key takeaway? Focus on keeping it healthy rather than trying to “cleanse” it.
Final Thoughts: Your Placenta = Your Baby’s Lifeline
Your placenta does SO much, and yet, it’s rarely talked about. But by making a few simple changes—eating well, staying hydrated, managing stress, and avoiding harmful habits—you can make sure your baby gets the best possible start in life.