The placenta is an organ that develops during pregnancy and serves as the link between the mother and fetus. The term “placenta” comes from the Latin word for “cake,” which aptly describes this important but often overlooked organ. The placenta is a flattened disc of tissue that weighs about one pound and is approximately six inches in diameter. It attaches to the uterine wall via the umbilical cord and provides oxygen and nutrients to the developing fetus.
The placenta also plays an important role in waste removal, producing hormones that are essential for fetal development, and protecting the fetus from infection. Although it typically discarded after birth, some parents choose to have their placenta encapsulated so they can consume it postpartum in an effort to improve their postpartum recovery.