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The placenta is a temporary organ that forms inside of your uterus during pregnancy and helps to nourish your baby. The placenta acts as transfer agent. Without the placenta, your baby would not be able to receive the oxygen and nutrients that it needs. It also acts as a filter to keep the waste or chemicals from your blood out of your baby's system. However, the placenta does not provide protection from dangers like cigarette smoke, alcohol, and certain medications.

The placenta also offers hormonal support throughout your pregnancy. It releases estrogen, progesterone, and hCG into your bloodstream to ensure your body goes through the proper changes. After you deliver your baby you will then deliver the placenta within 30 minutes of birth. The usually the placenta is then just thrown out. But in some countries there are actually centuries of rich traditions regarding the placenta.


To find out what these fascinating traditions are watch our Placental Traditions video

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