The placenta. Once the baby is born and the cord is clamped and cut the baby is then passed to the 'scrub midwife' and the surgeon continues to go on, to deliver the placenta. At the same time the anaesthetist starts to give the woman a synthetic oxytocin hormone medication (usually Syntocinon) via the drip in her vein to help her uterus to contract and control the bleeding. This is the same medication that is usually given as an injection to the woman during a vaginal birth.
The placenta is delivered by either gently pulling on the cord (via the incision that the baby was born through), called 'cord traction', or by putting one of their hands inside the woman's uterus to 'sweep' the placenta off the wall of the uterus (called a manual removal).
Removing the placenta manually has generally been the most common method used by surgeons. Recent research has now shown that manual removal of the placenta can increase the amount of blood loss for the woman and increase her chances of a uterine infection, when compared to the 'cord traction' method. You may wish to check which technique your caregiver tends to use and possibly discuss the option of cord traction with them.
The placenta is checked by the midwife and then placed in a plastic bag and disposed of (usually burnt with other hospital 'blood contaminated' waste). If you wish to see the placenta, donate cord blood or keep your placenta for a ritual you should let the midwife know or include it in your
birth plan.
The midwife can organise to store the placenta in a hospital fridge or freezer, until you are able to look at it, or until your partner or support can collect it to take home. You may wish to also
read
placenta rituals or
cord blood donation.