Placenta delivery

The placenta provides the baby with nutrients and oxygen from the mother and carries away fetal waste. Following delivery, the uterus naturally contracts to push the placenta out of the uterus. In addition, the delivering practitioner will assist by gently pressing the abdomen to work the placenta free of the uterus.

Delivery of the placenta is typically painless and takes approximately 15 minutes.

Once the placenta is delivered, it is examined to see if the placental tissue is healthy and in one piece. At times, the placenta can break off and cause bleeding in the uterus, but as we see here, the placenta is delivered in one piece perfectly.

The placenta is commonly referred to as the afterbirth. Its successful delivery signals the end of the final stage of childbirth.

The placenta provides the baby with nutrients and oxygen from the mother and carries away fetal waste. Following delivery, the uterus naturally con ...

Delivery of the placenta is typically painless and takes approximately 15 minutes.

The placenta is commonly referred to as the afterbirth. Its successful delivery signals the end of the final stage of childbirth.

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Review Date: 11/12/2021

Reviewed By: John D. Jacobson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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