gms | German Medical Science

Background: The placenta has essential biological functions. This includes providing nutrients and oxygen for the child, immunological protection and endocrine functions which effectuate, inter alia, adaption of the maternal organism to pregnancy [1]. It also has a cultural value expressed in various practices in some cultures [2]. There is no literature that describes the value of the placenta postpartum for women in Germany.

Aim/Research Question: The present work assesses the knowledgeability of women towards the placenta and how this knowledge has been communicated. The second research question deals with the treatment of the placenta after birth. The third research question investigates feelings towards the placenta and the personal value women attribute to it.

Methods: It is a quantitative, retrospective cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was developed and was answered by 90 German-speaking women, whose youngest child is at a maxi-mum age of two years. The data was analysed in SPSS using univariate and bivariate statistics and an explorative factor analysis has been conducted for the items of the third research question.

Results: The participants feel predominantly moderate (36%) or well (41%) informed about the placenta. Most of them (56%, n=50) heard of the placenta for the first time in school and got information about it in antenatal class. 54,4% of the interviewees had an idea of what should happen to the placenta postpartum. Most participants wanted it to be disposed (63,3%) and wanted to see it (61,2%). 24% (n=12) of the interviewees wished a special placenta practice (e.g. production of a homeopathic drug, lotus birth, placentophagy etc.). The subjective significance of the placenta p.p. is rated low to moderate.

Women obtaining a Caesarean section saw the placenta significantly rarer (χ²: df=1, p<0,001, N=90). There are no significant differences in the wish of seeing the placenta after birth with women having a vaginal birth compared to women with Caesarean section (χ²: df=1, p=0,110, N=49).

The EFA resulted in two factors.

Relevance: This work gives a first impression of women’s view in Germany on the placenta. These results should be reviewed by further studies focusing on groups in Germany without western background or with different spiritual beliefs. Impulses for midwifery work in school education, antenatal care and intrapartum care arise from these findings.

Recommendations/Conclusion: The personal value of the placenta in Germany is comparable to other western countries. The results of this survey do not show an association between placenta practices and midwifery-led births. The results implicate that the placenta should be handled sensitively, especially when caring for women with spiritual beliefs.

Ethics and conflicts of interest: An ethics vote has been obtained. The research was financed by own resources. There are no conflicts of interest.