How is the placenta delivered?

If you deliver your baby vaginally, you'll also deliver the placenta vaginally — during what's known as the third stage of labor.

After you give birth, you'll continue to have mild contractions. Your health care provider might give you a medication called oxytocin (Pitocin) to continue uterine contractions and reduce postpartum bleeding. Your health care provider might also massage your lower abdomen to encourage your uterus to contract and expel the placenta. You might be asked to push one more time to deliver the placenta.

If you have a C-section, your health care provider will remove the placenta from your uterus during the procedure.

Your health care provider will examine the placenta to make sure it's intact. Any remaining fragments must be removed from the uterus to prevent bleeding and infection. If you're interested, ask to see the placenta. In some cultures, families bury the placenta in a special place, such as their backyards.

If you have questions about the placenta or placental problems during pregnancy, talk to your health care provider. He or she can help you better understand the placenta's role during your pregnancy.