, leading to some serious health concerns if ingested.
Products containing placenta that are prepared by third parties — including buying or selling products containing someone else’s placenta, or sending your own placenta out to be made into a product that is returned to you — are subject to the Canadian Food and Drugs Act, meaning their safety and efficacy must be approved by Canada’s governing body. No products containing human placenta have been authorized for consumption in Canada, according to a Health Canada alert.
Donating placenta and after-birth tissues
Many moms may choose to donate or store cord blood contained in the after-birth, but some tissue banks will also take a placenta donation.
Tissues included in the placenta include the umbilical cord, amniotic fluid and amniotic sac, and may be used for treatment of wounds including ulcers and replacing tissue removed in surgery.
Tissue banks may require some blood tests be completed before the birth, as well as ask for access to medical records to ensure the donation is viable. Moms-to-be who are interested in learning more are encouraged to speak to their doctors about donation options for after-birth tissues.
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