Adapting Nursing Care to Alternative Uses of the Placenta

Poster PresentationPurpose for the ProgramIn our large, Mid‐Atlantic hospital, which has approximately 6500 births annually, an increasing number of women desire alternate methods to dispose of the placenta. These methods include burial and placentophagy (e.g., raw, cooked, or encapsulated). This presentation is an overview of how our unit is adapting to this emerging need.Proposed ChangeTo assist staff nurses on the ethical, legal, and safe way to send the placenta home with the woman, a procedure is being developed. This practice will provide the staff nurse with education on the alleged benefits of placentophagy, the significance behind the ritual of placental burial, and hospital guidelines on how to package the placenta.Implementation, Outcomes, and EvaluationWe are creating a plan for this procedure. Our plan begins with revising the form for release of placenta. Next, we are designing an informative PowerPoint presentation to educate staff on alternate methods of placental disposal and the ethical sensitivity that should be expressed with this request. Staff also will receive an e‐mailed tip of the month highlighting these guidelines. Finally, a convenient location will be designated for placenta kits, including container, material, and guidelines necessary to provide this service.Implications for Nursing PracticeWith education on rituals regarding the placenta, staff nurses will feel more confident and comfortable with handling the placenta, and this comfort level...

Source: Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing - June 4, 2015 Category: Nursing Authors: Gina M. Scott, Valerie Rappa Gray, Kathy Brereton, Pamela Kay Turner Tags: Childbearing Source Type: research