Following the birth of a baby, the placenta is typically delivered through natural uterine contractions. Here's a breakdown:
The Natural Process of Placenta Delivery
After your baby is born, the process of delivering the placenta usually occurs within 18 to 60 minutes. This is facilitated by the following process:
- Uterine Contractions: The uterus begins to contract.
- Placental Separation: These contractions pull the placenta away from the wall of the uterus.
- Expulsion: The contractions then push the placenta out through the birth canal.
Essentially, your uterus contracts, which is the driving force that separates and pushes the placenta out. This natural process is designed to complete the delivery.
Potential Issues
While the process of placenta delivery is typically straightforward, occasionally complications may arise. One cause for the placenta not to be delivered is due to:
- Insufficient Contractions: If the uterus does not contract sufficiently, the placenta may not separate properly, preventing its expulsion.