--- title: Your Placenta Rights date: 2023-10-20T09:57:00-04:00 author: Courtney Flickinger canonical_url: "https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-2" section: Marketing Pages --- ## Your Placenta Rights After giving birth what happens to your placenta? Hospitals consider your placenta medical waste and will incinerate your placenta unless the patient requests to donate, privately bank, or take their placenta home. If you have a traumatic delivery or if your medical team notices any abnormalities to the placenta, the hospital will send the placenta to pathology for further testing to determine if baby is at risk for any development delays. ![African american mother holding baby hand americord](https://assets.americordblood.com/transforms/products/984352/african-american-mother-holding-baby-hand-americord_34cc5785db3b5131ea1eacb73278e221.jpg) ![African american mother holding baby hand americord](https://assets.americordblood.com/transforms/products/984352/african-american-mother-holding-baby-hand-americord_59ed6db2dee6ecff787e64d596fe86b7.jpg) ## What Can I Do with My Placenta After Birth? Many parents find themselves contemplating what to do with the placenta after birth. From private banking the stem cells found in the tissues to donating for medical science, the options for the placenta after birth are diverse and deeply personal. Regardless of your choice, know that you have options for your placenta. [ ![Young couple holding ultrasound americord](https://assets.americordblood.com/transforms/blogs/984372/young-couple-holding-ultrasound-americord_ccbddc34785de1e64717d5c734720232.jpg) ](https://www.americordblood.com/placental-tissue) [### Private Banking ](https://www.americordblood.com/placental-tissue)Placental tissue stem cells are currently being researched in hundreds of clinical trials studying the treatment of conditions and diseases ranging from treatments for internal sicknesses and diseases, to skin and eye wounds. [ Learn More ](https://www.americordblood.com/placental-tissue) [ ![Mother holding baby hand americord](https://assets.americordblood.com/transforms/blogs/984380/mother-holding-baby-hand-americord_64ca16b00f5a8a81a4a75fa61a02f30f.jpg) ](https://www.americordblood.com/donate) [### Donation ](https://www.americordblood.com/donate)By donating your placenta, you're helping to propel groundbreaking medical research, offering hope and healing to others. Placenta donation aids in furthering regenerative medicine and stem cell research by harnessing the unique properties of the placenta. [ Learn More ](https://www.americordblood.com/donate) [ ![Newborn delivery hospital americord](https://assets.americordblood.com/transforms/blogs/984395/newborn-delivery-hospital-americord_64ca16b00f5a8a81a4a75fa61a02f30f.webp) ](https://www.americordblood.com/articles/the-power-of-the-placenta-facts-and-benefits-after-birth) [### Discard ](https://www.americordblood.com/articles/the-power-of-the-placenta-facts-and-benefits-after-birth)If you do not have a plan for your placenta, your hospital will dispose of your placenta as medical waste after birth. The hospital is legally not able to use your placenta for anything purpose beyond pathology without your consent. [ Learn More ](https://www.americordblood.com/articles/the-power-of-the-placenta-facts-and-benefits-after-birth) [ ![Young family holding newborn americord](https://assets.americordblood.com/transforms/blogs/984407/young-family-holding-newborn-americord_93e49ed5018217ee82f12dd4ad6b54bc.jpg) ](https://www.americordblood.com/articles/what-to-do-with-your-placenta-after-birth) [### More Options ](https://www.americordblood.com/articles/what-to-do-with-your-placenta-after-birth)Many parents choose to keep their placenta for reasons beyond donation or private banking. Some may bury it, others may choose to encapsulate it, while others explore other alternative options. [ Learn More ](https://www.americordblood.com/articles/what-to-do-with-your-placenta-after-birth) ![Holding ultrasound third trimester americord](https://assets.americordblood.com/transforms/default/984474/holding-ultrasound-third-trimester-americord_2788bfe46ec3418799e73ae61305a5a0.jpg) ## Understanding Your Rights If your placenta is healthy and you want to take ownership, be sure to understand your rights. What happens to your placenta is governed by state law, and varies according to where you give birth. Even when permitted by state law, some hospitals are resistant to turning over your placenta. To help ensure the hospital respects your request, we have drafted letters that you can use to assert your rights. Just print them out and bring them with you in case you encounter any issues. [ Find My State Release Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/articles/the-power-of-the-placenta-facts-and-benefits-after-birth) ![Mom looking down at pregnant stomach and son touching her belly](https://assets.americordblood.com/transforms/default/79379/expecting-mom-toddler-touching-belly-americord_2023-11-09-225212_ccks_f637645f044b5b285a63d62ab76936cf.jpg) ## Placenta Laws By State Click your state on the list below to **download** statements that affirm your rights to your placenta. ![Family kissing ultrasound happy americord](https://assets.americordblood.com/transforms/default/981640/family-kissing-ultrasound-happy-americord_2788bfe46ec3418799e73ae61305a5a0.jpg) Alabama This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Alaska This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Arizona This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Arkansas This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) California This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Colorado This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Connecticut This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Delaware This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Florida This state has laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Georgia This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Guam This territory has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Hawaii This state has laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Idaho This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Illinois This state has laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Indiana This state has laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Iowa This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Kansas This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Kentucky This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Louisiana This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Maine This state has laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Maryland This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Massachusetts This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Michigan This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Minnesota This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Mississippi This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Missouri This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Montana This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Nebraska This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Nevada This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) New Hampshire This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) New Jersey This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) New Mexico This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) New York This state has laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) North Carolina This state has laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) North Dakota This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Northern Mariana Islands This territory has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Ohio This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Oklahoma This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Oregon This state has laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Pennsylvania This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Puerto Rico This territory has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Rhode Island This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) South Carolina This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) South Dakota This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Tennessee This state has laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Texas This state has laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) US Virgin Islands This territory has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Utah This state has laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Vermont This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Virginia This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. [ Download Letter ](https://www.americordblood.com/your-rights-download) Washington This state has no laws concerning your placental rights. 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