The Woodlands Field Guide: Placenta Release at St. Luke’s Health
If you are delivering at St. Luke’s Health in The Woodlands, you are in a facility known for its high standard of clinical care and "Baby-Friendly" environment. St. Luke’s is very accustomed to families choosing holistic postpartum options, but like any large hospital system, they have a specific rhythm for releasing tissue.
As your Houston placenta experts, we are familiar with the L&D and Postpartum units at St. Luke’s. Here is how to ensure your placenta journey is smooth and stress-free.
1. The St. Luke’s Protocol
St. Luke’s prioritizes safety and clear documentation. They view the placenta as your tissue, but they require a specific chain of custody.
The Paperwork: St. Luke’s sometimes requires a standard consent of "Release of Tissue for Disposition" form. You may read that form here and if the hospital asks you to sign they will provide the copy. You do not need to bring your own.
When to ask: You may mention your wishes to keep your placenta during your intake on the day of delivery and remind the nurse in the room when you actually deliver. If you are having a Cesarean birth, remind the nurse going into the OR with you.
What to say: "I am working with H Town Placenta for encapsulation. We have our transport kit ready; please let us know when the release forms are ready for us to sign."
2. The Pro-tip you probably won’t need, but should know just in case.
Because St. Luke’s handles many high-risk deliveries and inductions, their doctors may be more inclined to suggest pathology if the birth had any "surprises."
Pro-Tip: If pathology is requested, ask the doctor: "Is it possible to do a bedside exam or take a small sample so that I can keep the placenta for encapsulation?" At St. Luke's, a respectful request for a "sample-only" pathology is often accommodated.
3. Storage & The "Placenta Guardian"
St. Luke’s provides the sterile container, but per hospital policy, they cannot store your placenta in their medical refrigerators once it has been released to you.
The Cooler: This is where your H Town Placenta transport kit is essential. Ensure it is in the room and ready for the birth. You may also provider your own cooler, or ask for two patient belong bags to create a make shift cooler.
The Ice: The nursing staff at St. Luke’s is wonderful—don't hesitate to ask for fresh ice to keep the container fully submerged and chilled.
The Handoff: St. Luke’s is a busy campus. To make the pickup easy, your "Placenta Guardian" (partner or doula) should call us at 833-PLACNTA as soon as the placenta is in the cooler. We will coordinate a specific meeting spot near the main entrance or the garage elevators or we can come up to your.
4. Why St. Luke’s Moms Trust H Town Placenta
Families who choose St. Luke’s often value the balance of clinical safety and personal choice. We mirror that balance by providing a professional, sanitary, and highly organized encapsulation process. We know the halls of St. Luke’s, ensuring that your pickup is the easiest part of your hospital stay.