(AP) -- COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- Some new Missouri moms are reverting to the traditional birthing practice of saving their placenta in hopes of warding off postpartum illness.

The Columbia Missourian  reports that the practice is growing in popularity among local mothers. The placenta is formed in a mother's uterus lining during pregnancy and helps nourish the fetus. It's expelled once a child is born and also referred to as afterbirth.

The placenta contains hormones and nutrients that proponents of placenta remedies feel can help new mothers recover more quickly and avoid postpartum depression.

It's put into capsules, ointment, and tinctures or even added to food after being steamed, dehydrated and ground into a powder.

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Information from: Columbia Missourian, http://www.columbiamissourian.com

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