Eating the placenta?

[Tanya]

It can also be blended soon after birth with the addition of other foods for a very nutritious smoothy.

[HollyC]

Placenta plantings are sometimes done as a ceremony like a christening. It is buried and something planted over the top.

I know of someone who did it because they weren't religious, but wanted a ceremony to mark the birth. But it might be part of some cultures too.

I guess it is just to acknowledge the significance of the placenta nurturing the baby through pregnancy and the transition of birth.

[Teirae]

After every birth I assist in I ask the couple if they would like to look at the placenta and if they do I go through it all with them what it does etc. Then I ask if they would like to keep it. So many people are shocked but I have to ask cause you never know, and it is really yours to do what you want with.
Keeping the placenta forever (by freezing) or some people have said that planting it is meant to be protection against drowning for the infant.

I think keeping it and planting it or something is a nicer way to treat it than it just going into the furnace at the hosptial. I mean that was been your link to your baby for 9 months etc... but everyones own choice.

[NaeNae]

I vaguely remember reading someones birth story on here (a home birth) and the MW blended the placenta with fruit etc to make a smoothie and I vaguely remember the woman saying she couldn't actually taste it through the fruit ??? maybe my own interpretation of the story though

Its meant to be very nutritious, I know the cows on the farm eat their afterbirths becuase of the nutrients AND it does actually help them not get PND (yes cows can suffer from PND as well)

I could probably drink it in a smoothie providing no one told me what it was but I don't think I could stomach eating it if I knew what it was IYKWIM.

We're going to just let the hossy dispose of mine after I have had a look at it

Nae x

[LoriRae]

Originally Posted by Teirae

After every birth I assist in I ask the couple if they would like to look at the placenta and if they do I go through it all with them what it does etc. .

I had a good look at both ds's and dd's placentas, with the mw running me through what all the different bits were and did. It was fascinating (especially the second time when i wasn't stoned to the eyeballs) and I'd highly recommend it- even if it did, quite literally, make dh vomit

[TeniBear]

I just don't think I'd be able to eat (or even look at!) something that's been inside me for 9 months... Maybe I'll feel differently when Smudge comes along, but all the pictures I've seen in birth stories or whatever have given me the impression it's like a huge blood clot... Like in a period or something... I feel sick just thinking about it now lol

If I can stomach looking at it, though, I think I might suggest to DH that we take it home to plant under a tree... I do like that idea at least!

[Talia*L]

If someone could whisk it away, prepare it as a powder, and pop it in capsules, i would be happy to eat it I think.

But as that is not going to happen, it is getting buried!

[catherineq]

Anyone here know how to make placenta powder capsule? Or, who can help to do that? I'm thinking that will reserve the placenta a bit longer for me to consume.

[Teirae]

Originally Posted by TeniBear

but all the pictures I've seen in birth stories or whatever have given me the impression it's like a huge blood clot...

Not quite..more like liver. like a big meaty thing.

=)

I think i would be able to do to the freeze and slice up thing Meekoh suggested cause you wont be able to taste it. I think it would be so rich and strong in taste that that would be to much for me.

what about anyone who has done a lotus birth? what did they do with the placenta afterwards?

[TeniBear]

Originally Posted by Teirae

Not quite..more like liver.

...which to me still looks like a big blood clot

[Teagz]

Originally Posted by TeniBear

...which to me still looks like a big blood clot

I remember seeing Jayvan's one... not as big obviously but it was full of veins as well oO;
It reminded me a of some kind of brain ><;