It’s about to get crunchy up in hur…so bear with me. Don’t worry, I promise not to show actual pictures.
I know you’re probably thinking, ‘Please tell me you’re not about to talk about eating your placenta, are you?’ ‘That’s disgusting!’ I know, I know, I was there just a short while ago, but I have since seen the light.
Before you leave me high and dry, let’s talk about why people would even remotely consider consuming their placentas (and the different methods of doing so).
The placenta is an organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall to allow nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange via the mother’s blood supply. -Wikipedia
Basically, the placenta is the baby’s life blood and they could not survive without it. So while yes it is gross to talk about consuming it, it literally is part of a mama’s body and baby’s home for the next nine months, so it’s pretty importante. But why would anyone in their right mind choose to consume one of their organs when it can just be tossed in the trash? First off, ’most mammals instinctively consume their placentas for its nutritional content. Placental hormones provide an energy boost that will uphold a mother that cannot hunt and forage for food while she cares for her new ones and recoups from her birth. For humans, consumption can help maintain proper hormonal balance in the weeks following birth and help guard against postpartum depression.’
I hate to break it to you, but it is quite common in many countries around the world to consume, freeze, and even bury your placenta–it was a living and beneficial organ at one point.
And in case you’re wondering, here are some of the hormones and nutrients found in the placenta:
- Gonadotrophin-The precursor to estrogen, progesterone and testosterone
- Prolactin-Main hormone to produce milk
- Oxytocin-Helps with pain and bonding; produced during breastfeeding to facilitate bonding
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone-Boosts energy and helps recovery from stressful events
- Cortisone-Combats stress and unlocks stored energy
- Interferon-Stimulates the immune system to protect against infections
- Prostaglandins-Anti-inflammatory
- Hemoglobin-Replenishes iron deficiency and anemia
- Urokinase inhibiting factor and factor XIII-Stops bleeding and enhances wound healing
- Gammaglobulin-Immune booster that helps protect against postpartum infections
I know there are some big words in there, but several of these are very important and beneficial to a new mama. I know if I was hemorrhaging at home, I would definitely have no qualms about sticking a piece of placenta between my tongue and cheek, if that meant skipping a trip to the hospital. Also, the fact that giving birth and the few weeks afterwards can be traumatic for some makes me not mind having something from my body help get me through it.
Some benefits of Placentophagy (human consumption) include:
- Decrease in baby blues and postpartum depression, resulting in better bonding with baby.
- Increase in and enriched breast milk, offering the very best nutritional value to a new baby.
- Increase in energy, which is not only welcomed, but necessary with a newborn.
- Decrease in lochia, postpartum bleeding, which is also a benefit for a new mother.
- Increase in iron and other essential vitamins and minerals that are lacking after the birth of a baby.
- Decrease in sleep disorders, another welcome thought for a mother responsible for late night feedings.
I don’t know about you, but it sounds appealing-especially if you need help in the breast milk department. Also, the fact that I probably went through some depression with Emma (from having a C-section), I would have gladly taken any natural help I could get. The crazy thing is you don’t have to consume it all at once. You can save it for menopause, to balance hormones, later in life and even give it to family. My midwife assistant said I could give my placenta to my mom or even Emma. Apparently, it is also a good salve when little ones get a cut or can even help calm stressed out kids (and husbands) with just a few drops from a tincture.
Methods of Consumption:
Raw Consumption-To maintain the raw form of the placenta and continue to get the most out of it, you can cut your washed placenta into dime sized pieces and place on wax paper, seal in a freezer bag and place in freezer. Dosage: 2-4 pieces daily are all that is needed and can be eaten alone or even blended in a smoothie.
Encapsulation-Encapsulation consists of drying out and grinding your placenta and then placing it into soluble, empty vitamin capsules so that you can simply swallow just as you do with any other vitamin or pill. Encapsulation is currently the most popular method of consumption in the U.S. Dosage: 2-4 capsules daily for the first few weeks, then slowly reduce dosage as desired.
Placental Tinctures-Tinctures offer a way to maintain placental benefits for long periods of time. They should be stored out of direct sunlight. Just a dropper full or two can be added to your herbal tea or warm water. They are great to use during menopause to help maintain a balance of hormones. Dosage: 1-2 droppers full in tea or warm water, or directly under tongue, 1-2 times a day or simply as desired.
After talking with the midwife assistant, who will do the encapsulation, I decided to go with 1 tincture and get the rest encapsulated.
Does all this mean I’m giddy to see my placenta? Definitely not! And I’m pretty sure Josh wants nothing to hear about what will be happening to my placenta, but like a supportive hubby, he’s going along with it. I figure it can’t hurt me to try a few methods to help my body out along with the bond with baby, so I’m giving it a shot. In regards to cost, it can run you from $125-$300 depending on what you have done. Look into it if you’re interested.
I know this topic is pretty crunchy (much like the DivaCup and Squatty Potty), but I figure it’s worth getting the information out there for those who may be considering the process. For all I know, you could want nothing to do with that bloody organ and that’s cool, too. This is just another part of my crazy crunchy journey…at least I’m not doing a Lotus birth! Ha.
Has anyone out there done this or are you considering it?
Note: Photos from here, here, and here.
