Eating the placenta?

[maz]

Ive heard that the eskimo's freeze it, and do exactly what Meekoh has done.

A lady that had her son the same time I had V took her placenta home to bury it...she was a Kiwi.
Could someone please enlighten me to why this is done?

[~mamaspice~]

I agree with everything paradise lost said. it's meant to be soo beneficial with helping prevent PPH and PND and encouraging breastmilk production. I've also heard that it is packed full of Zinc which is another mineral that new mums can be deficient in after birth.

It's important to note though, that if you are thinking of doing this, eating the placenta is only compatible with a physiological third stage. So if you have a managed 3rd stage or a caesarean you cannot eat it (or so I've been told)

Not sure if eating the placenta is something I could do personally but I must admit the thought has crossed my mind after having PND like I did last time.

[blackduckies]

Yes i have heard of people eating it, but personally after having a good look at a couple of mine I don't think I could stomach it, maybe like someone said if it could be changed into another form a capsule??? MAYBE??? Another thing worth considering I have had a couple of overdue babies and i really don't think you would consider eating their placentas, they had a smell and were starting to break down, good thing bubs decide it was time to get out.
i brought one home and we planted a tree over the top of it, the tree grew very well.

[helle]

Wow, I'm so ignorant! XD I didn't think a hospital would allow you to eat or even take home your placenta here... how interesting.
I don't think I could do it though.. they're just so... squishy looking oO;;

[Talia*L]

When I was born, my parents were pretty much young hippies. After my birthing centre birth, they took home the placenta and dad put it in the fridge. Haha for a few days they kept looking at it and thinking about it. They considered eating it (good nutrients for both men and women) but they were both vegetarian so I think they opted out of that!

In the end, they burried it under a tree and a little bridge in a nearby park (a lovely public garden). I'm pretty sure dad sort of snuck out and did it at night hahaha!

They say that they thought the palcenta was very important, as it had nourished me and helped me grow for 9 months! So they hated the thought of it being put in a big Medical Waste bin. So I guess that's why people bury them - to give the important placenta a sort of kind and symbolic burial.

I think we will bury our placenta in our back yard, under a tree.

[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.