Eating My Placenta
I’m very excited about today’s guest poster, the fabulous and talented Naomi from Organic Motherhood With Cool Whip, one of my all time favourite bloggers and one of the top ten funniest ladies I know.
A good friend of mine who is currently pregnant called me on the phone today. “Naomi,” she said. “I want to tell you a secret.”
A secret? I love secrets! “Tell me. What is it?” I asked.
She lowered her voice and whispered, “I’m going to eat my placenta.”
“WHAT?” I practically screamed into the phone. My mind was spinning. Did people really eat placentas? I had never heard of this before. “Are you kidding me? Doesn’t that make you some kind of cannibal … or something?”
“I know. I know. It’s kind of weird. But seriously, it’s good for you,” she replied. She was talking very fast. Clearly very excited. She then began to name off the many extraordinary and fabulous benefits she would receive from dining on her own flesh.
According to her, placenta-eating (also known as placentophagy if you want to get scientific) has been practiced throughout history all over the world. Innumerable benefits are received by the mother who feasts on her own afterbirth. Hormonal regulation. Cessation of postpartum bleeding. Less risk for postpartum depression. Increased breastmilk production. Decreased likelihood for sleep disorders and insomnia. Energy replenishment. Vitamins and minerals. The glorious list seemed almost never-ending.
She explained that the placenta is like a superfood specific to the mother whose body produced it, similar to the way breastmilk regulates perfectly to the baby it is designed for. All the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that that were pulled from your body to nourish the baby now lay dormant in the placenta, just waiting for you to enjoy them. “The placenta is a powerful medicine and life force. If anyone else eats it, it’s just a healthy treat. But for the mother who just gave birth to it—it’s like manna from heaven,” she said enthusiastically.
“Yeah,” I replied. “Manna from heaven that just squirted out of your vagina. I mean seriously, are you going to make chili out of it, or what?” (I was kidding.)
“That’s funny you asked,” sounding more and more enthusiastic by the minute. “There are so many delicious ways to prepare placenta,” she informed me. “Placenta lasagna, placenta tacos, filet of placenta, placenta stew, placenta pot pie, roast placenta, placenta tartare, placenta cocktail, and yes, placenta chili is quite popular, so I hear.”
Uh huh. Quite popular. Quite popular indeed. I can only imagine.
But seriously, this friend of mine is really quite educated. A talented and successful midwife, she knows quite a lot about organic natural remedies and healing techniques for pregnant and postpartum mothers. And what could be more organic than gobbling up a tasty placenta stew?
After hanging up with her, I felt moved to do a little research of my own on the Internet about placenta consumption. Or placentophagy. Or cannibalism. Or whatever. I was surprised to find that placenta eating is actually a lot more common that I thought. There were so many websites expounding on the advantages of chowing on afterbirth, that I had to stop reading after my eyes began to go numb.
Not only does it sound like placenta-eating is really quite good for you—people who have actually dined on placenta claim that it is actually a tasty treat. Whole families on the Web were featured enthusiastically savoring the delightful flavors of enticing dishes like placenta stroganoff, placenta pizza, placenta fajitas, placenta curry, placenta pancakes, placenta popsicles, you name it. According to the placenta advocates, it doesn’t taste like chicken. But it does taste kind of liverish, with a chewy but not tough consistency.
I began to wonder if I had missed out by not making a meal out of the proceeds from my Cesarean section. How had I failed to learn about this powerful life-force that was right at my fingertips … er … I mean vagina lips.
Anyway, after doing my research I wanted to apologize to my friend for sounding so uneducated and ignorant when she had divulged her secret to me earlier. “I’m sorry,” I told her. “It sounds like placenta-eating is really quite … um … healthy and nourishing … and doesn’t even make you a cannibal at all. Did you decide how you … uh … want to prepare it?”
“Yes!” she replied, sounding greatly relieved that I was now on-board with her placenta plan. “My mom has offered to cook it any way I want. But you know what?”
I was on the edge of my seat. “What?” I said, unable to imagine what exotic dish she was going to ask her mom to prepare.
“I think I’m going to eat it raw.”
If you’re not already following Naomi’s blog Organic motherhood With Cool Whip then you really should be, she’s a scream. Naomi is also the lady behind the hilarious baby Lucha on Baby Banter and writes regularly for She Knows. Quite honestly I don’t know how she finds the time.
I'm Heather, an ex expat, now back in blighty and living in Lancashire. Which is just like Lapland only less snowy...and stuff.
Naomi, I have no words. Placenta chilli? Eeewww. I’m sorry, I don’t care how great it is for you, there is no way I’m eating something that has come out of my vagina!
Heather, trust me. I’m with you all the way. Placenta chili. Way nauseating … But on the other hand, placenta popsicles might be refreshing. Wouldn’t you say?
Placenta tartare, then… So will it come with fries and – wait for it – a raw egg in the centre? (God, I gross myself out sometimes…)
Now that sounds like a breakfast of champions.
I thought you were talking about a kind of cornmeal… and then realizes I was thinking about polenta. I think I might hold that thought for a little while longer.
I’m sure we could whip up a batch of placenta polenta if it’s corn you fancy…
Just sayin.
I probably shouldn’t have read that first thing in the morning over my bowl of cereal. I feel quite nauseous. Raw? RAW?
Oh come on now. Just admit it. You’re dying to try those placenta tacos. I’ll whip you up a tasty batch right now. Don’t be shy.
Very interesting.
dry retch
And healthy too! Mmmmmmmmmmm… *she said while trying not to vomit in her mouth*
Ohgod, I knew this was happening in like, other parts of the world, but I thought people who did this were either too poor to afford real food or crazy in the head. Thanks for proving me wrong…?
Good to know I’m not the only one who thought placenta eating was a kind of cannibalism at first. Now, please pass the placenta tartare. I’m starving.
Hi Heather, I am behind on reading your blog as usual, so am commenting out of synch. We are 12 days from departure to Lapland via St Petersburg. Your Northern Lights photos and the skiing in Ruka have got me very, very excited.
I’ve also replanned the packing as totally functional, layerable, windproof, and warm, warm, warm. OUt with the fashionable boots, jeans, stylish tops, and gorgeous coats.
Now it’s layers of thermals, fleeces, goretex, thinsulate, down coat, sock liners, glove liners, glam,our be gone!
I think I’ll even have to buy one of those sheepskin hats that come down over your ears and neck.
Back to you – your photos and descriptions are magical Heather. I’m really excited about coming to Lapland now.
Louise in Townsville
It might be healthy and life-giving and an anti-depressive but there’s no way on earth I’d dine on my own placenta. I mean BEURK!
I would love to see the faces of the French medical staff too if I asked them not to bin the bits but to put them in a doggy bag!
You know, it’s funny you mentioned that. Because a friend of mine did have that very problem at her hospital. She wanted to chow on the afterbirth, but the hospital said it was against policy. They sent the placenta to a funeral home and said she could pick it up for $400. I was amazed at the whole spectacle.
Having had a bad bout of PND, I totally considered it the second pregnancy. Seriously.
But only after I found out can have it freeze dried into little capsules to swallow. I could do that. I can’t even eat steak, let alone placenta…
So true!! Lots of folks around here have theirs made into vitamin-style capsules. There’s even a lady who does this as her business at home that lives near me. She has several entire freezers of other people’s placentas just sitting there in her garage. Waiting to be encapsulated. Good thing no one’s ever accused her of being a murderer. Cuz they might be a little suspicious if they saw her garage.
Ugggh!! Well, no breakfast for me then.
Oh come on. Don’t be shy. Here have some of these tasty blueberry-placenta muffins. They’ll cheer you right up!
Do you know Heather I am in my fifties now but my way out 70s ‘hey man’ parents of the 60s discussed placenta eating when my first brother was born – I remember being deeply disturbed (aged 4) and have never forgotten it – this post was therefore like some kind of nightmare revisited! anyhow, apparently it does contain loads of nutrients the new mum needs.
Yeah. I’ve had several friends tell me that they remember their parents being into this in the 70′s. I guess it like a Placenta Revival here in the new millenium. Or something.
edit – yes they spanned the 60s and 70s but the placenta moment was 26/8/1963
You forgot placenta smoothies…a dash of orange juice, a dollop of yogurt, a chunk of placenta and bob’s your uncle!
I seriously considered it with my second but never got round to it. The placenta sat in my freezer for a year until I finally binned it after realising I was never going to plant it in the garden as intended.
Mmmmmmm…sounds absolutely delicious. I think I have one of those tomorrow morning with my placenta pancakes.
Ya know, I eat almost everything (inlcuding cow brains) but this did kind of make me squeamish. I don’t know why.
I honestly can’t stomach any of it. I barely like to eat mushrooms because they remind me too much of meat. But then again, cow brains and placenta tacos really takes it up to a whole new level. Maybe those mushrooms aren’t so bad after all.
I will not tell you that I am with you on this Naomi.
My sister did this with her second, because she had severe postpartum issues with her first and according to her this helped her with her second.
As long as no one makes me do it.
Haa!!! Your sister is a stud. I, on the other hand, can barely handle preparing raw meat. My parents raised me vegetarian and I am just getting used to holding raw chicken and such. As for any of the tasty placenta treats mentioned above, I think I’ll wait til my next lifetime. Or later.
Yeah, well, brussell sprouts are good for you too and i’m not eating them either. I’m sticking with chocolate and ice cream.
I’m with you. Please pass the Ben & Jerrys.
Living where I do, this is a frequent topic on my local moms’ forum. Usually, the request is for someone who knows someone who can encapsulate the placenta.
There are always a large group of moms who rave about the benefits.
And the rest of us who try to act cool while trying to fight our gag reflex.
REally? You hear about this a lot? That’s interesting. I need to get in on that mom’s forum. I was completely shocked when I first heard about this. I really thought my friend was joking at first. But now I know that a lot of people really believe in it. Somehow, I haven’t been able to get used to the idea myself. But then again, I’m oddly intrigued by the stuffed animal placenta dolls they sell on the internet… I think there is something wrong with me.
One word:
California
Two words:
Central Coast
I’ve never heard of as actual meals or made into dolls, but burying it in the garden or planting a tree over it seems to be popular. And, like I said, encapsulation is a pretty frequent topic. Enough that I don’t even do my WTH face when I see the topic on the list.
I think I need to move to California. But then again, maybe not.
I would love to live near you, of course, though!!!
I truthfully just vomited in my mouth..a lot! tastes like liver? Come on, lie to me…tell me it tastes like ice cream, diet coke…heaven but not liver. It may be perfectly fabulous but I could never do it, even if my life indeed did depend on it. Not even if you soaked it in a mojito and drugged my up on Stadol first..now way!EWWWW!Shit, I jut vomited again!
Bwahahaaha!! Okay no placenta mojitos for you. I promise.
She’s brave thinking about it makes me was to vomit…
Awwwww…come on. Don’t be shy. I’m going to whip you up a tasty placenta stew here. I’m sure you’ll come around. See? Doesn’t that smell delightful?
OMG I don’t think I could do that. Just looking at the placenta made me feel queasy and I’m not a squimish person.
Yeah. It is pretty nasty looking. I saw my friend’s placenta and it was definitely less appealing than I had even imagined. I know I couldn’t stomach just taking a big bite out of it. Bleuch.
I was just about to have breakfast.
Now I am swallowing hard.
And not my placenta.
I have known about this practice for as long as I can remember, but had only known it to be more of a cultural/tribal custom. Had not heard of it happening in Western society though.
Eye-opening.
And vomit-inducing.
Oh come on now. You know you are intrigued. Let me just whip you up a fresh batch of placenta pancakes and I’m sure you’ll change your mind.
Oh dear God. Expecting no 2 any day now. Very interesting list of health benefits almost makes me wonder if I could manage it… no, I really, really don’t think I can. Bleurgh. I wonder if I can tell my husband I think it would be a good idea to consume the placenta with a straight face?
Please do! And report back with the results of your convo. I can’t wait to hear his reaction.
I heard that they can freeze dry it into pills. Still I shudder at the thought. It’s like you eating you. So wrong.
You’ve gotta read my post on someone who actually ate it! (If you can stomach it without barfing up the entire contents on your stomach and small instestine.) Here it is: http://organicmotherhoodwithcoolwhip.com/subBlog.asp?bID=105
Is it gluten free? Because lack of wheat has lowered my inhibitions…
Wow….wine and lack of wheat. Who knew they had the same effect? lol
Oh yes!! I’m absolutely sure it’s not only gluten free but allergen free completely. A fine complement to any healthy diet I’m sure. Wanna come to my Placenta Party next week? We can try it together. And then have a real bonding experience afterwards while we hold each other’s hair and stand over the toilet for the rest of the evening. It will be really special.
Okay…so the first half of that response…never.
The second half sounds like most of my early 20′s. Nothing like holding a girlfriend’s hair to speed up bonding.
I would definitely draw the line at eating it raw…well except if it came with some fava beans and a nice chianti
Fava beans and chianti make everything good.
Ok, so is still good for you to eat it at a year post partum?
I still have my daughter’s in our deep freezer and I was going to plant in under a tree or something, but now I am thinking I should eat it!
But is it only good to eat very newly post partum??
Yikes!! I don’t want to make that call and get your sick on a bad batch of placenta poptarts or something. I think it’s probably like any meat and it is good for a while in the freezer, but I couldn’t say for sure! If you do decide to eat it, I want DETAILS!!!!!!
Ok, so I talked to some of my midwife/doula friends today and they said it is still fine to eat it up to around 12 months frozen and that it would still be beneficial to me to eat it now…
So I’m gonna eat it!
I will tell all about it on my blog!
WHooooopeeee!!! I’m now stalking your blog. I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Like I said on your blog, I think this post is hilarious. But it still makes me gag. I like to think I’m pretty open minded, but there’s no way in hell I would ever eat my placenta.
Don’t worry Sarah, I’ll still be your BFF even if you are a plancenta hater. You know I love ya, sweetie!!! Thanks so much for coming by. xoxoxoxo
We ate mine, we made stew of it. We hadn’t really thought about it before but then the midwife handed it to us in a plastic bag and we thought we’d give it a go with all the apparent benefits.
What did it taste like? Did you feel like it helped you? Gave you energy? I want the deets!
It tasted like chicken
actually it tasted like a rich fowl, sort of pheasanty. Difficult to say if it helped me, no frame of reference. I did have more post partum energy than with subsequent births but that could be just that it was harder to rest with toddlers at home. I think it did increase my milk supply though, I was having problems with supply at the beginning, but can’t say for sure it was the placenta or just ‘normal’ supply/demand adjustments.
This bothers me and it hurts my stomach. But I’m fascinated, and repelled. I’d rather drink milk thistle tea and take a multivitamin.
ive heard along time ago that eatting it was good animals do it. we eat eggs which is sorta like chicken placenta (?). personally i wouldnt, i get quiesy over sauted onions,and i love onions. but to each their own.