Would you eat your own placenta?

I personally wouldn’t and the mere thought of it makes me gag. Earlier in the week I was watching ‘How to be a good mother’ hosted by Sharon Horgan. Sharon, like many of us, was questioning her own parenting skills and went to visit 6 mothers who have very different approaches to parenting.

Introducing the mums
There was a young mother 27 who had 6 children, all home births and are all home schooled. Another who believes in extended breastfeeding, no nappies, co-sleeping, frowns upon all modern inventions including prams and is a wet-nurse. One is a busy working mum who is incredibly organised thanks to technology. She has a nanny who is required to send photos to mum daily, has 1000 of apps on her phone, schedules a video conference with her son every day and has the most amazing communication platform (chalk board) in the kitchen.

The one I could associate with the most was the ex-stuntwoman, wicked step mother and dress couture. She never wanted children of her own, inherited some step children, but then found herself pregnant. She strongly believes that children shouldn’t be wrapped in cotton wool and that helicopter parents aren’t doing their children any favours, which I completely agree with. However, I do think she takes a few unnecessary risks as she doesn’t believe in bike helmets for children. Eeek!

Penchant for placenta
But the one that I can’t get out of my head is the one that has a penchant for placenta. When her own child was born and the midwife wasn’t looking, she sneaked a piece and wolfed it down. Bleuch! She’s turned her love of placentas into her own home business. People send her their placentas and she cooks them up and not wasting a thing. She makes heart shaped window charms out of the umbilical chord, drying them to preserve them. She also visits new mothers in their homes and by request blends up the placenta with fruit to make a smoothie. Apparently it tastes quite nice.

I appreciate that umbilical stem cell research can help in the treatment of things like Parkinsons, Diabetes, Burns and Arthritis but I’m fairly sure the patients don’t ingest them.

So, the question is, would you eat your own placenta? Do you believe there are health benefits or is this woman crackers?

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Author: mediocremum

A slightly older mum of one, who drinks far too much red wine and has an unhealthy obsession with her slow cooker. During the day she's an ICT Trainer, Social Media/Online Marketing consultant and does a bit of public speaking. Full Profile on Google+

5 thoughts on “Would you eat your own placenta?”

  1. Don’t know that I would eat / drink my placenta, but “might” consider getting it made into a homeopathic pill. There has been talk for many years (I’ve been a midwife for 17 years now, and presages my training!) about benefits in particular of warding off postnatal depression. So I can understand consuming some of the hormonal elements found in placentas might be beneficial (though uncertain if theyd be destroyed through the preparation processes? ) With regards to nutritional content, I personally think we are lucky enough to have access to a huge range of foodstuffs (regardless of whether we are meat eaters, vegan, vegetarian, fruitarian…..,) which are rich in nutrients and are unlikely to be so deficient that only placenta will do! Good luck to those that want to eat their placentas, not sure it’s really for me though!

  2. I wouldn’t say women who eat their own placenta are crackers but it definitely isn’t for me. I saw my placenta and had it rubbed under my nose right after it flopped out and I just can’t imagine eating it. Would feel a bit like eating my own liver or heart to me. I like the idea of doing sentimental things like planting a tree or rose bush on it though…

  3. Ughh. Sorry, feel a bit sick at the thought of it!

    I don’t think any health benefits would make me want to eat it. I’m sure it’s only cows that eat the placenta. And even then it makes me queesy!

  4. Eeeew! No thanks. I’m not a big meat eater at the best of time, so placenta isn’t going to do it for me. I’m not sure about the health benefits either – a nurse friend of mine believes that the benefits are all for the baby when it’s growing inside you, but as soon as the placenta is delivered and the cord cut, the nutrients left are few and far between. I wouldn’t be against anybody else wanting to eat their placenta though – just not at my dinner table.

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