...and a side order of placenta please

[HeartsOpenWide]

I was wondering if any of you have run into mamas that want to eat their placentas. I know it is done, I have read about it in some birth books from the 70's and 80's. I just wondered how common it is today and if any one every runs across it. Would it be against hospital policy? A friend told me she wanted to keep hers to plant a tree and they would not give it to her because they said it was a bio-hazard, therefore it could not leave the hospital.

[KathyRN99]

Have you ever wondered how all other mammals give birth so well without IV Pitocin post partum and without Motrin? The placenta is full of hormones-like oxytocin-that do help control bleeding post partum. A researcher in New York found that placentas contain an opiod agonist which may help decrease pain post partum. Please don't think about eating anyone else's placenta. But, eat your own, it is perfectly healthy and may have several health benefits.

See this:

http://cogprints.org/180/

[mstigerlily]

Fascinating!!! Now that you mention it, as a child I watched our cats give birth a few times and I remember seeing them nibble at the placenta!!! UGH.

Have you ever wondered how all other mammals give birth so well without IV Pitocin post partum and without Motrin? The placenta is full of hormones-like oxytocin-that do help control bleeding post partum. A researcher in New York found that placentas contain an opiod agonist which may help decrease pain post partum. Please don't think about eating anyone else's placenta. But, eat your own, it is perfectly healthy and may have several health benefits.

See this:

http://cogprints.org/180/

[nurse4theplanet, RN]

I think I would rather have the synthetic version, thanks.