Giving birth can take a toll on new mothers, especially after the baby arrives. Studies have shown nearly a quarter of all new moms experience some degree of postpartum depression. To combat the symptoms, some women have chosen a controversial approach – the ingestion of the human placenta.
Sage Khouerie admitted she was concerned about giving birth after the age of 40. So the 41-year old chose to ingest her placenta to avoid postpartum symptoms; the action of doing so is called placentaphagy.
"I was 40 when I delivered. I thought 'Wow, this could be a little tougher on me than a younger woman and I want to be open to anything that would make it easier'," said Khouerie.
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To each her own, but I just couldn't do it. I'm a bit too mainstream for that; the thought admittedly makes me a bit green. I don't even like to watch animals on TV do it, let alone people. bleh...
It's definitely an interesting topic, and I can't say that I haven't thought of doing it after this baby is born. I still get a little grossed out by the idea, but if it can help me avoid postpartum depression I'll consider it!
As doulas, has anyone discussed placentaphagy with their clients? Either by bringing it up or in response to a client wanting to discuss it?
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I will have it encapsulated next time and I will take the capsules. I don't want to do it myself though, so I am going to send it off next time rather than freezing it right after.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rootsandwingsdoula
As doulas, has anyone discussed placentaphagy with their clients? Either by bringing it up or in response to a client wanting to discuss it?
I don't bring it up. No one ever has yet, but if a client brought it up to me, though, I wouldn't share my personal thoughts but instead gladly refer her to others that I know could help her with that. I'm just not the right person to do it.
Not to offend anyone else, as these are just my own personal thoughts and feelings, but it seems a bit like canibalism to me. I wouldn't eat my placenta any sooner than I'd eat any of my other organs or limbs. That's just me, though, and placentaphagy is not something that I'm likely to get past enough to be able to advise or help anyone with doing it. I'll end this again with my true thoughts of "to each her own".
I had one client who ate some of her placenta - she had severe post-partum depression after her first baby and was willing to try anything that might help. She was a homebirth client.
I personally wouldn't do it, but to each his own. She had no ppd issues at all the second time - who knows if the placenta-eating had anything to do with it.
Well, I have to admit I am a VERY queezy person when it comes to eating. For example, I once threw up when I found a grasshopper in my salad at a restaurant. So I really doubt I could ingest a raw placenta (I hear my stomach churn as I write this ) But I would be fine if someone else chooses to do it. Even if I do have to look away. I may not do it, but it's cool if someone else wants to
I did it for my last one, I encapsulated with hubby's help. But I had gone through severe ppd with 2 previous babies, and was sick of being on anti-depressants. I had too many side effects and whatever else . . . anyways, I could never actaully "eat" it. But I never felt better after having a baby! It took me a while to think of it as okay, and when freinds found out what I had decided to do, they all thought I was nuts, but after it was all said and done, and when I never had the same feelings after my last one, my husband is very glad I chose that route.
The smell when you are cooking it though . . .
It's definitely an interesting topic, and I can't say that I haven't thought of doing it after this baby is born. I still get a little grossed out by the idea, but if it can help me avoid postpartum depression I'll consider it!
As doulas, has anyone discussed placentaphagy with their clients? Either by bringing it up or in response to a client wanting to discuss it?
I hand out flyers and brochures and talk ALOT in classea about prevention of PPD and restoration of balance by doing this.
I've also invited the local PB lady but out schudules haven't lined up as yet
Is there any research/studies out on the benefits of eating the placenta that anyone has?
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"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals". ~J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Another one here who encapsulated after the last baby (had PPD after #5) and never felt better. Bear in mind, though, I also took a B-complex and Omega 3's after the birth. I didn't even get the "blues" on the third day as I always did. I was sold. I'm hoping to actually become the "local PB lady" out here, but I have to get my CBI course all out of the way and CBE classes started, first.
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More Mothers Opting To Eat Their Own Placentas
Quote:
I'm a bit too mainstream for that; the thought admittedly makes me a bit green. I don't even like to watch animals on TV do it, let alone people. bleh...
) But I would be fine if someone else chooses to do it. Even if I do have to look away. I may not do it, but it's cool if someone else wants to 
