Waterbirth and eating the placenta

motherwise · 02-16-2006, 07:55 PM

My first waterbirth client is 39 wks and I am totally excited! There is only one place around here to offer (allow) waterbirth (well, except for homebirth of course!). It's a freestanding birth center that I have worked at before, but that ended up in transfer. Anyway here is my question: Anyone ever attended a waterbirth before? I mainly want to know what things are helpful for mom while she is IN the water. I know to make sure she drinks plenty of water, probably cool cloth on the face/neck and verbal encouragement...any other waterbirth-specific tricks??

Also, she just told me today that she plans on eating a bit of the placenta, which I totally support b/c of all the benefits. She asked me if I would mind cutting off a piece and feeding it to her right after the birth. I said yes, I am totally fine with that. i was just wondering if anyone has any experience with this. Also, do you have to wait untill the cord is cut to snip off a piece?

Can't wait to see what you girls say about this

Should be interesting

Tiffany · 02-16-2006, 08:01 PM

I have absoluely no experience with anyone eating the placenta but I highly recommend you "Google" it!

I've run across some stories and stuff about it on the Net, however you never know if they are true or not so I'd make sure it's a reputable source. Maybe someone on here will have some experience to share.

motherwise · 02-16-2006, 08:24 PM

I've known about eating the placenta for a long time. The placenta is full of natural oxytocins which are responsible for contracting the uterus and minimizing postpartum bleeding. The hormones contained are said to also help 'balance' a woman out and hence help with the afer-birth 'shakes' as well as reducing liklihood of PPD. Woman who eat their placenta also reportedly have better success with breastfeeding, as the high level of estrogen apparently encourages lactation. But it's different to 'know' about something and then to actually DO it, KWIM...

Tiffany · 02-16-2006, 08:49 PM

I know what you mean.

I didn't mean to google for the benefits of it, I meant to look for stories of other women who may have experienced eating it. I can't recall anyone here ever mentioning it yet, so I figured you'd have better luck finding some stories on the net. Although, since it hasn't been brought up here before I wonder if there is anyone...

tlcdoula · 02-16-2006, 09:11 PM

Sorry, no experience with eating of the placenta. Not to sound mean, but yuck - also not judging anyone because I am a picky eater LOL.

I have been to a waterbirth and to be honest I didn't do a whole heck of a lot because the dad was holding onto mom and rather quickly after mom got in she was pushing and the baby arrived.

motherwise · 02-16-2006, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiffany

I know what you mean.

I didn't mean to google for the benefits of it, I meant to look for stories of other women who may have experienced eating it. I can't recall anyone here ever mentioning it yet, so I figured you'd have better luck finding some stories on the net. Although, since it hasn't been brought up here before I wonder if there is anyone...

I thoght I better post that just in case anyone was wondering

That's a good idea though, I think I'll do me some research

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlcdoula

Sorry, no experience with eating of the placenta. Not to sound mean, but yuck - also not judging anyone because I am a picky eater LOL.

I have been to a waterbirth and to be honest I didn't do a whole heck of a lot because the dad was holding onto mom and rather quickly after mom got in she was pushing and the baby arrived.

It's not mean...I think 'yuck' is probably the general consensus...but interesting! I don't know if I could...I mean, I am vegetarian

teachinmamaof4 · 02-16-2006, 10:11 PM

I've had two waterbirths. Make sure she takes a sip of water after EVERY contraction.

I can't really help w/ other things to help her. I'm the type where I don't want/need to be touched or have someone right there while I labor. Just having dh in the room is enough for me.

Quote:

Also, do you have to wait untill the cord is cut to snip off a piece?

Well.....you won't be able to even touch the placenta until it's delivered so unless she's planning a lotus birth, it will probably be cut.

IIRC, she needs to eat it as soon as possible but I could be wrong there. She doesn't need a huge piece. I've also read it's best to hold the piece between gum and cheek.

Here are a couple other ideas for her:
Placenta smoothie
Placenta Essence - I was going to do this but didn't have the extra money for the liquer.

If you go to Mothering.com/discussions and search for "eating placenta", you'll find TONS of info.

HTH!

~Tranquility~Doula · 02-16-2006, 10:22 PM

I have a Big Gulp cup in my bag to pour water over mom's belly very slowly and rhythmically during surges. They really seem to like that. Other than that just do what comes naturally.

I have a client in May that will be eating her placenta. Actually, I'll be making a placenta smoothie. The plan is to have the midwife cut a piece off and I'll take it to the kitchen and whip up the smoothie. This is the first time I'll be making one or seeing anyone eat(drink) their placenta so I'll let you know how it goes!

I was also going to suggest going to MDC and searching for "eating placenta".

Need2read · 02-16-2006, 10:39 PM

I would probably give my boyfriend the shivers if I ate my placenta. haha. I just don't know how I feel about that. I am not picky as much as particular about what I eat, as well as vegetarian. On a side note I wanted to add: I was thinking about way back when...and when prehistoric/ancient momma's gave birth. They were probably famished. What better to eat, ya know? Don't other mammals eat their plancenta, too?

Also, just wanted to add that while mothering has lots of info I feel that sometimes people there can be erm.. overly opinionated and come off as attacking... *personal experience* That is why I like this very much neutral and welcoming forum.

Stacie · 02-16-2006, 10:39 PM

nak. interesting, even a vegetarian could eat placenta, technically, because although it is an organ, it is the only meat that is obtained without the slaughter of an animal

.

bon appetite!

I usually get a pitcher from the kicthenette at the hospital to use to pour water on mom -- that part of you that sticks out of the water can really get cold!

Luv2bemommy · 02-16-2006, 11:06 PM

Wow, interesting.. I know people did eat their placenta but still, kinda eww.. LOL I didnt know about all the great benefits though! I'll have to do more reading up on this!

I havent expierenced a water birth (yet) or been to one (yet) but I have read and seen on "House of babies" (yes I

that show!) that moms love water poured over their bellies during contractions.. Just like what everyone else has said, so I'm no help, just thought I would hop in..

motherwise · 02-16-2006, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teachinmamaof4

Well.....you won't be able to even touch the placenta until it's delivered so unless she's planning a lotus birth, it will probably be cut.

IIRC, she needs to eat it as soon as possible but I could be wrong there. She doesn't need a huge piece. I've also read it's best to hold the piece between gum and cheek.

Here are a couple other ideas for her:
Placenta smoothie
Placenta Essence - I was going to do this but didn't have the extra money for the liquer.

If you go to Mothering.com/discussions and search for "eating placenta", you'll find TONS of info.

HTH!

Thanks! I've actually already been to mothering.com and of course, there was alot of good info from people who have actually done it...I was wondering from a doula's perspective

Thanks for the placenta essence recipe, I think she will like that one. She is going to save what she doesn't eat after the birth and make smoothies, and I think she'd like to see this.

As far as the cord thing, I meant can you snip a piece of the placenta off while the it still attached and the cord is still pulsing (like RIGHT after it is birthed) or does it matter? I tend to think it wouldn't matter, but wasn't sure.
Thanks!

Oh...haha, I guess I could technically eat the placenta as a veggie, but it would remind me of meat, kwim? I've been vegan for so long...it would be wierd. I think I'd have more of a problem if it reminded me of meat than the thought that it is a placenta

AmberTerhune · 02-17-2006, 01:17 AM

Here's another site with placenta recipes.
http://www.geocities.com/virtualbirth/placenta.html

teachinmamaof4 · 02-17-2006, 01:18 AM

Depending on how long it takes the placenta to birth, the cord will have stopped pulsating. Of course I'm only going on my births but the cord stopped well before I birthed the placenta.

Water poured over the belly.....I think it depends on the Mom. That would have totally bugged me. But it's just because of the way I labor. When the cntx are intense, I need to focus and be still thru them and anything else distracts me. The pool I used had my belly totally in the water so it wasn't an issue. Maybe if I had been in a bath/garden tub I would have felt differently.

heathenmamaof5 · 02-17-2006, 01:55 AM

What an interesting thread! I didn't eat any placentas. My initial reaction is

But hey, that's just me. The health benefits are fascinating. I might have considered having just a tiny bit to chew on after the birth. But that would have had to be in the last 2 pg's. Before that I was pretty mainstream.

I'm off to bed!

Night Ladies,

Jill