When my first child was born, I salted it and waited for it to fall of its own accord. (I gave birth in a hospital-unplanned-and they allowed me to keep the placenta intact). Then I dried it at a very low temperature in the oven over two days. I wish I had taken some of it fresh and raw as, for various reasons, I became quite deficient from his birth. I kept it for quite some time after that and one day, a fellow acupuncture student who was in to crystals suggested I potentize a crystal with the energy of the placenta. We did this and I kept the crystal near my son whenever he slept. I wondered at the time if we could potentize water, like a flower essence or homeopathy, to give the the child in times of transition or just when he is upset. The placentas of my next two children were “cleaned up” by some well meaning helpers. I regret this and suggest that anyone planning a birth, plan their wish for the placenta also and make sure everyone knows your wishes.

As far as using human placenta to prevent PND, there is anecdotal evidence that this may help, but I have not seen any formal studies. In this case, it would be preferable to use the baby’s placenta fresh, as drying reduces the hormonal content, which is thought to be the mechanism. Some people cook the baby’s placenta and eat it straight away, and others cut it into chunks and freeze it, swallowing one ‘chunk’ or so every day. Again, the impact of cooking or freezing on hormones has not, to my knowledge, been investigated. Other mammals eat their offspring’s placentas raw straight after birth.

For a comprehensive and fascinating (albeit old) neuroscience review of placentophagia (eating the placenta) see http://cogprints.org/757/00/gustibus.htm
This paper quotes one blinded human study showing that ingesting ground placenta helped with milk supply, and also notes that placentophagia in rats seems to aid with maternal behaviour, possibly by raising level of hormones such as beta-endorphin.

As far as your baby’s placenta is concerned, I do not recommend that you ingest it after 6 months in the freezer. Comparable meats such as liver can be safely frozen for 3 months, which I would see as the limit for a placenta as well. It can be a lovely and fitting ritual, as you suggest, to plant your child’s ‘tree of life’ under a tree

My final comments for those considering placentophagia: please remember that the placenta is actually an external organ belonging to your baby, not to you, and be respectful to this relationship, whatever your choices.

Sarah J Buckley
GP/family physician, mother, author of
Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: The wisdom and science of gentle choices in pregnancy, birth, and parenting

I have heard that by drying the placenta (post birth!) it can be used as a source of nourishment to prevent PND and later in life to assist as a natural nutritional supplement to smooth transition into menopause - a natural HRT. However, I can’t find any further information on it and still have my sons placenta in the deep freeze!!! Thankfully I haven’t needed it for PND but would like to find out if I can get on with drying and grinding … or should I be planting it under a friends tree as we’re moving OS in three months so time is running out. It’s almost 6 months old and was frozen within 4 hours of birthing it - I didn’t do a complete lotus birth but did keep everything in tact until the placenta was out and I was sure my newborn son was ready to part with it.

This notion is rumoured to be of Asian descent … I’ll keep searching but if you do know anything, please share!

Many thanks
Ruth
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