The placenta doesn't have a very sexy reputation. In fact, I think that was the first time the words "placenta" and "sexy" have ever been in the same sentence.
When it comes time to deliver a baby, all the focus is (understandably) on the baby. Some women are totally surprised when their care provider says, "Ok. The placenta is about to be delivered. Give me a little push." What?!
The placenta is an organ that is created for the purpose of fostering growth of a woman’s baby while in her uterus. Women who are not pregnant do not have a placenta.
Until Kim Kardashian talked about the possibility of consuming her placenta on reality TV, many people did not know that was something mainstream, educated, 21st century women did. Like January Jones.
But women have been consuming their placenta for many reasons, in many ways, and for many hundreds of years.
Why, you ask?
Benefits:
There are some that claim consuming ones placenta has no value and is a trend equivalent to a traveling sales person and Carter’s magical pills. However, if we are going off of anecdotal stories, there are many more positive stories about women who have benefited than those that feel it was a waste.
I am not here to convince anyone that placentophagia is for her. But, I do want women to know that it is an option, and can help with recovery.
Think of it this way, if you decide you don’t want to take your placenta home and have a trained professional process it for your consumption that is ok. But at the time you make that decision (in the hospital after it is delivered, in the third stage of labor), you won’t know what your recovery path will be.
Will you need help with milk production? Will you have postpartum depression?
So it is an insurance policy. You never have to take them. But what if you do?
Authored by A Swift Doula
When it comes time to deliver a baby, all the focus is (understandably) on the baby. Some women are totally surprised when their care provider says, "Ok. The placenta is about to be delivered. Give me a little push." What?!
The placenta is an organ that is created for the purpose of fostering growth of a woman’s baby while in her uterus. Women who are not pregnant do not have a placenta.
Until Kim Kardashian talked about the possibility of consuming her placenta on reality TV, many people did not know that was something mainstream, educated, 21st century women did. Like January Jones.
But women have been consuming their placenta for many reasons, in many ways, and for many hundreds of years.
Why, you ask?
Benefits:
- Increase in energy, milk production
- Decrease in blood loss, baby blues or postpartum depression
There are some that claim consuming ones placenta has no value and is a trend equivalent to a traveling sales person and Carter’s magical pills. However, if we are going off of anecdotal stories, there are many more positive stories about women who have benefited than those that feel it was a waste.
I am not here to convince anyone that placentophagia is for her. But, I do want women to know that it is an option, and can help with recovery.
Think of it this way, if you decide you don’t want to take your placenta home and have a trained professional process it for your consumption that is ok. But at the time you make that decision (in the hospital after it is delivered, in the third stage of labor), you won’t know what your recovery path will be.
Will you need help with milk production? Will you have postpartum depression?
So it is an insurance policy. You never have to take them. But what if you do?
Authored by A Swift Doula
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