So this is probably gross but I need your thoughts

[JTulo]

Anyone heard of eating the Placenta after birth? They say it's supposed to be really good for you, can minimize the chance of gettin PPD and help restore your hormones or something. Anyone ever done it? Anyone consider doing it?

[SallySue15]

I have heard of eating the placenta after giving birth, but I didn't do this, myself. Supposedly, the mother (only the mother should eat the placenta) can absorb hormones from the placenta that decrease the risk of postpartum depression, as you mentioned, as well as help to contract the uterus after giving birth.

There are recipes for things like placenta stew, placenta lasagna, or even placenta power drinks, that can be found online. Some mothers choose to consume the placenta raw. Consumed raw, this should definitely only be done by the mother, as there is a risk of spreading blood-borne illnesses like Hepatitis of HIV/AIDS. (Not that I really thought that you were going to have a family dinner and serve placenta tartare.)

The method that I found the most easy to handle was drying the placenta in an oven and grinding it into a powder with a mortar and pestle. The powdered placenta can then be put into capsules and taken like a supplement or added to food or drinks.

Really, I think that it comes down to a matter of personal preference. Healthy, well nourished women really have no medical need to consume the placenta. Otherwise, your OBGYN would be telling you that you need to do this. However, if your mother experienced PPD, it may not be a bad idea for you. It is really up to you and what you feel will make you healthy, and what you think is gross. If you want and can tolerate eating the placenta raw, then go with it.

Does anyone have any personal experience with consuming the placenta either cooked or raw? If so, please share your experience.

[Niecia]

Actually it’s my first time to hear about this. Totally gross! I hope you don’t mind sharing your experience about this.