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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

placenta recipes, anyone?

78 replies

miranda2 · 06/12/2004 21:50

EVer since my last (and first) birth, I've regretted not having seen the placenta (it was forceps in theatre with caesarean threatened - all very clinical). I'm definitely putting in my birth plan this time that I want to see it. But I also remember reading somewhere that eating the placenta was supposed to be good for preventing PND, and suddenly found myself the other night thinking about eating it (which I'd always dismissed as a beardy-weirdy, knit-your-own-yoghurt sort of thing to do before!). I just mentioned it to my dh, sure it would freak him out, and to my complete astonishment he was fairly positive, even said he'd eat it too (but drew the line at offering it to friends!!). He told me to ask mumsnet for recipes, so don't let me down!
Out of interest, has anyone here actually eaten theirs? What did it taste like? We went on to have a hilarious conversation about what we'd do with it if we didn't like it - bury it? No, the foxes might get it...burn it? Pour flaming brandy over it, take a picture and use it as a 'xmas pud' image on next years christmas card????

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
wobblystarryknicks · 06/12/2004 23:02

Levanna - I know I'm going mad when I start declaring that my placenta was better looking than someone else's!!!

sallyhollyberry · 06/12/2004 23:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wobblystarryknicks · 06/12/2004 23:04

sally - know exactly what you mean about the blob!! Almost expected mine to roll off the table and engulf my mw!!!

Levanna · 06/12/2004 23:05

wobblystarryknicks.....Blush you may have a point there!

wobblystarryknicks · 06/12/2004 23:05
Grin
JoolsTide · 06/12/2004 23:07

I've never seen one - not one of mine or dgs as I was present at his birth - they must have whipped away when I wasn't looking - perhaps it was lunch Shock

Levanna · 06/12/2004 23:07

Or, maybe they're like babies......every mum thinks hers is most beautiful Wink.

MaryChristmas · 06/12/2004 23:13

My dogs used to love placenta......from the cows that had just given birth that is. Eugh!
Perhaps you could toss it in breadcrumbs and deep fry it and serve it with salad and a nice red!

Where's the sick smiley when you need it?

Sorry Miranda, all kudos to you, but it ain't our style in this household!

Have fun though with your culinary thoughts.... Smile

wobblystarryknicks · 06/12/2004 23:13

In that case, should they provide a service where they wrap it in a shawl and take its picture for posterity, like they come round and do with babies?

Levanna · 06/12/2004 23:27

....and maybe a bounty pack including salt, pepper, bouquet garni, and a nice bottle of red?
Grin

Joking aside, I find it a really interesting subject. I have a friend who has several friends placentas in her freezer awaiting the time that she plants them under trees on her land Smile. I find that a nice thought.

JoolsTide · 06/12/2004 23:28

placentas under trees - she'll have a forest before she knows it Grin

TheHollyAndTheTwiglett · 07/12/2004 14:24

there's far too many hippies in this world Grin

catinthehat · 07/12/2004 14:50

miranda2 - definitely try having a look at least, it is the most fascinating thing.The umbilical cord feels so tough and unbreakable almost like hard plastic. I'm glad I had a look at my placenta, because a little segment was missing inside me, so I wasn't shocked when it worked its way out some time later. Never seriously thought about eating a bit, but I guess it would deteriorate fairly quickly so would need cold storage if you were in hospital. Ignore the hippie putdowns. Let us know how you get on??

Dophus · 07/12/2004 15:14

I'm sorry can someone pleae explain this to me. Why on earth would you want to eat your placenta. I can understand wanting to have a good look (I'm curious) but to eat it!!!?

Worse still to eat someone elses (aaauurgggh)...

We fortunately live in a western society where any potential nutritional benefit to a new mother can be obtained from alternative sources!!

PocketTasha · 07/12/2004 15:17

miranda2... Oh god i've started writing now i don't know what to say... Having looked at those pics from levanna, i am feeling quite pleased that i didn't look at mine and ds's. I really wanted to get a better look this time round, (Due in five weeks), but... i think that's put me off. I think if you WANT to do then go for it.. But.. Well my main thought is be careful cooking it if you do i suppose... I don't know what i mean, i'm rambling [confused emoticon]. I guess i mean... pick a good recipe? I suppose it's not really something you'd want to get wrong should you decide to do it. Don't burn it or anything.. it's not like you can nip to the shops and get another one! iyswim.

PocketTasha · 07/12/2004 15:22

Oh god... Eating your own is one thing, perhaps a little odd, but hey if it's what you want...

But eating someone elses? NO NONONONONO! Thinking about it i don't think i could even let someone eat mine, even if i wanted to myself.. I think i'd feel quite protective over it. (Have i finally lost the plot?) it's just.. what if they didn't like it? I'd be really insulted! (ok i have lost the plot...)

leglepartridgeinapeartree · 07/12/2004 15:24

why?how?why?no!

motherinfestivemood · 07/12/2004 15:30

I was totally fascinated by the only one of mine I've seen - mind you I was gloriously off my trolley on gas and air and had just mistaken my newborn baby's labia for testicles.

Didn't want to eat it, though.

aBeanInaManger · 07/12/2004 15:32

nooooooooooooo! I wish I had had a better look at mine, but the thought of eating it is making me feel sick! And I would never let someone else eat it, like tasha says, what if they didn't like it? I once left a bottle of ebm with a friend, who drank some and then told me that it tasted horrible. I was so embarrassed, and a bit insulted and annoyed.

PocketTasha · 07/12/2004 15:39

aBeaninaManger... You have no idea how glad i am that someone else feels the same! Thought i was truely off my trolly with mummy hormones! Grin

sunchowder · 07/12/2004 15:43

God I love this site....

Cinderellascarrieg · 07/12/2004 15:46

Dh once put some leftover EBM down for the cats & I didn't know whether to be a) grossed out or b) insulted that they didn't drink it - settled for c) both...Wink

hester · 07/12/2004 15:52

This thread is making me laugh far more than is seemly in a professional environment... Grin

But Miranda, don't let them put you off! You go for it! (Just make sure you remember to actually go through with whatever you decide to do... I could tell you a repulsive story about my brother putting my SIL's placenta in the garden shed, ready for ritual burial under a tree, and then forgetting about it for some time... but no, I won't; just thinking about it brings my lunch up.)

They can be quite awesomely ugly, though. When I was birth partner for my friend she delivered a massive, massive placenta. Even the midwives were impressed: 'Blimey, this one's from the mothership!' She then waved it in my friend's face, saying 'You'll be wanting to take this home for your tea, then?' My mate, who had been considering doing exactly that, screamed, 'Get it away from me!!'

PocketTasha · 07/12/2004 15:54

I once used my own ebm in my coffee.. Didn't really see a problem as it was my own, i wanted coffee and we had run out of milk! (perhaps it's no different with placenta's....)

PocketTasha · 07/12/2004 15:55

Hester - PMSL!!! Grin...