Is It Time to Rethink Postpartum Placenta?

Worried about postpartum depression? Don’t want to take drugs? Try your placenta. Apparently there are postpartum doulas who can process your placenta into placenta pills (shown above). Thank God, because when I read about this at first I had visions of a fillet of placenta, sautéed up with onions and peppers. Eeeeww.

The practice of eating one’s placenta is called placentophagy. Because of its high content of progesterone and numerous vitamins and minerals, the placenta is thought to be quite effective in warding off postpartum depression, helps the uterus shrink back to normal size and stimulates milk production. In fact most mammals eat their placenta, including primates but not many humans. Maybe it’s time to start?

But still…placenta recipes? Oh they are out there. But, to me the pill sounds like such a better way to go. One question…what about the inevitable burp after – you know, like with fish oil pills or some vitamins? Yuck!

photo credit: danoxster