Would you eat afterbirth?
By Emmapep
@Emmapep (98)
January 14, 2009 5:33pm CST
I know it's rare but some cultures do, it's called placentophagia and some people believe it prevents post-natal depression and helps contract the uterus. I find the idea really disgusting, but then dogs and other animals eat the palcenta after birth, so maybe it is a natural thing that we have distanced ourselves from, what do you think? Would you try it??
2 people like this
9 responses
@Intention8 (23)
• United States
15 Jan 09
I know it sounds so gross but if you fry it up with some onions and garlic and season it just right.... yuch! However, considering that all animals who produce placenta eat the afterbirth to give them strength and properly nourish their children. I'm really not sure but I would do anything for the betterment of my children and if that means eating afterbirth I think I will. I think animals eat this because they survive on hunting so until they can leave the babies to hunt they need to eat something to keep the milk production on.
So... if there was famine, I lived in the wild, or just an extremely over zealous mother I don't think so.
@phoenix25 (1541)
• United States
17 Jan 09
Well, it does make sense that an animal could benefit from eating the afterbirth. The mother would not be able to hunt as she would have to stay with the babies and protect them. If there is a father, he would have to hunt food for both of them, so there could be a shortage if he can't find enough food...so the mother could stay healthy and quickly replace some nutrients by eating the afterbirth. For people, though, we have food readily available and don't have to hunt for it, so I think eating the placenta is completely unnecessary.
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
17 Jan 09
I've heard of it and frankly it's gross. I had seen it on cable yrs ago showing a man frying up his childs placenta and eating it. EWWWWW!
@Galena (9110)
•
15 Jan 09
it doesn't sound very pleasant, but then virtually all animals do it, including herbivores.
I am certain there must be a lot of health benefits to it, as it's the most natural thing you could do, especially after losing iron and nutrients during childbirth.
I still can't imagine that I ever would, but I do think it's probably a shame that culturally we've lost this tradition, as it is such a healthy and beneficial thing to do.
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
15 Jan 09
welcome to the wonderful world of mylot emma. there is o border that separates us from animals. so there are things that they can do taht we cant do. and there are also things that we can do that they dont. i dont think my wife will try to do that har har har. i respect what other cultures do if that is what they want but i pity on people who are force to do it just because of their culture. just my views.
@phoenix25 (1541)
• United States
17 Jan 09
Ew...no way, man. Totally disgusting. Just because animals eat it doesn't mean we have to. :P
@3cardmonte (5098)
•
15 Jan 09
It's apparently really good for you as it contains loads of iron. But it would taste like blood! as thats essentailly one of its main components, I cant even eat red meat as it tastes too bloody!
@laglen (19759)
• United States
14 Jan 09
I certainly would not. My uterus contracted just fine on it's own. Regarding post-partum depression, there are so many other ways to handle this!
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
14 Jan 09
It does sound disgusting. Ewww! But, if it works for other people then I guess it's okay, just not for me 
@CRIVAS (1815)
• Canada
14 Jan 09
Not in a million years would I ever try it. I got to see my placenta after I gave birth and the sight alone was enough to make me sick. To actually think about eating what I saw is enough to make me sickto my stomach. YUK! I don't judge others for eating it in different cultures but you won't catch me doing it,LOL.
