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- Yes, There’s a Placenta in My Freezer
by Dr. Sarah Thompson
Updated: June 2, 2020
Originally Published: May 13, 2016
Recently, during a conversation with a fellow parent and writer, I found myself revealing some of the embarrassing realities of my home life. What began as a confession about my messy house quickly spiraled into a competition of who could share the most outrageous stories. I felt certain that my final revelation had secured me the win: I seem to be curating a collection of placentas.
It all started innocently. My partner and I enrolled in prenatal classes led by a wonderfully earthy doula, who I suspect had a pretty high hippie quotient. It was fitting, as many of the other expectant parents in our class shared similar unconventional views. We were all on board with midwifery, and some even planned home births. So, when our instructor introduced the idea of placenta encapsulation—transforming the organ that nourished our babies into vitamin-rich pills—we were all ears.
“Placentas are packed with nutrients that benefit your child!”
“You’re used to those nutrients; it’s only logical to gradually wean off them instead of discarding them!”
“We’re the only species that doesn’t consume our placentas after childbirth!”
All of this sounded reasonable enough.
I had grown quite attached to the idea of these encapsulated remnants of my body. After all, that placenta was created to sustain my little girl; tossing it seemed unthinkable. Conveniently, our doula offered placenta encapsulation services, passionately advocating for the method. As a result, nearly all the mothers in our class opted for it, which involved cooking the placenta with traditional herbs before dehydrating it—a process I’d rather not delve into. The intention was to alleviate postpartum stress and bolster emotional well-being.
To my surprise, my order came with a variety of free extras. I received a tincture for teething relief, placenta water, and even commemorative artwork featuring prints of my placenta. There was also my dehydrated umbilical cord, fashioned into a heart and stored in an organza bag—definitely a bit peculiar.
Yet, I took those placenta pills for several weeks, hoping they would help with my breastfeeding struggles. However, after a bout of mastitis, I lost the motivation to continue, ultimately letting the pills gather dust on my counter for three years.
My partner was less than thrilled about the $100 spent on those pills, and every few months, he would give them a disapproving glance, reminding me of the money wasted. If I had just discarded them, we could have both moved on. Instead, they lingered, a constant reminder of that decision.
Fast forward nearly three years, and I gave birth to my second child—a boy—at home. It felt more adventurous than granola, especially given my previous experience with epidurals. After delivering my hefty 9-pound baby, my midwife showed me the placenta. Amazed, I realized that my body had crafted that remarkable organ.
When asked what I wanted to do with it, I hesitated. I didn’t want to shell out another $100, but tossing it in the trash felt wrong. Still weary from labor, I agreed to store it in a Tupperware in the freezer until I could decide.
Now, a year and a half later, it remains tucked away. Periodically, I sift through the freezer for dinner options, and my gaze inevitably lands on that unmarked container. I often think, “What’s in that Tupperware? Oh right, my placenta.” Yet, I never seem to take action.
I do worry about the day my mother decides to prepare a meal using mystery meat from our freezer. Can you imagine her confusion when she realizes it’s not the beef she expected? My dad and partner would be chewing away while I sit, torn between disgust and relief that my placenta finally served a purpose.
For those navigating similar journeys, there are excellent resources available, such as those provided by Women’s Health for pregnancy and home insemination, and Make A Mom, an authority on the topic of self-insemination. If you’re interested in further reading, you can find our terms and conditions at this link.
In summary, while the journey of motherhood can lead to unexpected surprises, including the peculiar challenge of managing a frozen placenta, it also offers invaluable lessons about attachment, choices, and the lengths we go to for our children.