Placentophagy, the practice of eating the placenta after giving birth, is a subject of some interest among Wemmicks these days. After googling it, I only found one other “voice” out there raising the question of whether or not it is a morally viable option for those who claim to be Christ-honoring, Bible-believing Christians.
All other voices, unbelievers and believers alike, tout the benefits of eating the placenta; and while it is not surprising that unbelievers would feel that the benefits should be the only consideration, (they are being consistent with their worldview, after all) it is interesting that, in general, Christians are also seeing only the pragmatic side to this controversial practice.
This post is not designed to tell you what to do.
That decision is yours, and you alone are responsible for it. The purpose of this post is to let you know what worldview is informing your decision. The worldview promoted on the VW blog is a Christian worldview. Just because someone is a Christian does not necessarily mean they have a Christian worldview. In fact, most Christians don’t. For more information, see this related article.
We’re going to attempt to do three things here:
1. We’ll take a look at the four biggest arguments FOR placentophagy along with counter-arguments.
2. We’ll learn some history as well as the worldview that undergirds the practice.
3. We’ll find out what God’s Word says (and doesn’t say) about placentophagy.
Four Arguments for Eating the Placenta
1. The placenta is nutritious and beneficial to the health of the postpartum mother.
2. There are countless testimonies from women who claim it helped them avoid postpartum depression.
3. Most mammals eat the placenta after birth.
4. If it feels right to you, then it is right for you. Nobody should judge another person for what makes them feel good, and those who say differently are heartless and don’t care for postpartum women and their needs.
Four Counter Arguments for Eating the Placenta
1. Many human organs contain nutrients that would be beneficial if consumed. It doesn’t follow that we should consume human flesh. This is a slippery slope with moral consequences. It is the exact same pragmatic argument used by those who believe it is morally advisable to use fetal stem cells for the purpose of discovering medical solutions to serious diseases. In other words, if it is beneficial, then it is morally acceptable.
From a factual, scientific standpoint, the placenta is a human organ that belongs to the baby. When an egg is fertilized and makes its first division into two cells, one cell will develop into the baby and the other cell will develop into the placenta.
The definition of cannibalism is: the eating of human flesh by a human being. The placenta is human flesh, and as such, should not be consumed. Our Creator’s words on the issue of cannibalism: Jer. 19:9; Lev. 26:29; Micah 3:3. Our Creator’s words on the issue of consuming blood in Gen. 9:4, Lev. 17:11, Lev. 17:14, and Deut. 12:23.
The Bible references the issue of eating a placenta in one, and only one, place.
She will hide from them the afterbirth and the new baby she has borne, so that she herself can secretly eat them. She will have nothing else to eat during the siege and terrible distress that your enemy will inflict on all your towns.
Deuteronomy 28:57
This is not a recommendation from God to eat the placenta, followed by the child. It is, rather, a picture of what sinful humans will do in times of extreme distress and judgement. Nowhere will you find a reference that even alludes to a woman eating the placenta. It is never once mentioned as a general practice, as a recommendation from God, or even a provision from God as some Christians wishfully claim.
If it really is something that God designed not only for the preservation of the baby within the womb, for also for the health of the mother after giving birth, why is there absolutely no reference or recommendation in His Word? There is no Biblical precedent for placentophagy.
On the other hand, this practice is firmly rooted and widely practiced within pantheistic religions that deny the Creator God of the Bible and worship nature. If we desire to live consistent with a Christian worldview, this should give us reason to pause.
2. While many women have felt that eating the placenta has helped them avoid postpartum depression, it doesn’t follow that it is an ethical solution to that very real problem. That same argument is used by those who believe in a “woman’s right to choose” abortion. Abortion enables women to avoid not only postpartum depression, but the hardships, responsibilities, and challenges that come with raising a child or giving a child up for adoption.
Just because an action makes us “feel better” doesn’t make it morally right. There are many examples. Sex outside of marriage, drug abuse, and overeating come to mind. Postpartum depression is a complex issue that involves more than just our bodies. We are whole beings made in the image of our Creator, with not only a body, but also a spirit and soul.
God takes all of these things into consideration when He guides and instructs us through His valuable and wholesome precepts. To view postpartum depression as merely a physical issue is to miss a large component of the problem. Yes, of course it is physical, but it also involves our spirit and soul. Eating the placenta addresses the physical issue at the expense of the rest of who we are.
This concept is rooted in modernism which sees humans as merely bodies (machines) that can be fixed by applying the correct “fuel”. God made us so much more complex than that. And His ways of right and wrong are not arbitrary. They are intrinsic in how He created human nature. They are bound up in how we reflect His nature and Who He IS.
God, in His wisdom and goodness, has provided for our physical needs after birth. In fact, in our particular place and time in history, we have access to the widest variety of the best, whole super-foods and nutritional supplements known in the history of mankind.
We also have science and medicine on our side. There are many women who have found physical help by way of nutrition as well as hormonal therapy for postpartum depression. The ancient, eastern practice of eating the placenta is not the only solution available to women today.
But it could very well be the only unethical one.
3. Not all mammals eat their placentas as some claim. Many mammals also eat their young (hamsters, hyenas, polar bears, wolfs and hippos to name a few). Many mammals eat their feces.
Humans are not animals.
The argument that most mammals eat the placentas of their young, and therefore humans ought to eat the placentas of their young as well stems from an evolutionary worldview that sees humans as mere animals. This is not how our Creator sees us. We are a reflection of Him, created in His image. To compare humans to animals is to dishonor God, His character, and His Nature.
4. The idea behind the argument, “What’s good for you is good for you, and what’s good for me is good for me, and if you tell me differently, THEN you don’t like me, AND you’re not nice” is rooted in a humanist worldview. It is based on the idea that humans were not created with meaning by intelligent design for a purpose, but that we are simply here by accident. We live by instincts. It’s the survival of the fittest. We are no different from animals and plants.
Underlying this worldview is the belief that there is no God; therefore, there is no ultimate standard of right or wrong. If a society finds infanticide to be morally wrong for today, then it is. But if they change their mind down the road…then who is to say it is wrong at that point?
The current standard is decided by a fickle culture at large, but more specifically, by individuals who may find that certain behaviors or activities feel good enough or “right enough” to them, personally. And again, if there is no ultimate standard, who is to say they are wrong?
Certainly not the Bible. If there is no God—what’s the Bible? And who cares what it says? Believe it or not, this humanist argument shows up even in Christian circles whenever someone gets out their Bible and starts studying it in regard to any issue. There are a few Wemmicks who dare to speak out against issues such as this one, and they have been accused of being unloving—of not, for example, “caring about postpartum women suffering from depression.”
This could not be further from the truth.
The reality is—they risk having verbal stones hurled at them in anger. They speak out, not because they do not care. But because they do care. They risk their own reputations and their own comforts to love others by sharing truth from the Word of God, something that is not valued by most Wemmicks today.
But truth is what sets us free.
We don’t have to be tied down to Wemmick culture. God wants to set us free to discover His best plans and solutions for the healing of our whole selves—body, spirit and soul. We are not free to find His wisdom when we limit ourselves to Wemmick wisdom.
Whoever trust in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
Proverbs 28:26
I know of one woman who has given her life to helping others, and she wakes up many mornings to hate mail from fellow “Christians.” This phenomenon is not new to the world. The prophets were stoned, Christ was crucified, and the early Christians were martyred, not by the heathen, but by religious Wemmicks. Fascinating to consider.
If you want to live consistent with a Christian worldview, you will view the Word of God as your supreme plumb line. Not Oprah Winfrey. Not your peers. Not your favorite blogger. God’s Word. Be saturated in it. Be informed by it.
But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at My Word.
Isaiah 66:2
So Where Did Placentophagy Come From Anyway?
You can learn about some of the cultures that have revered the placenta in history HERE. Google it, and you’ll find more information than you’ll care to read. If you do peruse the article mentioned, you’ll read about the Ibo of Nigeria and Ghana who believe the placenta to be the child’s twin. You’ll discover that the Parigi of the Celebes Islands view the placenta as the older brother. Some believe the placenta should be buried in holy burial grounds, and that it will become ill if the child becomes ill. The Baganda of Uganda believe the placenta has its own spirit that resides in the umbilical cord.
And there’s more.
Placentophagy has largely been practiced in eastern societies throughout history. These societies are drenched in naturalist religions that are pantheistic, meaning that they believe we are one with nature, and all of nature is God. They worship nature.
As we see God eliminated from our western culture through the atheistic, evolutionary worldview indoctrination that is taking place in our government-run education system, we are seeing eastern worldviews infiltrating our culture at a rapid speed. It follows then, that we will see a rise in the practices that follow these worldviews.
If we are going to come away from this intact, as whole, healthy, God-glorifying, Christ-honoring, Scripture-saturated women, then we must exercise discernment and not be swayed by every “wind.”
…until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:13-16
So What’s The Bottom Line?
If you are a Christian, you are not forced to live consistent with a Christian worldview. In fact, most do not. But then have enough courage and integrity to be honest about that with yourself and others. If, on the other hand, you desire to live consistent with a Christian worldview, and you still want to eat your child’s placenta, then you’ll need to make a Biblical, Christian worldview case for doing so. At the very least, you will need the following to make your case:
1. Biblical precedence or principle for consuming raw, human flesh.
2. Historical evidence of the Church of Jesus Christ practicing and promoting this based on the above precedence.
If you are unable to do that, then you are left with your own autonomous choice, apart from God.
I will practice placentophagy because…
…I will.
You said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”
Isaiah 14:13-14
That’s one way to respond to our Creator.
Jesus modeled another way:
…not my will, but yours, be done.
Luke 22:42
{To further exercise your mind and heart in thinking like a true Christian, I highly recommend Nancy Pearcey’s book, Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity. It will rock your world.}
Thanks for sharing your perspective on this issue. While I have not considered eating either of my children’s placentas, I had certainly never considered the fact that the placenta is in fact human flesh and thus eating it is cannibalism.
I appreciate your call to examine every area of life Biblically.
Natalie,
This was an excellent, well-articulated post on a subject that many would never attempt to combat. I am very thankful to benefit from your study on this topic!
As women, I think in our effort to reject many of the traditionalist views of “healthcare,” we sometimes think anything “different” and counter-cultrual is therefore good or at least worth considering. You’ve done a fantastic job of showing us that placentophagy should be viewed (like everything) through a Biblical lens.
Natalie, Excellent post! As I discussed this with my husband last night, he stopped me mid-sentence and exclaimed, “That’s cannibalism!”
thank you for tackling this issue!
I’ve been praying for you!
My husband just did the same thing when I brought it up to him. Great article
Natalie, I appreciate your spiritual courage in addressing this issue. I just read an article last evening of an ultra-conservative Christian blogger finally giving in to this practice. It just broke my heart. So, it was especially exciting to find your post today. God bless and keep you. And, don’t even consider one thought concerning the naysayers. They will being saying nay until the Lord Himself returns to set things straight in the end. Then, we’ll all see things in perfect light.
Marcia, Jennifer, Mary Jo, and Bambi,
I’m grateful for your encouraging comments, your support, and your prayers. I’ve been praying for every woman who reads this. May God use it to make His Ways known and loved in the hearts of His people…and bring Him glory. He cares about women…and has our best interest in mind always. : )
This was the most thought out, Biblical post I’ve ever read on the subject. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I think that it’s so easy to fall into the trap of all things “natural”, and to turn this into a god. I know I have to remind myself to take a reality check once in a while. This was a wonderful reminder that I need to look through a Christian worldview.
Natalie,
THANK YOU. May God bless you for opening our hearts to this important message.
This is quite possibly the first time I’ve EVER heard a Christian perspective on placentophagy! I had quite seriously considered this as an option for our next birth, although I’ve never struggled with post-partum depression. My husband and I had discussed it as opposed to a lotus birth, where the cord is delayed clamping until all the blood & nutrients have drained back into the baby from the placenta. Once this is done, of course, the placenta is no longer viable for placentophagy. Now that I’ve come to a better understanding of this practice, we’ll definitely allow those nutrients to go to the baby, rather than to me.
Meg, I can’t tell you how relieved I am to know that God is using this information to strengthen His people in His beautiful ways! Thank you so much for sharing your change of heart/mind on this issue…not only with me, but with other readers. It is always such a lonely battle to swim against the tide of popular opinion, but when I hear testimonies like yours, the Holy Spirit blesses my heart with the encouragement that it will be worth the struggle in the long run. May He be praised!
Natalie, I was surprised to see this issue dealt with here on your blog. When my last 2 children were born I read about eating the placenta to combat excess blood loss and although it was something that concerned me I decided to NOT eat my placenta because I could not find Biblical reasoning to do it.
I am a Christian looking to have a Christian world view and it is an against the current path. Most Christians think you are just trying to pick fights and do not understand the real reason behind it: please our Lord and bring Heaven to Earth.
I wonder what are your views on most holidays like Christmas and Easter???
Blessings to you and that you will persevere on the path the Lord has laid out for you,
tereza
Thank you Tereza. I am aware of the pagan underpinnings of both Christmas and Easter, and my husband and I have decided to go with what our church, Bethlehem Baptist in the Twin Cities (John Piper’s church), promotes. Basically it means taking these holidays and making the focus CHRIST. We do not mix Christ with bunnies, baskets, Santa Claus, etc. In fact, recently I was reading The Grinch Who Stole Christmas to my little girls, and one of them looked up at me solemnly and remarked, “Mommy…Christmas is about Jesus. Where’s Jesus in this story?” Good point. From the mouths of babes….
I think my oldest was about 5 and we were checking out at TJ Max and the lady checking us out, probably a 50+++ y.o. lady asked my daughter “So what is Santa Claus bringing you for Christmas?” and my DD said “Nothing. There is no such thing as Santa Claus.” The woman said “Yes. there is.” My DD”No, there isn’t” and the woman went “Yes, there is.” Finally I had to tell my daughter to let it go. After that episode I trained my children not to argue and just say that “we don’t do Santa Claus”.
It’s hard though. Some will still find things to say like “oh, poor children. Santa Claus is so nice…”
I wonder how do you deal with the traditional Christmas decorations like Christmas tree and exchange of gifts. Although I homeschool, my children still feel tempted to do them and each year I earnestly pray asking God to give us different strategies to deal with it.
Thanks so much for encouraging us.
tereza
We do celebrate with a tree and gifts. Not a whole lot of other decorating. Candles. LOTS of Nativity scenes throughout the house. The focus is on Christ. I recommend a book by Noel Piper called Treasuring Christ in our Traditions. It has so many wonderful ideas for how we can build our traditions around Jesus. God will give you direction. Within the perimeters of honoring Christ and keeping Him central in all our celebrating, I think there is some room here for individual convictions, and He will give you wisdom for your special family!
I’ve read your blog for a while, but have never commented. I just wanted to take a moment to do that today to tell you ‘thank you’ for writing this.
I hadn’t heard of anyone doing something like this until maybe two years back and it gave me such a shock when I first heard that there are women who do this. I felt physically ill. Of course, being who I am, I had to see what people were saying about this. I found Christians who were talking about this, and everything I came across seemed to promote this. Or if not promote, they didn’t seem to discourage it.
Being that I had a fairly serious case of post-partum depression with my first, combined with all of these endorsements by Christians, I thought maybe my revulsion at the idea of eating ‘that’ was just due to my weak stomach for such things. I never did get over the quesiness enough to eat the placenta after my second baby four months ago and I’m SO glad! I’ve felt fine and if I had read this after having eaten the placenta, I think I would be gagging and vomiting for, I don’t know, the rest of my life? I’m not sure why, but the idea that this is cannibalism never entered my mind. Maybe it was all the rosy encouragements from Christians, maybe it was just a lack of critical thinking skills on my part. But I never thought about the fact that this is cannibalism. It seems so obvious now.
Anyway, sorry my comment is so long, but thanks again!
Thank you, Elisabeth, for taking the time to share your personal experience in trying to “figure this out” without a lot of direction. God was merciful in preserving you from participating in this practice unknowingly…and it is a blessing to realize you don’t have to spend the rest of your life “gagging” over any bad memories. : ) Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me and the other readers!
Grace to you!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful post on this. It is something I had heard about, and half-heartedly considered, but my husband shot it down. Recently I saw an article endorsing/promoting it on a Christian website/blog that I usually trust, but after reading your well-thought out points and looking into Scripture, I see that this is an issue that definitely does not fall under the “everything is permissible” umbrella.
I’ve only recently found the VW site, but I’m already so thankful for it. If it weren’t for my precious treasures needing so much of me during the day, and this pesky mortal body needing sleep at night, I could spend hours reading! 😉
So glad you found us Lauren! : )
I had never heard of this practice until I recently read a Christian woman’s blog describing why she decided to eat (in pill form) her placenta. I was quite taken aback. The nauseous feeling kept growing as I read one positive comment after another. You articulated the thoughts running disjointed through my head as I was reeling from shock. Thank you for your biblical response to a pagan practice that must be gaining acceptance among Christian women. Once again I am grateful to be out in the sticks of western MN where culture trends are slow to arrive.
Hey…I’m a MN native too! : )
It’s not exactly the same topic, but it is related to newborn babies, so here goes:
Have you noticed all of the Christian “natural” mommy bloggers talking about not circumcising their sons? How do you feel about this? It’s distressing to me, personally.
See my blog post on circumcision: http://visionarywomanhood.com/circumcise-circumcise-pendulum-post/
Wow…just…wow. Are we really discussing the Biblical mandates concerning circumcision? Still? Your article was actually the first I had read AGAINST consuming placenta that was well written and had other reasonable concerns besides the fact that it’s “gross.” Despite the fact that I think your logic at the end falls apart, and I don’t think you make a particularly compelling Biblical case for NOT doing it, it did give me some things to think about. However, circumcision…the Bible is pretty clear about that one, and I’m not sure why it’s even in the same conversation as the less-researched placenta encapsulation. As far as information on the internet, of course there is a plethora of erroneous information–that’s one of the problems with the internet: everyone has an opinion and thinks his is important whether it is correct or not. But there are many MANY reputable research sites that show the benefits of leaving intact (as well as benefits of circumcising). It is truly a personal and health decision. If one is going to keep that Old Testament law, you have to keep all the others (Sabbath’s day journey, buying/selling on Sunday, cleanliness laws). I don’t at all agree with the “smorgasbord approach” of picking only the laws we like to keep. Christ DID come to give us freedom from the law, but if you’re going to continue to live in bondage to the law, it has to be to ALL the law.
My husband and I endeavor to maintain a Christian worldview in every aspect of our lives, and stop and research before we make a knee-jerk decision. Personal seeking of God through His word is the only reliable way to live godly–the fact that the Christian church has done or not done something in the past does not make it right and is NO guideline for right living for thinking Christians. While I do appreciate the thoughtful post about placenta consumption, I won’t be visiting again. Perhaps you yourself are not legalistic, but the comments here smack of legalism and judgment.
Dear Lisa,
Your comment, “Are we really discussing the Biblical mandates concerning circumcision? Still?”
My response: While you may have made a well thought through decision regarding circumcision, there are others who have not; therefore discussions do continue to take place. Let’s try to be patient toward those who are on a different leg of the journey than we happen to be on at any given time, knowing that God is faithful to complete the good work He began in each one of us. We can help them along that road if the Lord enables us to have that opportunity!
Your comment, “Despite the fact that I think your logic at the end falls apart, and I don’t think you make a particularly compelling Biblical case for NOT doing it,”
My response: I’m unable to see where the logic is falling apart. Can you substantiate this assertion with examples of what you are referring to? What has been established here is a strong Biblical case for not consuming a child’s placenta. Rather than simply saying that you don’t find the case compelling, what would be more helpful to anyone reading this is for you to take the steps to make a compelling Biblical case FOR doing it.
Your comment, “I don’t at all agree with the “smorgasbord approach” of picking only the laws we like to keep. Christ DID come to give us freedom from the law, but if you’re going to continue to live in bondage to the law, it has to be to ALL the law.”
My response: I don’t know anyone, personally, who does adhere to a “smorgasbord approach”, although I’m sure they exist. I’m not sure how this comment relates to the issue of this post.
Your comment, “My husband and I endeavor to maintain a Christian worldview in every aspect of our lives, and stop and research before we make a knee-jerk decision.”
My response: That is a work of the Grace of God in your lives, and I praise Him for it; however, recognize that others are not as far along in their Christian faith/walk. This blog is designed to help and encourage those who need and desire it.
Your comment: “Personal seeking of God through His word is the only reliable way to live godly–the fact that the Christian church has done or not done something in the past does not make it right and is NO guideline for right living for thinking Christians.”
My response: Absolutely; nevertheless, we do not flippantly throw out the wisdom, teaching, experience, and grace that God bestowed upon those who have gone before us…many of whom studied and obeyed God’s Word far more passionately than modern Christians do today. We can learn, by God’s grace, from the early church and our godly forebears in an attitude of humility. On the other hand, there is no rationale behind seeking out the wisdom of the ancient eastern religions that are rooted in pagan worship practices. I find it fascinating that many Christians encourage the rejection of what the history of the Church of Jesus Christ can teach us, while being just fine with accepting pagan history and practice.
Your comment: “I won’t be visiting again. Perhaps you yourself are not legalistic, but the comments here smack of legalism and judgment.”
My response: Then I’m sorry you will be unable to read my response. Perhaps it will be a benefit for other readers. If I could encourage you in one area, it would be this: to leave comments if you feel so led, but to do it “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love…” (Ephesians 4:2)
May God grant you grace and joy as you seek to honor and glorify Him in all that you do!
I learn a lot reading your responses to these kinds of comments. (: So thank you!
Thank you so much for the time, research, sweet love, and prayer invested into this article. You have addressed a difficult subject with grace and integrity, and through this issue help women see the bigger picture of what it means to surrender to God’s will — with a biblical worldview, that’s not always easy or comfortable — in every area of our lives. I’d love to get to know you more. Blessings to you and your ministry to women.
Thank you Ann…and thanks for hopping over to visit. I’ve seen your posts here and there on the web as well…and the feeling is mutual. Would love to get to know you. Eternity will be tremendously wonderful for so many reasons! : )
Well done, Natalie.
The verse about God’s people eating placenta while under his judgement is chilling.
This reminds me of the topic of cremation — widely practiced in paganism and now becoming more acceptable in the west. I would love to see a post on that sometime.
Go girl!
Now that IS a great topic idea! Want to write on it? : ) (I’m serious!!!)
I read a good article a few years ago about cremation vs. burial in a Christ for the Nations magazine. Here’s the link. http://www.cfn.org/magazine/pdf/oct08.pdf
Can’t wait to read this. Thanks for posting it…I think I’ll draw attention to it in a future post on this topic…I’m sure most readers won’t find it hidden in this comment thread. I know so many Christians who just cremate now without even the remotest thought that it may not be advisable from a Biblical standpoint. Sheep following sheep…and not often going in a healthy direction. So desperate for shepherds to lovingly (and boldly!) lead with truth…addressing these kinds of issues from the pulpit. May God raise up godly men in the next generation to do just that.
Oh boy. It sure is a good thing you did this now! I was planning on doing this with the next baby!!! I was going to put some more research into it from a Biblical standpoint, but it doesn’t sound like much has been written against it from a Christian perspective. In fact, it was a Christian friend who referred me to the lady that just did it for her after her seventh baby was born. Isn’t it nice when God makes things easy and throws the information in your lap? Thank you for writing on this.
A couple notes about comments above….I would love to see posts (as we come closer to Christmas) about honoring Christ in Christmas when you have only unbelievers in your extended family. That has been a source of much prayer and frustration for us.
Also, thank you for the circumcision discussion. What it came down to for me were the health benefits that seemed stacked on the side of circumcision, vs leaving intact. Also, if God mandated it in the OT, there is nothing wrong with it, and He obviously did so for a reason. While we are not under the OT laws (and you were not saying we are) there are principles to be found there about the character of God. I think we would do well to study the whole of the Word and if we base our lives more heavily on the OT than on the ways of the world (which are increasingly becoming the ways of the church) then we are going to be far better off.
Great points Jess. And I had no idea you were on the verge of becoming a cannibal! LOL! : ) I’d still love ya no matter what sister…but I’m glad God spared you that. See…I almost didn’t send a link to our group…now I’m glad God nudged me that way last night. : ) I’ll throw out your thoughts to the contributors and see if anyone wants to take on some of your post ideas. They are great ones!
Randy Alcorn has a very good article on the cremation/burial topic that
changed our point of view! http://www.epm.org/resources/2010/Feb/15/what-your-view-cremation-vs-burial-do-you-believe-/
Thanks for adding that link Tami! I look forward to reading it!
Oh, I appreciate Randy Alcorn, and his wisdom, once again! This article is outstanding and very biblically substantiated. Thanks for the link.
Hi Natalie, excellent post.
I do have a question though, isn’t the placenta used to give the baby nutrition while in utero? Would this also be cannibalism? I am just a little confused because I was considering encapsulating my placenta when I have a 3rd child. I had serious health issues with the first two, and I am just now recuperating. DH and I are trying to conceive, so I am just looking for natural remedies for post partum recovery.
Well, there are parts of your body that are used to bring nutrition to you, too. But if I eat you, that’s cannibalism. Wishing you God’s blessing as you seek to conceive!
A couple things to consider with your response is that placentophagy is not asking you to consume any part of another human. It is in fact consuming an organ, most of the time that is not raw at the time of consumption, that was created for the safety and nourishment of the infant while in utero. Once the child is born the placenta, a still healthy organ, is expelled from the body. One argument is that this organ is still valuable to the mother and baby when encapsulated and consumed. I have been and am still doing a lot of research on the Biblical aspects of this but I do think you need to be careful with responses like the one you just gave when they are not in any way associated with the conversation.
First of all the scripture in which you reference in Deuteronomy says she will hide the unborn child and her after birth and keep them she’s eating both that is not the same of course is talking about the sinful nature in that time no mother would eat their child unless they were wicked.furthermore the afterbirth a discarded by the body it is not the same as eating your liver or your eyeballs or whatever else that stays attached to your body it’s no longer in your body, you’re not taking something that is being currently used to stay in your life you are taking something that has been discarded as trash and using it
So let me see if I’m following the logic here. If the body part isn’t needed, it’s not cannibalism. You can partake. BUT, if the body part IS needed, then it’s off limits. You can’t eat it. It’s cannibalism.
In other words, if you like eating flesh, but you don’t want to be a cannibal, only eat people after they are dead and no longer need their body parts.
Yes, that is the logic. Well said
From dust we were made and to dust we shall return. Though I do not believe there is one human on earth who “likes eating human flesh” or who would actually desire in their heart to eat a dead human body even if that was their only choice for survival, I don’t believe the act in itself of eating human flesh that is already dead would upset God, but rather the fact that one of his children should be in a situation to have to make that choice would deeply grieve our Father. Yet if somebody purposefully killed a human life in order to benefit from it nutritionally or otherwise, that is a totally heart stature toward God. Additionally, placentophagy is actually eating an organ detached from your own body which is then detached from the babies body within minutes of being born….so the ‘slippery slope’ just doesn’t work with this. There is no logical reason that eating our own placenta (which is usually done through drying, grinding, and encapsulating in pills) would lead to us desiring to eat ourselves or to kill and eat our babies! Really? Who thinks that? Its not like mamas are salivating over their placenta! They are simply making what they understand to be a wise and healthy decision for themselves and their newborn baby to make use of a valuable organ instead of throwing it in the hazardous waste bin.
Our bodies were created from the earth and our spirit was breathed into us by the creator God in His image. God, in his creation, gave us everything we need for life and health on earth. Yet we will die because we chose death and separation from our loving Father instead of obedience and trust in his love & provision, but God is always pursuing us and advocating for our life, even to his own death in our stead so that we should live with him forever! When we die, our physical ‘natural’ bodies will not be preserved, but we will be given new ‘spiritual’ bodies. Bodies to live in the new heavens and new earth. The points you make against placentophagy are all related to the death and destruction of human life. Placentophagy, however, promotes life and health! Placentophagy does not promote death nor destruction nor the consumption of raw blood, which all oppose God’s will for us to live and have abundant healthy life until we die, our natural bodies returning to the earth and our spiritual bodies being raised up to new life with Christ. Quite the contrary, placentas are one of the most amazing life-giving organs that God has given humanity!
Why would our father not want us to utilize such an amazing part of his creation after the baby has fully benefited from it to promote mother’s emotional well-being and physical health as she cares for a new life? I’m also wondering why we would rather be prescribed synthesized hormone therapy when God has given us natural hormone therapy perfectly fit for our body system and needs in our own placenta? And though we may have access to such medicinal advances, most the human population on this earth does not. I wonder what your views are on organ donation (even placenta donation) and donating your body to scientific research after death? Also how do you feel about people giving their hair to be made into wigs for cancer patients or other people without hair? Your arguments in the above article would affect such actions as well.
Though I trust you speak in good faith and intention, I respectfully disagree that placentophagy is opposed to a christian worldview (What does ‘christian worldview even mean?’, I have never heard that phrase used in scripture. Rather we are called to live by the Spirit). Jesus indeed came to set us free from the law so that we would find restored relationship with him and also relationship with one another in love! All this so we would not need to prove ourselves or earn righteousness by way of sacrifices, circumcision, what we eat or drink or don’t eat or drink, what holidays we celebrate or don’t celebrate, or any other action that we could judge as righteous or unrighteous. Jesus taught us to love the Lord with all our heart and love others as we love ourselves, and therefore fulfill the whole law. All this said, placentophagy is a way to love your baby, yourself, and your husband through the promotion of postpartum health!! So, please lighten up, Jesus is for life and health and using our brains and hearts and what he has provided for us in his creation to care for our bodies and relationships
There is no need to make dots and stars over placentophagy (which I know you are against making dots and stars, but unfortunately you seem to have unknowingly done exactly that with this post…please consider sister <3 ). [Genesis 2:7; Genesis 3:19&23; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58; John 10:1-21; Galatians 5; Romans 13:8-10; Colossians 2:16-23; Romans 14]
oops typo ** ‘that is a totally different heart stature toward God’**
Well said Jasmine. Most Christians won’t bat an eye at taking a synthetic drug at the sign of illness, but when something is natural (also big topic, essential oils!) it is usually categorized as paganism.
“Most” Christians? I run in Christian circles, and I don’t know a single one who thinks using natural products is pagan. My whole business is based around the concept of “natural” – and the vast majority of my current customer base is Christian. That said, I know when my children have an illness that requires hospitalization for them to survive, I don’t reach for my lavender.
There is a big difference between treating someone with plant based products and ingesting raw flesh. There are no prohibitions in God’s Word for using the things He created for our health; to the contrary, there are myriads of passages that talk about plants given to us for food and medicine. Essential oils fall under that category. On the other hand, the Bible doesn’t address eating human flesh other than to say it was done under extreme duress as a consequence of sin (see above). Not for the improved health of human beings.
As a believer in alternative medicine, I believe that if placentaphagy is beneficial to some women, then they should not be deprived partaking in the practice. Like stem cell research, if no life is forfeited and it hurts no one, then there is nothing wrong with it.
Who is depriving anyone? It’s a free country. This blog post is merely informing people about the worldview behind the practice.
I am 25 weeks pregnant and stumbled upon this post. I am amazed that this would be a trend, I had never even considered it (still don’t). I am greatful for your insight, it gave me a lot to think about so I can Biblically articulate my reason for not doing it if asked (other than a shocked “no, gross”).
Thank you for sharing this! My husband and I have thought for awhile that there seemed to be something very unbiblical about eating your placenta as it is essentially cannibalism, but so many followers of Christ we know have done it! We saved our most recent baby’s placenta and buried it in the yard & planted a bush over it. Seemed respectful of such an important part of his growth and nourishing for the ground.
My husband and I are expecting our first. I’ve spoken many times of my desire to encapsulate my placenta and my husband always responded with “ewww, that’s cannibalism!” I wanted to find counter-points and stumbled across this article. My husband and I are both Christians who do maintain a Christian worldview, so this article was especially interesting for me. However, I do have a few objections. Every verse you provided for consuming blood and cannibalism was from the Old Testament. While the OT is certainly not irrelevant, it has been fulfilled by Jesus, and as believers we are no longer required to follow ceremonial laws. The people of the OT could not consume blood because it was owed to God as an offering, which is no longer the case. As far as the verses about cannibalism, many of the verses appear to be passages where God is handing out cannibalism as a gruesome punishment to His enemies. To me, there is a distinction between “eating the flesh of your sons and daughters” and consuming my placenta, which will bring physical harm to no one. I understand it’s a fine line, but it’s definitely there.
Your post makes me ashamed to call myself Christian. You are immediately judgemental, narrow minded, and unappriative of the miracles created by nature. God is nature and created the womb. Why did He create every other mammal to consume their own placenta? Open your mind. Every action a human should take is not detailed in the bible. That would be millions of pages long and is a ridiculous notion. Cannabalism is the consumption of the flesh of a dead human who has been killed. God made the placenta and it is shed outside the body for a reason.
Hope, outside forces can’t make us ashamed to call ourselves Christians. If we are ashamed, we need to look inside ourselves. My article is not designed to tell anyone what to do. It’s merely informative. I believe in freedom for all to choose their own path based on what God is showing them in His Word. If you want to eat your baby’s placenta, I will still regard you with respect.
In your comment you attacked me with accusations of being narrow minded, judgmental, unappreciative, and guilty of propagating a “ridiculous notion.” You don’t even know me. If I were to sit down and have coffee with you, would you speak so dishonorably? Is this how you treat other human beings? I don’t know. I only know how you’ve treated me. I’m a 48 year old woman who loves Jesus with all my heart – and who has many troubles in this life. Your comment – and comments like it – are like daggers in my heart. I have tried to help by providing information so others can make an informed choice, and for that I am attacked. Why? I wish I knew why people like you do this to others. I wish I knew what motivates you in your heart to lash out in anger.
We can’t all see eye to eye on everything. I’m OK with that. Are you?
My midwife has encouraged me to check out placenta encapsulation with this (my 5th full term) pregnancy. My husband and I have talked about it a little and kind of pushed the idea away, but my mind has come back to it. With the birth of all my other children, I have gone through hormonal fluxes that created great distress right after giving birth, but most of my current concern was bleeding. After the birth of my fourth baby there was difficulty stopping my bleeding. It wasn’t bad, just a bit concerning. This will be my third home birth, and I have done some research about the topic of eating placenta, but with it seeming very “progressive” in nature and with the movement of the culture, I wondered what God had to say about it. I must admit I should have searched Him directly, but instead I searched for a Christian perspective of placenta encapsulation and found your blog. We will now have a different direction in our conversation and I thank you for that! We may even bring it up in small group for some other Christian perspectives and theological discussion. Anyway, just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your opinion on the matter and your views. I will be searching the Lord’s heart in the matter. May He direct our path, for I am willing to follow!
Julie, I’m glad it was helpful. I hope you’ll be able to benefit from some alternatives. Herbs are helpful – and there is no shame in taking advantage of modern medicine! I’ve had to eat crow in the past when it comes to this, and I’ve found huge blessing in allowing modern technology and medicine to benefit both myself and my family at different times. Blessings on your upcoming birth!
I was able to have a talk with our midwife this week and looks like we have plenty of medical options for the bleeding even while having a home birth!! She is considering giving me pitocin shots to help stop the bleeding. So no more searching for placenta info for us
I sure have appreciated your article! Thanks also for your reply. Julie
Yay!! I’m so glad you were able to find some other options while still being able to birth at home! Let me know how it goes!!
Our little one was born in early September and with the help of pitocin and cytotec (I think) there was no problem with bleeding. As far as mood stabilizer, I took 2 each of amino acid: 5-HTP and L-Theanine for weeks before and after birth and they helped tremendously! No eating of placenta necessary 😉 Home birth was great, but baby had to take an emergency trip to the hospital b/c of an unexpected cleft lip and palate – but that’s another story!
Thank you for the happy update, Julie! Congratulations! Enjoy that sweet baby!
I just came across your blog and I am happy I did. I recently discovered this unusual… I’m not sure what to refer to it as. Anyway, it gave me such a shock. My husband and I found out a week ago that we are expecting our first little one and all my baby research led me to this topic. I was so sickened by this and as I was researching I stumbled upon your post. Thank you so much for speaking about this, I know it is quite dated but I needed to know that there are still women out there who base their entire life on God’s provisions. I will be following your inspirational blog from now on. Thank you!
Congratulations on the life growing inside you! I pray all goes well for you. How exciting!!
Hi!! Like many others, I also want to thank you SO much for posting so much wisdom on this topic!! I found this prior to the birth of our daughter. I had a Christian doula, and she was encouraging me to consider placentophagy. My husband thought it was weird and gross, but I was intrigued. I guess there’s a lot of Wemmick in me.
I actually got online to look for biblical references that supported the practice… And I found your blog. Gee whiz…. I was so stunned & humbled to realize I was completely willing to engage in this disgusting behavior. Thank you so much for shining a light on the truth about what this involves & what God says about it. I will always be grateful I told them to take that placenta away!!! (My husband still insists our doula was licking her lips wistfully as it was rolled out the door – haha)