Chrisitans I have a placenta question

[sosurreal09]

I am a born again Christian and I am having my second child. I have heard amazing things about placenta encapsulation and it's effect on PPD (which runs in my family as well as other depressions). So it would seem beneficial for me.

I know we are not suppose to consume blood, so I am wondering if anyone could enlighten me on God's view of placenta consumption...(or the interpretation of..)

I mean I know there is blood in it, but I suppose because it's not fully blood...maybe it would be ok?

[lilyka]

   interesting question

[prescottchels]

Placentas are organs...meat...

Do you eat steak or liver or other similar things? To me there is no difference,   but that's just me, not necessarily a religious interpretation...

[mamabadger]

During my third pregnancy, I had a discussion with my midwives about the possibility of using placenta to treat heavy bleeding. I objected not because it contains blood, but because eating placenta would be eating human tissue, ie-technically cannibalism. They agreed to use other methods if it became necessary. However, I ended up in a lengthy discussion with one midwife, who was a Jehovah's Witness and did not accept blood transfusions, over whether placenta qualified as human flesh, and also over the blood issue. We took very different views on both questions.

Placenta does contain blood, and I'm not sure if you could consume placenta without ingesting blood. It seems clear to me that, if you object to consuming blood and/or human blood, placenta would not be acceptable. I think the only question would be whether it is justified in cases of medical need. 

[cameragirl]

If the placenta is steamed or cooked and "bled", there likely is not much more blood than there would be in a steak or organ meat.

[Nazsmum]

Don't understand...why can't you have the blood?

[sosurreal09]

It was my understanding that you are not to drink/consume blood of animals. Hadn't thought of the cannibalism thing...

[philomom]

Originally Posted by Nazsmum 

Don't understand...why can't you have the blood?

I know a lot of xtians who eat rare, bloody meat. But yeah, I can see the cannibalism thing. Or would self-cannibalism not count?

[sosurreal09]

The cows are bled before they are butchered though...

[Nazsmum]

OK, I understand that in Acts 15 in tell us to stay way from blood. But I don't think that has to do with "taking" the placenta. I think that has to do more with idols and worship.

Congrads!!!! on the coming baby.

[sosurreal09]

Thanks!

I did figure that was more for worship type of things. I prayed about it but haven't gotten a real definitive answer (which God is usually very blunt with me b/c I need him to be LOL).

The only thing that did come to was the thought that it would be more of a gift from God for us to birth a placenta in order to consume and give ourselves back our lost nutrients and what not...but I can't say with certainty that thought came from Him b/c it was more of my own reasoning type thought.

[cappuccinosmom]

Christians are to avoid meat that is dedicated to idol worship and avoid participating in eating that is associated with idol worship/any worship other than the One God Christians worship.

The "no blood" thing is an OT command, in the ceremonial/cleanliness category, and therefor for a Christian has been fulfilled through Christ's sacrifice.  Eating bloody meat is not in and of itself a sin, though some believe it is less healthy than eating kosher or halal meat.

Unless you're planning to involve some goddess worship along with ingesting the placenta, you'd be fine on the first front.  And as to the second, you are not under ceremonial law as a Christian, so it's your choice as to whether you believe this would be a healthy and good thing for your body or not.

[sosurreal09]

Sweet TY for the info. any thoughts on the cannibalism thing? LOL

I told DH I really want to do it he thinks I am a total nut job now LOL He was like "DO NOT TELL ANYONE!" (he thinks they will think I am a psycho)

Originally Posted by cappuccinosmom 

Christians are to avoid meat that is dedicated to idol worship and avoid participating in eating that is associated with idol worship/any worship other than the One God Christians worship.

The "no blood" thing is an OT command, in the ceremonial/cleanliness category, and therefor for a Christian has been fulfilled through Christ's sacrifice.  Eating bloody meat is not in and of itself a sin, though some believe it is less healthy than eating kosher or halal meat.

Unless you're planning to involve some goddess worship along with ingesting the placenta, you'd be fine on the first front.  And as to the second, you are not under ceremonial law as a Christian, so it's your choice as to whether you believe this would be a healthy and good thing for your body or not.

[katelove]

I am a Christian. I don't think eating your own placenta counts as cannibalism. It is your own tissue not someone else's. No-one (including you) is harmed by the removal of the placenta. You are not taking something from someone else without their permission.

[mamaecho]

I think you've gotten your answer.. it's very funny to me, it never really even crossed my mind as a Christian.. I just figure it was another one of God's gifts for healing ourselves ;)

[sosurreal09]

Thank you ladies. It's important to have input from you all! My Cristian friends/family would freak if I mentioned this (not very "crunchy" people...)

[mamabadger]

Originally Posted by katelove 

I am a Christian. I don't think eating your own placenta counts as cannibalism. It is your own tissue not someone else's. No-one (including you) is harmed by the removal of the placenta. You are not taking something from someone else without their permission.

First, the placenta is not a woman's own tissue, but the baby's/fetus's.

Second, from a Christian (as opposed to secular legal) perspective, harming another or taking without permission is not the point. We are not allowed to eat human flesh even if it is from a person who has died of natural causes, or an amputated limb which is no longer wanted. The point is that eating human flesh is forbidden, regardless of how it is obtained. 

Placenta might, arguably, be exempt from this law for one reason or another, but the reason would not have to do with permission or causing harm.

[sosurreal09]

That is a very good point....
 

Originally Posted by mamabadger 

First, the placenta is not a woman's own tissue, but the baby's/fetus's.

Second, from a Christian (as opposed to secular legal) perspective, harming another or taking without permission is not the point. We are not allowed to eat human flesh even if it is from a person who has died of natural causes, or an amputated limb which is no longer wanted. The point is that eating human flesh is forbidden, regardless of how it is obtained. 

Placenta might, arguably, be exempt from this law for one reason or another, but the reason would not have to do with permission or causing harm.

[katelove]

Originally Posted by mamabadger 

First, the placenta is not a woman's own tissue, but the baby's/fetus's.

Second, from a Christian (as opposed to secular legal) perspective, harming another or taking without permission is not the point. We are not allowed to eat human flesh even if it is from a person who has died of natural causes, or an amputated limb which is no longer wanted. The point is that eating human flesh is forbidden, regardless of how it is obtained. 

Placenta might, arguably, be exempt from this law for one reason or another, but the reason would not have to do with permission or causing harm.

Well, technically, the placenta is both. It arises from both foetal and maternal cells.

Regarding the consumption of human flesh, I thought the New Testament didn't mention it. I could certainly be wrong though. Could you point me in the direction of some verses, I'd like to read more.
 

[lilyka]

I don't know if it is specifically listed as a sin but I would not be comfortable with any other form of canibalism.  This is an organ that came out of my body.  It is mine or the baby's or both but no matter what, it is human organ meat.  Which makes it a no go for me.  I m pretty sure my church considers it a sin so regardless of what the Bible says I am comfortable in saying that this is not acceptable for me or my family.