WHAT TO DO WITH THE PLACENTA THAT'S STILL SITTING IN THE FREEZER?

The following is a suggestion for a placenta burying ceremony. I wanted to acknowledge that the burying of the placenta can be a strong way of closing with the birth and the period of intense "immersion mothering" which follows it.

The suggested ritual could be done on its own, or in conjunction with a significant milestone (eg. naming ceremony, first food, birthday, return of menstruation, or as part of a process of weaning). I would encourage you to take your time and not do anything until it feels really right for you. (The placenta won't care if it's left in the freezer for another year or so!)

* Celebrating Childbirth * Catherine's Home Page *

NOTE: Feel free to modify this ceremonyto fit your needs. Remember that it is much more important to be true to your feelings, than to be word perfect with words somebody else wrote down. If this inspires you, go for it! If you'd like to talk more about it, please don't hesitate to drop me a line. I'd love to hear about other people's experiences with this or related rituals... blessings, Catherine.

Preparing for the Ceremony

The first step, even before planning where and when to do this ceremony, is to find a sympathetic listener, preferably a woman who has had a baby herself, and talk through the whole thing: ï the birth experience;

ï your experience of motherhood so far - what's been hard, what's been good;

ï where you are at now in your life;

ï what you want to get out of doing a placenta burying ritual.

This will help you to get clear about what you are needing, and to make sure you have the support you need to work toward a resolution of any lingering distress or trauma.

The Ceremony

Go to the place where you wish to bury the placenta, and prepare a hole. Take with you: the placenta, a candle & incence, a cup and some red juice, and some simple food (eg. bread).

Pour some red juice into a cup.

Light the candle & some incence.

Hold your baby/child and tell her the story of her birth. If you have any unresolved feelings about any of what happened, express these.

[ If the birth was in some way traumatic for you and baby:

ï Make sure you have at least one supportive woman friend with you, to support you as you go through this process

ï You may like to buy a smudge stick (form of Native American incence used for purification), and have your friend cleanse you and baby with its smoke after you have told the birth story. Hold your baby, and allow yourself to connect with all the feelings you experienced during and immediately after the birth. Visualise them dissolving into the cleansing smoke. Your friend can affirm aloud that she is cleansing you of all unwanted and hurtful experiences and feelings. If it feels appropriate to include the baby's father, have him hold you while you hold the baby.

ï You may like, in addition, to tell her the story of the birth you would have liked to have shared with her. Ask your friend to seal this, by blessing the pair of you with a sprinkling of rose water.]

Bury the placenta (and if desired, plant a tree). Make eye contact with your child, and say to her:
"When you were in my womb, you were nurtured and sustained from my blood through your placenta.

Now you are nurtured by the milk from my breasts. [or 'When you were little, you were...']

As you grow into independence, you will be nurtured and sustained by the Earth Mother. "

[If you are planting a tree as well, you can add the words.."as this little tree is nurtured and sustained by the Earth"]

Eat some of the food and drink a little of the juice. If appropriate offer a little to the child.

Name and celebrate the ways in which your experience of being this child's mother has enriched you and made you stronger.

Mix together a little of the juice and some of the soil from where the placenta is buried. Daub your child's belly button with this mixture*, saying:

"Robin [substitute your child's name], I will hold you always in my heart.

Yet motherhood is a continuing journey of surrender and letting go.

So I now release you to grow into the person you were born to be, setting aside all doubts, fears and expectations of my own.

I release you into the care and protection of the Earth Mother, may She be a source of lifelong nurturing and pleasure for you, and may you grow to love and care for her in turn.

I wish for you that you will never cease to grow in strength, love and wisdom your whole life long [or your own wish for your child's growth and wellbeing]. "

* NB. Don't do this with a newborn whose belly button is still healing!

Bless and thank your womb. Seal and reclaim it as a private inward space belonging to only you. Dip your fingers in the juice and trace a symbol of some kind (eg. a flower, a heart, a spiral) on your belly over your womb. Celebrate your creativity: name any creative projects you are currently dreaming about.

Close by declaring your willingness to conceive again, or your intention not to conceive again/at this time. [If the latter, be sure to use a reliable method of contraception!]

Pour any remaining juice onto the Earth. If you had bread, scatter some for the birds.

Extinguish the candle and incence.

* Celebrating Childbirth * Catherine's Home Page *