"Traditionally, the whenua (placenta) and pito (umbilical cord) of newborn babies are buried in a significant place. The placenta is placed in a specially prepared receptacle and buried in a particular location. This practice reinforces the relationship between the newborn child and the land of their birth."
On our Summer road trip we made a special visit to our family land. It is where my dad grew up. It is now divided up between his brothers and sisters. My Dad has given my sisters, brothers and I a little over 2 acres. It sits on a secluded peninsula in the Far North.
My brother planted a Pohutukawa tree there and this is where we bury our babies placentas. I have had the Tom and George's ones in the freezer and was really happy to finally be able to make the trip North to bury them. So on a very hot day in December Mr H along with our family around us, we put our babies placenta's into the earth where my dad grew up and where we, along with our children (and one day our grandchildren) will have this special piece of land to enjoy. Bell's placenta was buried in the garden of the house where I grew up......almost thirteen years ago now.
When our babies are born the placenta's are wrapped, placed in a labelled brown paper bag and taken home. I have never thought of doing anything other than this with them. To me it is an important thing to do with something that nurtured and grew my babies.
Take a look at this website www.birthtoearth.com it details what other cultures around the world do with their babies placenta's.
Did you do anything with your babies placentas?
Such an incredibly beautiful ritual. What an amazing ceremony for your family to share in together x
ReplyDeleteMy wee neice who is five could'nt wait to do it. She was right in there helping, not squemish at all. Love that! x
DeleteI love this idea, never heard of it before. My placenta was put to good use donating cord blood for future children who may require it. Probably after that it was binned! We have planted a new tree in Betsy's yard to celebrate our coming to live with her and it should grow with our kids and be a memory of our family in this spot. mel x
ReplyDeleteThe cord process is amazing - love the idea of having a specially planted tree in the garden. x
Deletethats awesome, keeps you connected.
ReplyDeletePlacentas were all disposed of by the hospital, they were amazing though! all so different
I've heard of this, hope is grows and flourishes! :) x
ReplyDeleteI planted our newest addition's placenta in the garden under a tree that will grow as she grows :) In Hamilton they parcel them beautifully in a cardboard box, it looks like it has been gift wrapped!
ReplyDeleteI've seen dedicated websites selling placenta carrying kits! x
DeleteMy babies placentas along with my baby who was born at 16.5 weeks gestation are all buried together under a pohutakawa tree overlooking Auckland city. It is a VERY special place for me
ReplyDeleteThat's lovely Cat - nice to have a special place nearby like that to visit. x
DeleteHow interesting! I have to admit, I didn't even think about what happened to the placentas afterwards.
ReplyDelete