I guess I could have had herbal tea.

I consumed my placenta (or was it Hugo's?). I didn't chop it up and turn it into a stir-fry or a pizza (which can be done by the way). No, instead, I had it encapsulated (which means turned into capsules) which is a lot less gross and also lasts much longer. In fact, almost 15 weeks after giving birth to it, I have just finished having it.

I knew that January Jones and Holly Madison (one of Hugh Hefner's girlfriends if you didn't know) had both had it done but hadn't given it much thought. However, sometime in the last week before my due date, I had discussed it with Chris, telling him what January Jones' experience had been like. At that point, I hadn't really thought about actually getting it done but the next day, by pure telepathic coincidence, my mum also mentioned it. I'm not sure why she did but she did and I was incepted Leonardo DiCaprio style.

I started looking into the process and the reasons people do it. Apparently, the placenta is full of good stuff: it is supposed to help with energy levels, iron levels, hormonal balance, milk production and blood loss amongst other things which all work together to keep the ghost of PND at bay. In fact, it is so good that all other mammals consume the placenta. Biology knows where it's at.

I quickly found a woman who offers this niche service locally. Three days before giving birth I contacted her and made arrangements for her to come and pick it up from the hospital. We were simply to bring a small esky to the hospital, place the placenta into the esky on ice and make sure the it didn't leave the room. She would then come and pick it up within a few hours to take it home, cook and dehydrate it before grinding it and encapsulating it. I would have it back, ready to ingest, within a few days.

When we arrived at the hospital, I told the midwife about our plans to have the placenta picked up. Incredulous, she asked why in the world would we do such a thing. Hiding the fact that I was surprised she had never heard of this, I listed the various benefits to which she replied matter-of-factly, "Can't you just have some herbal tea?" I guess I hadn't thought of that...

The transaction went perfectly smoothly and a few days later, Kristy (the encapsulator) dropped the capsules off at our house, along with the dried up umbilical cord (which now looks a lot like beef jerky) and a placenta print (done by placing the organ onto a sheet of paper for a few seconds). Eventhough I had the pills, Hugo can have the cord one day!

I'll never know with any certainty whether taking these pills made any difference to my wellbeing but they certainly didn't do any harm and if anything, they acted as a great placebo. A bit like a nicotine patch, they made me feel a little protected and ready to fight the hormonal swings, the sleepless nights and sleepy days that followed the birth of our son. If anything, it will make a great story to tell Hugo one day. I'm smiling already imagining what his reaction might be!