This past fall I had to honor of being invited to a placenta burial ceremony by dear client and friend Grace Obe (@afromountains). Grace, her youngest Baer, Grace’s home birth midwife Gloria (Bearth Midwifery), and myself hiked to a very special spot to hold space to celebrate returning this life-giving organ to the earth.

Grace’s words to her placenta:

My Dear Placenta,

How miraculous of my body to create an organ that facilitates growth for my child? How beautiful is your existence? It’s no mistake that as you were created, you must also be birthed and shown proper respect. Today, I honor your work. I honor your sacrifice. I honor your purpose.  

Thank you for growing as my womb grew and my son grew and my belly stretched for you.  

Thank you for pulsing with breath and blood for my spirit baby as he made his way earthside.  

Thank you for knowing when your time had come, and for passing through my womb intact.  

Thank you for your work in the dark spaces of my body and the silent mysteries of my soul. 

I love you. I love my son. I love and bear witness for all that you’ve done. I release you back to Earth, to the Mother who kept me grounded, rooted, in truth and in power.  

Creator, ancestors and angels, Mother Earth,  

We close this fourth trimester in beauty and in light, forever changed, forever grateful. 

And so it is.