Aloha, Such a timely discussion for me as I have about 7 weeks left before the arrival of baby! Some more on the cultural front. I think ancient Hawaiians buried the placenta by a tree (I have to check my files to see if it was a certain type of tree) to ensure good eyesight for the baby. I have been contemplating this for this baby. As to the cord stump, another practice is to burn it after it falls off. I cannot remember the signifigance of the burning, but I know my friend panicked when she thought she lost her baby's cord stump. We have burned all of the stumps from our babies. One time we were at my mil's home when we did this. The smell brought her to our room. Not knowing what we were doing, she thought the smell was that of some, how shall I say, illegal drug. How's that for a smell! :D Enjoying the information this thread has generated. Aloha, Gloria Thai Honolulu, O'ahu, Hawai'i located 20 degrees North of the Equator