By: Bernice Maune
In the past decade, eating the placenta has gained popularity with many mothers advocating for this practise and claiming that it boosts milk supply, reduces the onset of postpartum depression and replenishes vital nutrients.
Yet there are no studies which have verified these claims and the practise of placenta eating remains a choice which some mothers make willingly and without any medical studies supporting the purported benefits.
Interestingly, humans and sea animals are the only mammals who do not eat the placenta right after birth. All other animals do. But what is placenta eating and why is it becoming a widespread practise? We have rounded up five facts you must know about this phenomena,
What the placenta is and what it provides
The placenta is an organ that develops during pregnancy to create an environment for your baby which can sustain it by providing oxygen, water and nutrients to the growing foetus. It is also where the baby can excrete waste products which are then carried out to the mother’s waste system.
These are the nutrients contained in the placenta
The placenta is also loaded with iron and vitamins B6 and B12, as well as estrogen and progesterone, reproductive hormones that are abundant during pregnancy but drop after you give birth. It is believed that by eating the placenta a new mom can effectively regain these nutrients and eliminate the possibility of postpartum depression.
How to eat your placenta
It may sound like eating your placenta is possible right after giving birth but at that point it is still in its bloody and sack like form. To consume it, it is advised that you contact a company which will process it for you. In a process called placenta encapsulation, your placenta is dried, powdered and sealed into vitamin-sized capsules.
Other ways to have it prepared and eaten
There are options to have your placenta prepared differently from the capsule format. You can choose to have a mid-wife cook it for you either as a sauce, gravy in stews and add it to your normal meal routine. You can also have it freezed and consumed daily or crushed and dried and added to your meals.
Risk of infection
Because the placenta filters the growing baby’s waste products, it may be a source of toxins and bacteria which can cause infections. Consequently it is not advised to consume it because of the risk it may pose to you and your child.
However, if you are considering eating your placenta, consult a medical professional who can further advise you on which process is best to follow and how it should be administered.
Watch this video on placenta eating and the phenomena around it
