Placentology or the eating of the placenta is something a few women do. The placenta is loaded with iron, vitamins B6 and B12, estrogen and progesterone, both important postpartum hormones. Various sources claim that eating the placenta can protect against postpartum depression. Women typically eat it right after birth since it’s supposed to give them an energy boost and encourage breast milk production.
If you’re pregnant and want to take home your placenta, make sure you talk to your doctor ahead of time and check the hospital’s birthing policies to see if you can. Once you have it, freeze it or cook it right away because like other forms of protein, it will spoil. There are midwives and other placentology experts online or on YouTube where you can find recipes. It’s important to note that mothers should eat their own placenta. There are companies that sell raw placentas for new mothers to eat and it can pose health concerns.
While there aren’t many scientific studies on whether or not the health benefits outweigh the risks, many women still take their chances because it is something they created. Would you try it?
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