Eating the placenta after giving birth is an unexpected trend that has surfaced among mothers in recent years.
Experts have now cautioned against ingesting popular placenta tablets, stating that while the spongey organ filters blood and protects the developing foetus, it may contain bacteria, viruses, and even heavy metals.
Consuming the organ, whether in the form of freeze-dried capsules, cooked and roasted, or combined raw into a smoothie, is said to help women regain their iron levels after giving birth, according to wellness circles. Additionally, it is thought to help reduce postpartum depression symptoms.
There is, however, no medical proof to back up these claims, and a number of doctors have criticised the practice, stating that it may be, at best, useless or in worst case scenarios can cause harmful infections that might harm the mother.
Pregnancy and sexual health specialist Dr Philippa Kaye stated: “Not only is there no evidence for the efficacy of consuming your placenta in terms of preventing postnatal depression, boosting energy, decreasing bleeding and more, eating your placenta may actually be harmful.
“The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has warned against taking placenta capsules as the preparations may not destroy potentially harmful bacteria and viruses in the placenta, such as Group B strep and cause infections in you or your newborn.”
Following the diagnosis of a strep infection in a baby whose mother had taken placenta pills, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention warned against the practice in 2017. The mother who used placental pills passed on Strep B to her baby through breast milk.
According to a 2018 study, women who received placental pills or placebo capsules did not significantly alter their mood, energy levels, or emotional attachment to their newborn.
A separate study assessed the quantity of hormones in the placenta that might have physiological effects if consumed. It is unknown, therefore, if the hormones are still biologically present after the placenta has been treated, dried down, and put into a tablet.
Researchers from the University of Nevada also discovered that eating the placenta after delivery does not help new mothers, demonstrating that taking placenta pills is insufficiently iron-rich.
Dr Sharon Young, lead author of the study said: “While the study doesn't provide firm support for or against the claims about the benefits of placentophagy, it does shed light on this much debated topic.
“What we have uncovered are interesting areas for future exploration, such as small impacts on hormone levels for women taking placenta capsules, and small improvements in mood and fatigue in the placenta group.”
A number of celebrities have opened up about eating their placenta including Kim Kardashian, Vick Hope, Millie Mackintosh and Coleen Rooney.
The placenta forms during pregnancy and acts as the baby's lifeline while in the uterus. If the midwife is informed of the mother's preferences prior to delivery, the mother is typically allowed to take the placenta home in the UK.
The placenta and umbilical cord are routinely kept by the hospital for 48 hours after delivery so that they can be sent for testing if the baby gets sick, at which point they are unsafe to consume.
To lower the risk of cross-contamination, instructions are provided on how to safely store the placenta in a freezer at home. However, placenta encapsulation, which costs about £250, entails crushing the placenta down either fresh or after it has been dehydrated.
