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A Literature Review on the Practice of Placentophagia

2016; Elsevier BV; Volume: 20; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.nwh.2016.08.005

1751-486X

Rachel Joseph, Marissa Giovinazzo, Megan Brown,

Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Placentophagia (consuming the placenta) has historically not been a common practice among humans. Over the past few decades the practice has gained attention as more women, particularly educated, middle-class, White American women, choose to partake in this practice. Purported benefits of placentophagia include pain relief, increased breast milk production, and decreased risk of postpartum depression; however, there is a lack of evidence to support these claims. The placenta can be consumed raw, cooked, or encapsulated; it can be used for keepsakes; or it can be used to make topical applications such as dermatologic creams and hair-growth products. Placentophagia has typically been viewed as a personal choice, resulting in little rigorous scientific research on the topic. More research is necessary to determine if the purported health benefits of placentophagia are proven.