Another perspective on placenta consumption…
Hot take: I never consumed any of my four babies’ placentas and have ZERO regrets about not doing so.
I do not judge you if you chose to consume yours in the past or are choosing to consume it in the future—that is YOUR choice.
But what I don’t see enough in the birthing community is a balanced approach to consuming placenta, most commonly seen in the form of placenta encapsulation.
Birth workers are all about teaching you how to use informed consent when it comes to your birth, but then many times, they are also telling you with great zeal to consume your placenta, without also encouraging you to research the potential benefits AND risks that could come with that.
I encourage my doula clients to research EVERYTHING, even if it has a stamp of approval from most “natural-minded” people. Just because some people might choose it for themselves, doesn’t mean it’s right for you.
Here are some things to consider when it comes to consuming your placenta:
It was not practiced in the West until the 1970’s.
Studies have shown there are no proven differences in postpartum depression, hormone levels, energy, and milk supply between those who consumed their placentas and those who took a placebo/didn’t take anything. Any of the potential benefits are anecdotal reports.
A study by anthropologists of 179 societies across the world found almost no evidence of mothers regularly consuming their own placenta.
A 2017 study showed that when comparing women who took encapsulated placenta versus encapsulated beef, there was no difference in iron levels (both groups had their iron levels improve on the same level after a few weeks postpartum).
Placentas can contain toxins like mercury, lead, arsenic, and bacterias.
Some women actually report that they have an increase in anxiety after consuming their encapsulated placenta. Some women also experience a decrease in milk supply.
When it comes to consuming your placenta, there are unfortunately no facts to help make a concrete decision; everything we have is anecdotal. My biggest piece of advice? Pray about it and seek discernment! Ultimately, the decision is up to you and should be made with informed consent and confidence in how God is leading you.
