Consuming your placenta (placentophagy) after giving birth has become one of the most talked-about trends to sweep the pregnancy and baby world.
It's no doubt celebs like January Jones and Kim Kardashian have helped spike interest in this afterbirth trend with advocates claiming it helps fight postpartum depression, aids depleted energy levels after giving birth, and even boosts milk production. In some cultures, of course, they've been doing this for centuries to renew bodies and minds after childbirth, in fact, we are one of the only mammals NOT to do this after we give birth.
While you're pregnant, the placenta helps provide nourishment and oxygen to bubs, as well as filtering out any of the nasties, but after it's done doing its job when the baby is born, this blob is super-rich in nutrients and hormones, so it makes sense it could help to put back what is lost.
These days, women, with the help of placenta experts are actively consuming placenta smoothies, even cooking it up in lasagne!
So, is just a fad or is it medically beneficial? We chatted to Placenta Encapsulator Danielle Lynam from
Mums Miracle to find out:
"The most common method of consumption is for it to be dehydrated
and set in capsule form for new mums to take daily, however, smoothies are highly beneficial as raw placenta is packed with Stem Cells and Growth Factors, which will essentially slow bleeding down and help the healing process begin. The smoothie needs to be prepared within 24hrs after birth, using organic fruits and berries. Mums we have dealt with claim they feel an instant boost after consuming one of the smoothies.
One of the greatest feelings I get from encapsulating a mums placenta is that every mum has reported wonderful benefits. To me it makes sense that we would consume our placenta as each placenta's hormonal and mineral make-up is completely unique to that mum and cannot compare with any supplement or pill!"
Consuming your placenta helps with:
Placenta remedies encourage a quick and rich milk supply if you're breastfeeding. Some mothers report milk comes in as early as day 2 after giving birth.
Reduced bleeding
It provides the body with an immediate boost of nutrients and hormones to begin the healing process after you have given birth.
Energy
Haemoglobin is present in the placenta; it's an oxygen carrying molecule which provides a boost in energy after labour.
Postnatal depression
Women can experience instant hormone rebalancing from placenta remedies, it can prevent baby blues and Postnatal depression.
Iron
The placenta is rich in iron levels which decrease tiredness and depression. A new mother will lose between 1/8 – 1/10 of her body’s blood supply from a normal delivery.
Healing
The stem cells and growth factors contained in your placenta can help with the healing process of the wound left inside your uterus, where the placenta has been attached for nine months.
Reduced stress levels
Placenta contains the Corticotropin-releasing hormone which helps reducing stress levels, beneficial in helping people cope with a busy day after little sleep.
Skin, hair, and nails
Placenta remedies give the body an immediate supply of essential vitamins and nutrients, helping improve the appearance of skin and nails and helping with hair loss after birth too.
Does this sound like something you would like to do? Once your baby is born and the midwife has checked and packed your placenta, it's popped into a cooler bag to begin chilling, and collection or delivery is arranged with
Mum's Miracle
Let us know if you have done this or would like to; we would love to hear your story: editorial@HerFamily.ie
