What Is Placentophagy? – Being Parents
This action is called placentophagy. The placenta can be ingested in several ways, the most common being encapsulated, pressed, or cooked. Although in some cultures the placenta is important, not all mothers eat it.
The placenta is an organ that develops during pregnancy. It forms between mother and baby and acts as a protection for the child in the womb.
A large amount of vitamins and minerals build up in the placenta throughout pregnancy. Plus, it contains a hormone called placental lactogen, which helps stimulate breast milk production.
It has been observed that all animals eat their placenta after childbirth because it contains important nutrients. This is very normal in almost all types of mammals that have just given birth. This is done to remove the blood and prevent their young from being in danger, as the smell could attract predators.
The hormones it contains are used to compensate for the hormonal deficit of the mother after childbirth. It is believed that its intake may also be beneficial in men, as it reduces pain in the postpartum period and strengthens the bond between mother and baby.
How does placentophagy work?
According to some studies, placentophagy brings many benefits to women who give birth. The placenta is rich in estrogen, which helps reduce postpartum bleeding. This sensitizes the uterine muscle to contract with the effects of oxytocin. When the uterus contracts, it prevents blood loss from where the placenta has come off.
Some experts suggest including the placenta in recipes so that you can consume them. Unfortunately, unlike meat, which is very muscular, the placenta is not. Thus, if it is cooked, any blessings the mother might receive may be destroyed. This happens because many proteins, hormones, and blood products are broken down by cooking.
Until now, the best known way to perform placentophagy is by encapsulating the placenta. This method removes the organ and puts it in a pill. This way, it is much easier for people to ingest this product without any problem.
In particular, it keeps you from feeling disgusted in any way when you eat it.
Why ingest the placenta?
It is not mandatory for any mother to ingest her own placenta. However, those who choose to do so will be able to reap a lot of benefits. At the same time, keep in mind that you don’t have a lot of opportunities to have this experience, which is why it is worth considering.
Another of the main reasons for having placentophagy is related to postpartum depression. It also allows for faster recovery after childbirth and faster healing of wounds produced during childbirth. It is a good pain reliever that helps reduce pain and benefits the relationship between mother and baby.
Women who practice placentophagy consider it to be something as natural as breastfeeding their babies. It is said that this practice respects the mechanisms of nature, although until recently it was still considered taboo.
Some risks of placentophagy
Most placentas have infections due to their large number of bacteria. In some cases, placentophagy has been refused due to the poor quality of the placenta. For example, when meconium, i.e. fetal feces, is present, this organ should not be ingested.
It is important that supporters of placentophagy contribute to studies that can demonstrate the benefits of the placenta when ingested. At the same time, it is necessary to certify that such ingestion will not entail risks for anyone who does.
In most cases, the refusal of this practice is due to the state of health of the placenta. This product is not always in optimal conditions to be consumed. Likewise, the treatment of the ingested placenta can sometimes reduce its properties.
