As it turn out, humans are one of the only mammals on earth who don’t eat their placentas after giving birth. What is more, there is an abundance of mothers across the globe who claim that placentophagy helped to improve their postnatal health, and many advocates believe that these personal experiences defeat science. Lv 4. For mothers with a stronger stomach, eating the placenta raw — in a smoothie, for example — or cooking and preparing it for a meal may be preferable. Certain foods are scientifically shown to reduce high blood pressure, including berries, bananas…, Eating a varied, nutritious diet is beneficial for everyone, but is especially important for people with diabetes. Why do women eat their own placentas? What sane person would choose to eat her placenta?” Turns out, almost every other mammal does, herbivores and carnivores alike. The feedback from volunteers and … Copper toxicity can occur due to chronic or long-term exposure to high levels of copper through contaminated food and water sources. POEF has been shown to increase the effectiveness of opioids, allowing the mother to take less medication post-birth, which can be important after a cesarean birth. While this is common in many animals species, it is relatively rare among humans. With this vital pregnancy organ gaining traction as a “superfood,” more new mothers are considering the practice. Have you tried it? To this day, the reasons remain unclear. It is believed that the practice derives from ancient Chinese medicine, wherein the organ would be used to help treat medical conditions such as infertility and liver problems. Read about our approach to external linking. Dr. Farr and his review team also note that expectant mothers with an interest in placentophagy should be warned of the potential risks that the practice poses. A mother needs nutrients that she lost during delivery and what better than eating placenta which is a storehouse of it. In terms of post-natal depression, people think eating the placenta can help to level off your hormones which can be a bit all over the place after birth. This is also the reason why a lot of animals, including herbivores, eat … 41 years experience Obstetrics and Gynecology. So, what are the said health benefits of eating placenta? One nutrient is iron. It is a waste product from childbirth, so why would anyone choose to eat a raw human placenta? While many new mothers hail the health benefits of eating the afterbirth, critics say that the practice could be more harmful than helpful. But — as with the appendix and other organs that the body tends to deem unnecessary — once it comes out, maybe it should stay out. Why do some animals eat their placenta? "My husband was more exhausted than I was.". 5 years ago. 0 0. In this article, learn which foods…, Gas pain can be uncomfortable, or so severe that it can interrupt daily activities. - as part of the news and politics series by GeoBeats. How people do it. But the number of women choosing to eat their placenta has increased over the past decade. Dogs may therefore have a natural instinct to eat the placenta for these possible benefits. Some prefer it raw or cooked as part of a meal or in a smoothie, while others grind it … Preparation practices aside, there is really only one question that expectant mothers want answered: is eating placenta beneficial? "I was willing to try anything and my husband said that even if it had a placebo effect, it doesn't matter, it's not going to harm you.". "I thought 'if this is going to stop post-natal depression and give me some energy, then I can drink three-quarters of a pint of liquid. .css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link{color:inherit;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited{color:#696969;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link:hover,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited:hover,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link:focus,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited:focus{color:#B80000;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link::after,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited::after{content:'';position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;z-index:2;}Placenta smoothies firm in 'health risk' case, Pfizer vaccine safe for UK rollout next week. Lv 7. The report revealed that a mother who consumed placenta pills contracted group B Streptococcus (GBS), and that this was passed to her child. Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not a simple “yes” or “no.”. The most popular method of placenta consumption — highly favored by the aforementioned celebrities — is encapsulation, in which the placenta is dehydrated, ground, and put into a capsule. Yes - its natural. Eating the Placenta . Why do people eat placenta? It's similarity to cannibalism is about the same as eating your own nails or hair. The supposed benefits of eating one’s own placenta include increased energy, increased quantities of breast milk, and balancing of hormones (as the placenta contains iron, vitamins B6 and B12, estrogen, oxytocin, and progesterone) which could reduce the risk for postpartum depression and insomnia. The ingestion of this organ is connected to a lot of reasons. Parturition involves the delivery of the neonate, as well as the placenta and fetal membranes. Human placentophagy, or consumption of the placenta, is defined as "the ingestion of a human placenta postpartum, at any time, by any person, either in raw or altered (e.g., cooked, dried, steeped in liquid) form". : It is disgusting, you will have to ask one of them ! Due to the lack of scientific evidence that placentophagy is beneficial for humans, many critics believe that the practice should not be recommended for new mothers. In rare cases they do right after birth, but usually folks will blend some in a smoothie in the first few days after birth. Part of the reason I wanted to eat my placenta in the first place is that I am fascinated by the human body and all that it can do. One nutrient is iron. As I seasoned it on the chopping board, the bright, almost glowing red chunk of placenta was more attractive than many cuts of offal I’ve dealt with, and looked quite appetizing.”, “The meat was rich,” he added, “with a beef-like quality. After giving birth, moms are in need of vital nutrients that they’ve lost. A2A Thank you:) Mammals eat their placenta for two reasons. The placenta can be eaten raw, or it can be incorporated into a special meal. My name is Elizabeth Luke, certified Postpartum Placenta Specialist. Why do people eat placenta? The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Source: theatlantic.com. Another piece was soaked in alcohol for a tincture, the latter of which she still uses "like Rescue Remedy". Some mothers have been reported to eat placenta raw. In terms of post-natal depression, people think eating the placenta can help to level off your hormones which can be a bit all over the place after birth. The new ‘Nigerian princes’ of hacking? Some mums believe eating the afterbirth helps avoid baby blues, boosts milk production and gives mothers a natural energy high. These cows do not eat their placenta and simply choose to move their calves somewhere else away from the placenta to protect them. Eating a piece of raw placenta during a postpartum hemorrhage has been effective at lessening or stopping the bleeding. See my policy for more information. Approximately 40 percent of the women in the study reported an improvement in postnatal mood after placenta consumption, and almost all of the women said that they would engage in placentophagy with their next child. Placenta Eating - What's the Deal? The Independent Placenta Encapsulation Network (IPEN) is tapping into the recent trend for eating placenta and charges £150 for capsules, £25 for a smoothie. The placenta feeds the baby until birth, filtering toxins while letting in vitamins, minerals, oxygen, and other nutrients from the mother’s bloodstream. The placenta is an organ that forms on the wall of the uterus during pregnancy, and it is connected to the fetus by the umbilical cord. Writing in a blog on the parenting site Romper earlier this year, mother-of-two Sarah Bregel talks about her experience with using placenta encapsulation to help ward off postpartum depression. Well, some people actually do eat it raw. However you choose to eat your placenta, just make sure you do your research beforehand and have a plan in place for when your placenta is ready to be “harvested.” Whether you are for or against this ancient practice, placentophagy definitely has a “cult following” of sorts, and I … They usually either encapsulate it into pill form or add it to smoothies. The 30-year-old's motivation was pretty clear. A mother needs nutrients that she lost during delivery and what better than eating placenta which is a storehouse of it. But placentophagy – the practice of eating one’s placenta after birth – is relatively common in China, where it is thought to have anti-ageing properties, and dates back more than 2,000 years. In Conversation: Two HIV diagnoses and the difference a decade makes, ‘Sit less, walk more,’ advise heart researchers, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Fifteen good foods for high blood pressure. The feedback from volunteers and such famous celebrities is positive. It's become a fad to eat the placenta - people in all countries including the US are doing it. Some may not eat all of them, but its a survival thing. … They are convinced that the magic bullet gives them an energy boost, can encourage breast milk production and even prevent post-natal depression. She added that while "anecdotally" they were hearing about more women asking to keep the placenta, they could not say if there had been an "actual rise" because it was not something they monitored. When most people hear about placenta encapsulation, their first response is frequently “Why? Whatever the health benefits, there is no denying the strong reaction the subject raises whenever placentophagy makes the news. 1 doctor answer. Luckily, plenty of simple home remedies can bring relief. Those who advocate placentophagy in humans believe that eating the placenta prevents postpartum depression and other pregnancy complications. I thoroughly enjoy providing this service. why do some people eat placenta afterbirth? In a blog on Babble — which is an online magazine for moms — Elizabeth Stark tells of how consuming placenta pills significantly improved her postpartum experience. While we still don't know for sure, there are several different theories. Placenta Encapsulation Show and Tell You’ve heard all the hype about you’re placenta curious! Some people eat the placenta so it doesn't go to waste, some eat it for religious reasons, some just want to eat it. Benefits. People who support eating the placenta say that it can raise your energy and breast milk quantity. Kim. 6 Answers. © 2020 BBC. The placenta is an intricate organ that nourishes the growing fetus by exchanging nutrients and oxygen and filtering waste products via the umbilical cord. There are many ways to go about eating placenta. Amanda. Watford magistrates heard the case and have reserved judgement on the matter. Send thanks to the doctor. “[…] In this case, heating for sufficient time at a temperature adequate to decrease GBS bacterial counts might not have been reached. It is believed that it was Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of unified China who initially made extensive claims about the health properties of the placenta and why it should be consumed. It's a personal preference. The placenta was fried with shallots and garlic, flambeed, pureed and served to a new mother's 20 relatives and friends as a pate on focaccia bread. 0. Although the placenta is revered in many cultures, there is scarce evidence that any customarily eat the placenta after the newborn's birth. Welcome to placenta encapsulation show and tell! read more. The practice of placentophagy, or eating one’s own placenta, is rather common in China, and actually has a history of over 2000 years associated with it. And for those of you who want to know what placenta tastes like, here’s a description from one man who prepared and ate his wife’s placenta: “The cooked placenta […] was actually pretty good. Could placentophagy help? “We need to keep in mind the report is from a SINGLE case study — it is not any sort of precedent. 0. 0 0. Dried placenta is used in some traditional Chinese medicine and is thought to be a restorative, but the practice of placentophagy is a more recent trend in western culture and is not without controversy. Why do people eat ice? Placenta Encapsulation Show and Tell. While this is common in many animals species, it is relatively rare among humans. 0 comment. They think that because animals eat their placenta that there's some sort of mystical property about it. Why do dogs and other animals eat the placenta? To date, there is not one double-blind placebo controlled study on human placentophagy. Dr. Alan Patterson answered. Learn more. The most common way to consume the placenta is to have it made into capsules. "I had never heard of placenta encapsulation before but found out that it could help with the baby blues. The tradition of eating placenta has a long history. Eating your placenta after giving birth (placentophagy) can pose harm to both you and your baby. Why do women eat their placenta? 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Question: Why do people eat the placenta? There is little scientific evidence proving that placentophagy offers health benefits. Placenta smoothie . “Women have traditionally taken it after childbirth, during menstruation or during menopause,” he says, since placenta was thought to be restorative. Placentas contain remainder nutrients and hormones that were passed from mother to child in utero, but no clinical studies attest to their benefit (or harm). “No standards exist for processing placenta for consumption,” say the report authors. There are many midwives or doulas who can provide this service. Why do mums take placenta pills? The NHS is ready to use the initial 800,000 doses when they arrive, the health secretary says. Why Do People Eat the Placenta? One of the reasons that some people advocate for eating the placenta after birth is that it could potentially raise your energy levels. I found it kind of amazing to use something my own body had made, rather than throwing it out with the trash.”, “The jury is still out on whether or not placenta has true health benefits, but there’s no denying that our bodies can do some incredible things.”. What are your thoughts on placentophagy? A 2015 review conducted by investigators from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, IL, concluded that there is insufficient evidence to suggest that eating the placenta provides health benefits for new mothers. .css-14iz86j-BoldText{font-weight:bold;}It is a waste product from childbirth, so why would anyone choose to eat a raw human placenta? "But I'd just pushed a baby out, I'd had lots of people look at me. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Although the placenta is revered in many cultures, there is scarce evidence that any customarily eat the placenta after the newborn's birth. But research has shown that the afterbirth contains a variety of nutrients — such as fiber, protein, and potassium — as well as hormones including estradiol and testosterone. Placenta are nourishing , full of protein, vitamins and minerals. But the company is currently awaiting the outcome of a court case that could see it shut down. 'No corners cut' in vaccine approval, regulator says, US scuba boat captain charged over 34 fire deaths, 'One boy stood out to me - he's now my son', 'I wake up wondering if I still have a job', Why it feels like a government without a majority, 'We've lost a day of trade' over lockdown end date. A2A Thank you:) Mammals eat their placenta for two reasons. Do People Eat Placenta. The placenta is a critical organ that develops in the maternal uterus during pregnancy to support the fetus. 0 0. It sustains life in the womb and has fulfilled its primary purpose once it leaves the mother … There are some which believe that it increases your fertility. How do people eat placenta? Those who practice placentophagy, or placenta eating, have a number of ways to consume it. But in recent years, more and more new mothers are opting for a somewhat controversial practice: placentophagy. 1 decade ago. Why do people eat placenta? She also says she did not develop post-natal depression and "swears it was the placenta". However, there are many mothers commenting on parenting forums who say that placentophagy had a positive effect on their milk production. Why Do People Eat Placenta? Then comes the practice of placentophagia, eating the placenta, is also practiced in some parts of the world. Understand why people do it. She had been receiving therapy for depression for 18 months when she became pregnant and was concerned about developing post-natal depression. Placentophagy, also known as placentophagia, is the act of consuming part or all of the afterbirth following parturition in mammals. After giving birth, moms are in need of vital nutrients that they’ve lost. Advocates for placenta-eating swear that eating placenta after giving birth helps with energy levels, encourages milk production and can help rebalance hormones, which could help with postpartum depression. 0 thank. Placenta smoothies firm in 'health risk' case, The new ‘Nigerian princes’ of hacking? Favourite answer. Answer Save. Quitting…, © 2004-2020 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. “Medically speaking, the placenta is a waste product,” says Dr. Alex Farr, of the Medical University of Vienna in Austria, who recently co-authored a review of human placentophagy. This article looks at 8 home remedies, including…, The diet has a strong influence on blood pressure. ?” with a disgusted look on their face. Labour's Kevin McNamara, who was then MP for Hull North, said the programme was "offensive to the public". However, speaking in 2015, Dr. Clark said that the decision to engage in placentophagy should ultimately be down to the mother. A kind of food can keep healthy and nourish mainly depends on its ingredients. In some cultures, families bury the placenta to honor this momentous organ and celebrate their baby’s life. Posted on January 4, 2018 January 4, 2018. For starters, what is the placenta? “But what I recommend [to] my patients who are thinking about placentophagy,” she explains, “is that the reality is we don’t have any evidence to support the claim of the advocates, nor do we have any evidence to inform the risks. One theory has is that, the placenta, containing high levels of prostglandins can stimulate the "clean out" process and help the uterus to return to a pre-gestation size. The new ‘Nigerian princes’ of hacking? Parturition involves the delivery of the neonate, as well as the placenta and fetal membranes. Last year, the University of Nevada surveyed women who had eaten their placenta. Some moms believe eating placenta has certain health benefits, some have heard it can prevent postpartum depression and for others, it just feels naturals (animals do it after they give birth!) Many mothers eat their placentas after childbirth. We take a look at the evidence for both sides of the argument. Fans of the practice say that eating the placenta can ward off anemia, help increase milk supply, balance hormones and lower your chances of PPD — but only if you eat your own. Instead, the raw placenta could provide just what the mother needs as she recovers from childbirth and begins breastfeeding. And that was certainly the case with me.”. The practice of eating placenta, or “placentophagy,” is common in the animal kingdom. Answer From Mary Marnach, M.D. Why do women eat their placenta? Research is still ongoing about the benefits of placenta encapsulation and whether at all it works. Placenta recipes are a real thing that are on the Internet. Those who advocate placentophagy in humans believe that eating the placenta prevents postpartum depression and other pregnancy complications. Best Answers . “To my surprise, I didn’t experience mood swings and I had more energy while taking the pills,” she writes. Writer Nick Baines gave a mixed review after he whizzed up a smoothie and tucked into a taco - both containing his wife's raw placenta following the birth of their son. Tempted to eat your placenta, but not sure how to go about it? Critics argue that most mammals consume their placentas to hide traces of childbirth from predators in the wild. It was tender, kind of like roast brisket and not dissimilar to Texas BBQ.”. Research is still ongoing about the benefits of placenta encapsulation and whether at all it works. Some people believe that the nutrients passed from mother to foetus during her nine months of pregnancy are still packed inside the organ - and shouldn't be binned. One of this is due to its high nutrient consistency. Understand why people do it. But in response to this report, Placenta Benefits — a website that advocates placentophagy — write that the CDC should not recommend against consuming placenta pills based on one case. The conclusion came from an in-depth analysis of existing animal and human studies that assessed the health effects of placentophagy. One of the benfits is that it can help with mood swings, help with recovery from postpartum depression, improve energy levels, and it … What we found was that people usually decide to eat their placentas because they either previously had, or felt they were at risk of, a negative experience during birth and the post-partum period. Charlie Poulter, from Reading, is convinced that ingesting a palm-sized piece of placenta within a cocktail of red berries and banana gave her energy after her labour. What is more, a case report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published earlier this year indicates that placenta consumption could even be harmful — not only for the mother, but for the baby, too. Placenta are nourishing , full of protein, vitamins and minerals. However, the benefits of placentophagy are anecdotal and some mums do not experience the positive benefits. Since cats in the wild can't hunt for several days after giving birth - the placenta from the kittens acts like protein and is a source of food. “The placenta encapsulation process does not per se eradicate infectious pathogens; thus, placenta capsule ingestion should be avoided,” they add. COVID-19: Which interventions reduce transmission? There are actually a number eat placenta benefits. Human placentophagy, or consumption of the placenta, is defined as "the ingestion of a human placenta postpartum, at any time, by any person, either in raw or altered (e.g., cooked, dried, steeped in liquid) form". It is believed that most non-human mammals with a placenta consume their “afterbirth” — as the placenta is otherwise known — as a way of eradicating the scent of their newborn and protecting them against predators. Answered on Dec 15, 2012. The placenta is an organ that develops during pregnancy. Placentophagy: Placentophagy is the act of eating the placenta after birth. IPEN advised her to put her wishes in in her birthing plan and inform her midwife. There are even meal-like recipes for cooking placentas, including placenta stew, placenta lasagna, power drinks with blended placenta and others. Advocates of placentophagy claim that the practice can help to manage after-birth pain. Video. Explaining that placentophagy is “known” to increase milk supply could be perceived as an overstatement, since one of the most commonly cited studies to suggest that this might be the case is more than 60 years old. Why do animals eat placenta? (Never eat another woman’s; placentas aren't sterile, so there’s a risk of disease.) 1. It felt insignificant compared to what I had just gone through. The Doula Services Network provide some interesting placenta recipes, including placenta lasagna and placenta spaghetti. Tag: why do people eat their placenta. If delivering vaginally, the placenta will normally follow the baby within 5 minutes, though it can take up to half an hour. This cow took her calf very far away and stayed there for a few days. Those who practice placentophagy, or placenta eating, have a number of ways to consume it. With the exception of marine mammals and some domesticated ones, all other mammals consume the afterbirth - possibly to help with the bonding process. In .css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link{color:#3F3F42;}.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited{color:#696969;}.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited{font-weight:bolder;border-bottom:1px solid #BABABA;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link:hover,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited:hover,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link:focus,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited:focus{border-bottom-color:currentcolor;border-bottom-width:2px;color:#B80000;}@supports (text-underline-offset:0.25em){.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited{border-bottom:none;-webkit-text-decoration:underline #BABABA;text-decoration:underline #BABABA;-webkit-text-decoration-thickness:1px;text-decoration-thickness:1px;-webkit-text-decoration-skip-ink:none;text-decoration-skip-ink:none;text-underline-offset:0.25em;}.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link:hover,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited:hover,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link:focus,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited:focus{-webkit-text-decoration-color:currentcolor;text-decoration-color:currentcolor;-webkit-text-decoration-thickness:2px;text-decoration-thickness:2px;color:#B80000;}}what is thought to be the first case of its kind, Dacorum Borough Council prevented IPEN from trading in October last year over concerns about bacterial contamination. “[E]ating your own placenta is known to increase milk supply. Can … The supposed benefits of eating one’s own placenta include increased energy, increased quantities of breast milk, and balancing of hormones (as the placenta contains iron, vitamins B6 and B12, estrogen, oxytocin, and progesterone) which could reduce the risk for postpartum depression and insomnia. In 1998, Channel 4 was reprimanded for showing a woman's afterbirth being served up as pate by TV chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. The practice of eating placenta, or “placentophagy,” is common in the animal kingdom. Placenta recipes are a real thing that are on the Internet. And that means eating it. 1 doctor agrees. Print; 12; A placenta. It attaches to the womb lining and transfers nutrients, oxygen and hormones from the mother’s blood supply to the baby’s via the umbilical cord, while also eliminating waste from the baby, like carbon dioxide. VideoThe new ‘Nigerian princes’ of hacking? All of these processes are crucial for the baby’s growth and development. To get this boost, some new moms opt for eating their own placenta, which is supposed to be high in iron. The placenta is a critical organ that develops in the maternal uterus during pregnancy to support the fetus. Source(s): https://shrinks.im/ba46e. After the placenta is genetically part of the newborn, eating the placenta borders on cannibalism.”. Some cultures believe that these nutrients found in placenta could help nourish the body. Proponents also point out that most other mammals routinely eat their placentas. But is eating placenta really beneficial? The human placenta then becomes something rather messy to be discarded - but not everyone sees it that way. Tinklepaugh and Hartman could not determine the precise reason why macaques—and virtually every other land mammal—eat their own placenta. Proponents also point out that most other mammals routinely eat their placentas. It’s not a bad idea to dispose of placenta if the cow decides she doesn’t want to eat it. For many new mothers who wish to breast-feed, one major worry is whether or not they will be able to produce enough milk to cater for their baby’s needs. These are the claims about the good things that come from placenta and eating your placenta, and what the practice could potentially do for you. “In addition,” they add, “clinicians should inquire regarding a history of placenta ingestion in cases of postpartum maternal or neonatal infections such as group B Streptococcus sepsis.”. One of the reasons that some people advocate for eating the placenta after birth is that it could potentially raise your energy levels. If I was feeling low and tired and crying, I’d take a tablet and, honestly, feel better.”. Then, she returned to the herd. A cool box was also an essential item in her hospital bag, so IPEN could store more of her placenta to dry and make into capsules, which Charlie received within a few days. While there seems to be plenty of anecdotal evidence for the benefits of placentophagy, research tells a different story. Feel free to add your comments to this article. Furthermore, the placenta protects the baby against the mother’s immune system and also produces hormones that help to maintain a healthy pregnancy. “Most mammals eat the placenta after birth, but we can only guess why they do so. "My daughter Lillian was my first child, so I have nothing to compare this to, but I had a lot of energy - I didn't feel completely dead. One study in rats found that female rodents that ate their placenta had a higher pain threshold than rats that did not eat their placenta. 9 years ago. 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Does the placenta provide any real health benefits? Some prefer it raw or cooked as part of a meal or in a smoothie, while others grind it into powder and put in capsules for easier ingestion. “Within 24 hours, I noticed my milk production increase substantially,” she writes. The general consensus is that, at present, there is simply not enough evidence to say whether or not placentophagy is good or bad for postnatal health. Some cultures believe that these nutrients found in placenta could help nourish the body. Placentophagy is simply the practice of consuming the placenta after birth. Often cited is a 1954 study that aimed to increase lactation in new mothers by feeding them freeze-dried placenta. Some tribal religions (pagan ones) believe that the "gods" will bless them with children if they eat the placenta. Many reported health benefits, but, the researchers said, very little work had been carried out to assess this anecdotal evidence. Relevance. The placenta can make up to 200 pills. Admittedly, the first time I read about it, I thought to myself, “I would never do that! Writing on her blog Mama Natural, Genevieve Howland reveals how consuming her placenta in the form of pills significantly increased her milk supply. The CDC suggest that during encapsulation, the placenta was not heated at the temperature required to destroy the GBS bacterium. So, do people just wolf down their placentas right after giving birth like other mammals do? The placenta acts as a transport system: the organ delivers oxygen and nutrients from the mother’s blood to the developing child, as well as removes waste products from the baby’s blood. “Though I don’t have a double-blind, peer-reviewed study to back up my claim, I feel confident that placenta-eating made those first few postpartum weeks easier.”, Speaking to online magazine Parents about her experience after consuming placenta pills, mother-of-two Alice Ross says, “I felt that they gave me more energy and just made me feel a little bit more grounded.