THE BENEFITS

The 2013 study, “Human Maternal Placentophagy: A Survey of Self-Reported Motivations and Experiences Associated with Placenta Consumption,” has gathered the self- reported benefits from mothers who have experienced placental consumption first hand. There are 15 benefits that women consistently report from placental consumption including:

• Alleviated postpartum bleeding
• Enhanced uterine involution (uterus returns to pre- pregnancy size)
• Improved and accelerated healing and recovery
• Reduced maternal postpartum pain
• Prevention or treatment of anaemia (low iron)
• Improved lactation
• Facilitated bonding with newborn
• Increased energy, strength and vitality
• Accelerated weight loss postpartum
• Prevention and relief of headaches
• Treatment and prevention of hypothyroidism
• Replenishment and regulation of hormones
• Improved quality of sleep
• Increased libido
• Reduced risk of developing PNA/ PND

The majority (69%) of the respondents reported no negative effects from placental consumption. (The single most cited negative effect was an unpleasant taste or smell.) The most cited benefit was an improved mood; the second was increased energy and decreased fatigue. While benefits like “improved mood” are hard to quantify—mothers are consistently reporting this, calling their placenta doses “happy pills,” and noting that even their small children could tell when they skip doses. Scientists are continuing to discover the numerous compounds in the placenta that produce these consistently perceived results.