Abstract
Background
Human maternal placentophagy is gaining popularity among a growing number of women
who believe it provides maternal benefits, including prevention of postpartum blues/depression,
improved maternal bonding, and reduced fatigue.
Methods
We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study (N = 27) in which participants consumed either their processed, encapsulated placenta (n = 12), or similarly prepared placebo (n = 15). Maternal mood, bonding, and fatigue were assessed via validated scales across
four time points during late pregnancy and early postpartum. Psychometric data were
analyzed for changes between and within both groups over time.
Results
No significant main effects related to maternal mood, bonding, or fatigue were evident
between placenta and placebo group participants. However, examination of individual
time points suggested that some measures had specific time-related differences between
placenta and placebo groups that may warrant future exploration. Though statistical
significance should not be interpreted in these cases, we did find some evidence of
a decrease in depressive symptoms within the placenta group but not the placebo group,
and reduced fatigue in placenta group participants at the end of the study compared
to the placebo group.
Conclusions
No robust differences in postpartum maternal mood, bonding, or fatigue were detected
between the placenta and placebo groups. This finding may be especially important
for women considering maternal placentophagy as a ‘natural’ (i.e., non-pharmacological)
means of preventing or treating blues/depression. Given the study limitations, these
findings should be interpreted as preliminary. Small, time-related improvements in
maternal mood and lower fatigue post-supplementation among placenta group participants
may warrant further research.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 23, 2017
Accepted:
November 4,
2017
Received in revised form:
October 4,
2017
Received:
May 11,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
