In August 2018 researchers from the USA published the results of their study to assess whether women practising placentophagy, ie consumption of the placenta, experienced improved maternal mood, bonding, and fatigue. A total of 12 individuals were given a supplement containing their dehydrated placenta while 15 individuals consuming a placebo acted as a control group. Maternal mood, bonding, and fatigue were assessed at four time points during late pregnancy and early postpartum. Results showed that there was no significant difference in relation to maternal mood, bonding, or fatigue between the placenta and placebo groups. However, examination of individual time points did suggest some occasional evidence of a decrease in depressive symptoms as well as reduced fatigue within the placenta group but not the placebo group. Further research is required.
Young SM et al. Placentophagy’s effects on mood, bonding, and fatigue: A pilot trial, part 2. Women Birth. 2018 Aug;31(4):e258-e271