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My wife is pregnant with our first child and she has had a conversation with an older lady who says that you need to consume your placenta in one way or another. She said the hospital will even put it in capsules for you. She says everyone of her friends that didn’t end up doing it had bad postpartum depression, whereas the people who did ingest it were spared. I guess there are other benefits too? It sounds like something a lunatic would do, but what’s the consensus here? Am I wrong to think that’s it’s nuts?

My wife is pregnant with our first child and she has had a conversation with an older lady who says that you need to consume your placenta in one way or another. She said the hospital will even put it in capsules for you. She says everyone of her friends that didn’t end up doing it had bad postpartum depression, whereas the people who did ingest it were spared. I guess there are other benefits too? It sounds like something a lunatic would do, but what’s the consensus here? Am I wrong to think that’s it’s nuts?

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[–] • 6 pts (edited )

There is not a ton of evidence (aside from anecdotal) that there is a benefit. Animals do this instinctively, and some cultures practice this as well. If you are going to do it, raw or dried would probably be best as cooking may destroy beneficial bacterial, vitamins, certain cells, etc. The best theory, I think, as to the benefit of eating the placenta is that it contains high amounts of iron. Replacing iron after childbirth definitely makes sense! Low iron can negatively affect mood and mental health as well https://www.livestrong.com/article/489269-can-iron-deficiency-cause-psychological-problems/