A natural way to balance your system.
Placentophagy is the act of consuming your placenta following the birth of your child.
Why choose to consume your placenta?
Human placentophagy dates back thousands of years. It is used as a natural healing tool. Women have testified their person accounts after consuming their placenta and have given a number of personal benefits. The placenta is home to many hormones that are specific to each woman and her baby. That could explain why this practice is still deemed as useful. The placenta is used to restore lost iron reserves after the birth of your baby, which has helped women to feel re-energized, as well. Read on to learn more about the hormones that are found within this special organ.
Prostaglandin is the uterus shrinking hormone within your placenta which can aid in returning it to its pre-birth size. After you birth your baby, the placenta detaches from the uteran wall leaving a large wound on the inside of your body. Hormones are needed to stop any excessive bleeding. Midwives and childbirth experts have used the placenta for centuries to stop post-partum hemorrhage and excessive bleeding.
Oxytocin is another important hormone within your placenta which after eating, can help to bring in your breast milk quicker, more abundantly, and make it more nutritious for your baby. Oxytocin is the "love hormone" that is released during childbirth, immediately following childbirth, and during let down during breastfeeding. It is the reason we feel connected to our children and those we love. The placenta can assist to replenish your oxytocin which can help you to ward off "baby blues" and may even prevent post-partum depression while enhancing the bond you feel with your new baby.
Endorphin and Dynorphin are your natural opioids that are excreted during childbirth to higher the pain threshold in a birthing mother. Coupled with the consumption of the placenta immediately following childbirth, it is possible for a new mother to benefit from increased pain relief.
Immunoglobulin, Iron, and Hemoglobin aid in replenishing depleted blood supply, increasing energy, and restoring your immune system that was suppressed during times of stress or lack of sleep.
Prostaglandins regulate contractions after birth and bring your uterus down to its pre-pregnancy size. These also have anti-inflammatory effects.
Along with the above, your placenta also contains the following properties that are uniquely regulated to you and your baby: estrogen (regulates other key hormones), corticotropin releasing hormone (may ward off depression when regulated), placental opioid-enhancing factor (pain reduction), thyroid stimulating hormone (regulates your thyroid, boosts energy), cortisone (reduces swelling, inflammation), interferon (boost immune system), urokinase inhibiting factor & factor XIII (stops bleeding and enhances wound healing), human placental lactogen (lactation, regulates glucose, protein, and fat levels).