Take what’s happening in nature as an example is good, but only sometimes. Learn right from flight of bats build drones, or get whiter white paint from the structure of some beetles. It is also very useful to analyze the ability regeneration some types. But what do some animals prefer eat the placenta after childbirth does not mean that people should do it too.
In fact, it is more than likely that if these animals lived in our conditions, they would not even think about eating the placenta. However, it is still fashionable among some people. It’s trendy too placental imprint, which is to allow the placenta to dry and be painted to later capture it on canvas, which serves as a memory for mothers. It may be more or less appetizing, but not dangerous. Eating the placenta, whether in pills, shakes or any other form, yes it is possible.
It’s useless and besides can cause infections both mothers who take it by mouth and children if they are breastfeeding. So if you want to do something to the placenta after the baby is born, prepare your canvas and watercolors, but don’t eat it.
Why do animals eat the placenta?
Many of those who advocate eating the placenta do so on the grounds that it is something natural, just like animals.
And it is true. Almost all mammals except water, camels and, in principle, people.
Placentophagy, as the activity of eating the placenta is called, occurs in animals for two reasons. On the one hand, when a female has just given birth, both she and her cubs are vulnerable to possible predator attack. Decaying placenta has a very strong odor that can attract such potential danger, which is why mothers prefer to eat it.
On the other hand, it is also possible that after giving birth they nutrient deficiency which they try to provide by eating the placenta. But we humans do not see ourselves in either of these two situations. New calves can be supplemented with the nutrients they need and take all kinds of food. Besides, there are no dangers hidden. Even if they were, the placenta is usually thrown away. In fact, it is known that in some cultures, especially in the past, it was buried, perhaps to avoid the dangers that other animals escape. But it was never eaten.
Why are people eating it now?
In 2020, two scientists from King’s College London conducted a study aimed at analyzing the reasons why some people decide to eat the placenta.
They paid special attention to the study UK parenting forumswhere many young mothers share their experiences. This allowed them to make sure that the majority who make this decision heterosexual, white, married, middle or upper class women.
In other words, privileged women who don’t need to eat the placenta at all. But then why do they do it? The reasons are very different, although in this study they found that a significant proportion of women who do this report that they made this decision out of fear of the consequences. Some women with previous mental health problems or who have had complicated labor or postpartum depression in previous pregnancies.
This depression is caused, among other things, by a sharp drop in some hormones after delivery. They are still in the placenta, so they believe that repeated consumption may help prevent depression. But there is no scientific evidence that this is the case.
It should be clear that if these women are making this decision, it is because someone has told them that it can benefit them. Therefore, it is very important to take care of the information that is given in this regard.
The dangers of eating the placenta
If you have to be careful with this information, it’s because Eating the placenta can be very dangerous.
As a rule, some precautions are taken, such as handling the placenta hot steamto eliminate possible pathogens. But this is not enough. Many can survive these procedures. First of all, it was noticed that group B streptococci.
These bacteria can cause serious problems for newborn babies, even with an immature immune system. It has been observed that if mothers are infected, the bacteria can be passed on to the baby through milk. Therefore, eating the placenta is dangerous not only for mothers, but also for their children.
What we can be sure of is that if wild animals eating their placenta were to give birth in a hospital, with all the necessary hygiene and safety measures, with good food and in a room protected from any danger, they would not have a placenta. . If we are going to look at nature, we must also take this into account.
Source: Hiper Textual
