Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Readability of patient educational materials on ultrasound: a cross-sectional study.

Journal of perinatal medicine·2026
Same author

The sequelae of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal body mass index, gestational weight gain, and delivery-associated birth complications: a nationwide epidemiologic study.

BMC public health·2026
Same author

Clinical artificial intelligence competence in obstetrics and gynecology: patient safety, physician accountability, and responsible use.

American journal of obstetrics and gynecology·2026
Same author

Freebirth and professional responsibility: Respect for autonomy does not justify clinical neutrality on preventable fetal and neonatal harm.

Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica·2026
Same author

Corrigendum to: The fetus as a patient in the 21st century: science, ethics, technology and global responsibility.

Journal of perinatal medicine·2026
Same author

Global and US standards for intrapartum surveillance of the pregnant and the fetal patient.

International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 23, 2026

Ex Vivo Perfusion of the Rodent Placenta
06:54

Ex Vivo Perfusion of the Rodent Placenta

Published on: May 30, 2019

10.5K

Human placentophagy: a review.

Alex Farr1, Frank A Chervenak2, Laurence B McCullough2

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Feto-Maternal Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|September 2, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Human placentophagy, or eating the placenta postpartum, lacks scientific evidence for benefits and carries risks. Medical professionals should advise against this practice due to potential harm and absence of clinical advantages.

Keywords:
placentaplacenta consumptionplacenta encapsulationplacentophagiaplacentophagy

More Related Videos

A Primary Human Trophoblast Model to Study the Effect of Inflammation Associated with Maternal Obesity on Regulation of Autophagy in the Placenta
11:44

A Primary Human Trophoblast Model to Study the Effect of Inflammation Associated with Maternal Obesity on Regulation of Autophagy in the Placenta

Published on: September 27, 2017

11.9K
The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo
12:17

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo

Published on: August 2, 2017

11.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 23, 2026

Ex Vivo Perfusion of the Rodent Placenta
06:54

Ex Vivo Perfusion of the Rodent Placenta

Published on: May 30, 2019

10.5K
A Primary Human Trophoblast Model to Study the Effect of Inflammation Associated with Maternal Obesity on Regulation of Autophagy in the Placenta
11:44

A Primary Human Trophoblast Model to Study the Effect of Inflammation Associated with Maternal Obesity on Regulation of Autophagy in the Placenta

Published on: September 27, 2017

11.9K
The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo
12:17

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo

Published on: August 2, 2017

11.3K

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Postpartum Care
  • Human Biology

Background:

  • Placentophagy, the postpartum ingestion of the placenta, is common in mammals but not traditional in human cultures.
  • There is a growing interest in human placentophagy, particularly in the United States, with various preparation methods like encapsulation.
  • Anecdotal claims suggest physical and psychosocial benefits, but scientific evidence is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the scientific evidence for the benefits of human placentophagy.
  • To assess the risks associated with postpartum placenta consumption.
  • To provide guidance for healthcare professionals regarding patient inquiries about placentophagy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on human placentophagy.
  • Analysis of reported cases and warnings from health organizations like the CDC.
  • Assessment of nutrient and hormone retention in encapsulated placentas.

Main Results:

  • No scientific evidence supports clinical benefits of human placentophagy.
  • Placenta encapsulation does not retain sufficient nutrients or hormones to benefit postpartum mothers.
  • A CDC warning highlighted a case of neonatal sepsis linked to contaminated placenta capsules.

Conclusions:

  • Physicians should inform patients about the lack of benefits and potential risks of placentophagy.
  • Placentophagy is potentially harmful and should be discouraged due to infection risks and unproven benefits.
  • Healthcare organizations need guidelines to address human placentophagy scientifically and professionally.