title: Perspectives from Patients and Healthcare Providers on the Practice of Maternal Placentophagy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Placentophagy (maternal consumption of the placenta) has become increasingly prevalent in the past decade among women seeking to promote health and healing during the postpartum period. The purpose of this study was to assess patient and provider familiarity with and attitudes toward placentophagy, as well as patients' willingness to try placentophagy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two cross-sectional surveys with questions regarding placentophagy practice were distributed to healthcare providers and patients. The provider survey was distributed via email listservers to international perinatal professional organizations and to obstetrics and gynecology, nurse midwifery, family medicine, and psychiatry departments at three urban hospitals. Patient surveys were administered in person at an urban hospital in Chicago, Illinois.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately two thirds (66%; n = 100) of patients and most (89%; n = 161) of providers were familiar with placentophagy. Patients with a history of a self-reported mental health disorder were more likely to be willing to consider placentophagy and to believe that healthcare providers should discuss it with their patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most providers and patients have heard of placentophagy but are unsure of its benefits and/or risks. Further research examining the potential therapeutic efficacy and/or risks of placentophagy is needed.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Schuette
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital , Chestnut Hill, MA.
authors.forename: Kara M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, IL.|4 Asher Center for the Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Danielle A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Cuthbert
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, IL.|4 Asher Center for the Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Cynthia W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Coyle
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, IL.|4 Asher Center for the Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Wisner
authors.affiliation: 5 Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine , Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO.
authors.forename: M Camille
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.affiliation: 6 Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: 6 Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Jody D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Ciolino
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, IL.|4 Asher Center for the Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Newmark
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, IL.|4 Asher Center for the Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Crystal T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019052:Depression, Postpartum; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D010920:Placenta; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: mental health; postpartum; supplements; women's health