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Perspectives from Patients and Healthcare Providers on the Practice of Maternal Placentophagy.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Schuette, SA; Brown, KM; Cuthbert, DA; Coyle, CW; Wisner, KL; Hoffman, MC; Yang, A; Ciolino, JD; Newmark, RL; Clark, CT
Published in: J Altern Complement Med
January 2017

PURPOSE: 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.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

J Altern Complement Med

DOI

EISSN

1557-7708

Publication Date

January 2017

Volume

23

Issue

1

Start / End Page

60 / 67

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Pregnancy
  • Placenta
  • Illinois
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Eating
  • Depression, Postpartum
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Complementary & Alternative Medicine
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Schuette, S. A., Brown, K. M., Cuthbert, D. A., Coyle, C. W., Wisner, K. L., Hoffman, M. C., … Clark, C. T. (2017). Perspectives from Patients and Healthcare Providers on the Practice of Maternal Placentophagy. J Altern Complement Med, 23(1), 60–67. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2016.0147
Schuette, Stephanie A., Kara M. Brown, Danielle A. Cuthbert, Cynthia W. Coyle, Katherine L. Wisner, M Camille Hoffman, Amy Yang, Jody D. Ciolino, Rebecca L. Newmark, and Crystal T. Clark. “Perspectives from Patients and Healthcare Providers on the Practice of Maternal Placentophagy.J Altern Complement Med 23, no. 1 (January 2017): 60–67. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2016.0147.
Schuette SA, Brown KM, Cuthbert DA, Coyle CW, Wisner KL, Hoffman MC, et al. Perspectives from Patients and Healthcare Providers on the Practice of Maternal Placentophagy. J Altern Complement Med. 2017 Jan;23(1):60–7.
Schuette, Stephanie A., et al. “Perspectives from Patients and Healthcare Providers on the Practice of Maternal Placentophagy.J Altern Complement Med, vol. 23, no. 1, Jan. 2017, pp. 60–67. Pubmed, doi:10.1089/acm.2016.0147.
Schuette SA, Brown KM, Cuthbert DA, Coyle CW, Wisner KL, Hoffman MC, Yang A, Ciolino JD, Newmark RL, Clark CT. Perspectives from Patients and Healthcare Providers on the Practice of Maternal Placentophagy. J Altern Complement Med. 2017 Jan;23(1):60–67.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Altern Complement Med

DOI

EISSN

1557-7708

Publication Date

January 2017

Volume

23

Issue

1

Start / End Page

60 / 67

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Pregnancy
  • Placenta
  • Illinois
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Eating
  • Depression, Postpartum
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Complementary & Alternative Medicine