The practice of consuming human placenta after giving birth is believed to be of medical importance as it is said to aid new moms recover fast after delivery.

Even celebrity moms who have tried eating the human organ in pill form testified to the "wondrous effects" of placentophagy probably the reason why it has become more and more popular in the recent years.

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Better breast milk production, pain reduction, strengthening of the immune system, faster uterine recovery and prevention of postpartum depression are among the many alleged health benefits placentophagy.

But can eating human placenta really help women recover after childbirth?

Since the placenta is a fetomaternal organ which transports nutrients from the mother to the fetus and produces hormones to support pregnancy, it is believed that the afterbirth retains some of the hormones post-delivery and that consumption of the organ replenishes hormones and nutrients lost during childbirth.

Science however, does not support most of the claims of its asserted benefits.

Dr. Crystal Clark, a psychiatrist specializing in reproduction-related mood disorders at Northwestern University, found in a new review she conducted that there is no scientific evidence that ingesting human placenta could benefit new mothers, according to Growing Your Baby.

Researchers reportedly reviewed 10 studies — six of which were animal and four human. No conclusion has been drawn from the claims that ingesting placenta pills could improve lactation. There was not enough evidence to support pain relief both on animal and human studies, The New York Times reported.

Clark is in fact concerned that there are no studies dedicated to probe on the potential risks of ingesting the placenta that filters out pollutants and toxins during pregnancy as a means to protect the growing baby.

"Bacteria and elements such as mercury and lead have been identified in the post-term placenta," Clark Clark said. "So if the theory is that we retain nutrients and hormones such as estrogen and iron that could be beneficial, then the question becomes what harmful substances can also be retained that could harm the mother or the baby if she is breastfeeding."

Despite experts warning the public against the supposed medical effects and the possible dangers of the practice, many women still insist on their rights to take their own placenta home after childbirth.

Melissa Mathis, who just had her baby last year in a Dallas hospital, gave credit to placentophagy for her successful breastfeeding and emotional stability postpartum, NPR.org has learned.

"I definitely feel that it helped me," Mathis said.

Although she is open to hearing more science about placenta, Mathis maintains she just wants to decide for herself.

"I feel like it's a personal liberty issue. It's our freedom to choose what we're going to do with our own bodies," she said.

Placenta is usually dehydrated or dried out then pulverized and taken as pills.

TagsPlacenta, Pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, Postpartum Depression