Nikki Reed revealed that she ate her own placenta, but there can be serious risks to doing so
Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder have been in the news a lot recently. Most recently because Nikki Reed revealed she ate her own placenta. Before we get into it, let’s just talk about how adorable these two are, because they really, really are. First of all, Reed named her baby daughter Bodhi Soleil because of when she took her pregnancy test — the sun was coming up as they learned they were pregnant, and “soleil” means “sun” in French. Cute, right? Plus, Reed and Somerhalder share the sweetest social media messages with each other.
Last month, Reed and Somerhalder were in the news after Reed said that Somerhalder threw away her birth control pills when they decided to have a baby. They later said they were joking and apologized for making light of reproductive coercion.
Now, the couple is in the news for another reason: Reed revealed she ate her placenta.
Reed shared an Instagram photo of her empty bottle of placenta pills earlier this week.
"Last day of placenta pills. Not ready to say goodbye!!!!!" she wrote. She added, "Ps sending love to all you mamas out there doing whatever feels right for you! This was recommended to me by my doula but that does not mean it’s for everyone :). Just do you!"
Why do moms sometimes choose to consume their placenta? The Washington Post says that many believe that it, “reduces pain, improves mood and energy level, increases milk production, and may even have anti-aging properties — a wonder drug produced by a pregnant woman’s own body.”
Reed isn’t the first celebrity to eat her own placenta.
Kim Kardashian, Blac Chyna, and January Jones are a few of the celebrities who’ve gone public about eating their placentas, believing there are health benefits. And many non-famous moms choose to do the same. However, as many comments on Reed’s photo point out, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention tells mothers to avoid eating their own placentas. The CDC made this warning because placentas can carry salmonella and other bacteria.
“Because placentophagy is potentially harmful with no documented benefit, counseling women should be directive: physicians should discourage this practice. Health care organizations should develop clear clinical guidelines to implement a scientific and professional approach to human placentophagy,” a recent study says.
The Washington Post also states that the effects women feel after eating their own placenta could be placebo.
Again — it’s a mother’s choice, as Reed points out. Do what feels best for you, but also consult with your doctor and/or doula.
