Placenta Encapsulation: Iron, Fatigue & Postpartum Depression
Iron deficiency, fatigue, and Postpartum Depression are interconnected. Research has shown that in mothers who were experiencing fatigue during the postpartum period often benefitted from iron supplementation, even when their iron levels appeared to be normal, and they were therefore not considered to be anemic. It is thought that this is because iron deficiency (even in the absence of anemia) can affect cellular function, including cellular activity and function (Favrat, et al., 5). The study discussed in the article "Maternal Iron Deficiency Anemia Affects Postpartum Emotions and Cognition" showed similar results with mothers who received iron treatment showing improvement in "a number of behavioral and cognitive variables", including improved stress levels and decreased depression levels (Beard, Hendricks, Perez, Murray-Kolb, Berg, Vernon-Feagans, Irlam, Issacs, Sive & Tomlinson, 271). Because iron deficiency affects cellular function, it also affects energy level (fatigue) and mood (depression). According to Beard, et al., anemia and "poor iron stauts" combined over time to affect the function and behavior of mothers, and iron deficiency affects not only cognition but also emotional state (271). The decreased cognition and mood issues (depression) According to the article "Have we forgotten the significance of postpartum iron deficiency?", the iron needs of women during pregnancy are very difficult to meet solely through dietary intake (even in the U.S.) or through use of iron stores within the body (Bodnar, Cogswell & McDonald, 36). This means that even though women's iron levels are thought to raise significantly following childbirth (aided by the lack of menstrual periods after childbirth and the small amounts of iron lost through the production of breast milk compared to that required by pregnancy), women are more at risk of iron deficiency during the postpartum period, especially low-income women (42). The same article details studies that show that iron deficiency affects physical endurance, work efficiency, attention span, short term memory, mood, and immune function (Bondar, et al., 38-39). It was also shown that women who deliver multiples are at higher risk for iron deficiency than those who do not.
It is not surprising, then, that the study discussed in the article "Fatigue as a Predictor of Postpartum Depression" found a high correlation between postpartum fatigue and postpartum depression (439). The study showed that women who have symptoms of postpartum fatigue are more likely to later show symptoms of (and be diagnosed with) postpartum depression (Bodnar, et al., 441). This means that screening for postpartum fatigue by Day 7 and at the latest by Day 14, could be useful in screening for postpartum depression, because the correlation between postpartum fatigue and postpartum depression could help to pinpoint women who are more likely to show symptoms of postpartum depression at Day 28 (Bodnar, et al., 441). The study also shows that while women may not recognize or self-report depression they are more likely to self-report fatigue, which could be helpful in pinpointing women who should be more carefully screened for postpartum depression (Bodnar, et al., 441). The study discussed in the article "The Impact of Fatigue on the Development of Postpartum Depression" supports these findings, also showing that women who experienced high levels of fatigue postpartum showed more symptoms of depression than those who did not show high levels of postpartum fatigue (Corwin, Brownstead, Barton, Heckard & Morin, 583). The article also discusses that while some fatigue is normal postpartum, continued and high level fatigue is not, and can lead to issues such as stress and depression Corwin, et al., (573).
Placenta ingestion could help avoid Postpartum Depression by increasing iron levels postpartum and also helping to restore iron reserves postpartum. The article "Iron Content of Intact Placentas and Cords" explains how the only significant loss of iron during pregnancy is at childbirth, because not only is there a loss of iron from postpartum bleeding and to the infant, but also because the iron in the placenta, placental blood, and cord tissue is lost (McCov, Bleiler & Ohlson, 613). Established recommendations of iron requirements during pregnancy do not take into account the loss of iron through the placenta, placental blood, and cord tissue. The study in the article showed that although iron levels in the placenta vary considerably, the average amount of iron present in the placentas from the study was 75.5 mg, which is 4% of the recommended dietary iron intake during pregnancy (McCov, et al., 614). By ingesting the placenta during the postpartum period, women are taking in much of the iron that left their bodies after childbirth, therefore increasing their iron levels and helping replenish their iron reserves. By increasing their iron levels and replenishing their iron reserves postpartum, women can increase their energy levels and avoid postpartum fatigue, and in turn can help themselves avoid postpartum depression.
It is not surprising, then, that the study discussed in the article "Fatigue as a Predictor of Postpartum Depression" found a high correlation between postpartum fatigue and postpartum depression (439). The study showed that women who have symptoms of postpartum fatigue are more likely to later show symptoms of (and be diagnosed with) postpartum depression (Bodnar, et al., 441). This means that screening for postpartum fatigue by Day 7 and at the latest by Day 14, could be useful in screening for postpartum depression, because the correlation between postpartum fatigue and postpartum depression could help to pinpoint women who are more likely to show symptoms of postpartum depression at Day 28 (Bodnar, et al., 441). The study also shows that while women may not recognize or self-report depression they are more likely to self-report fatigue, which could be helpful in pinpointing women who should be more carefully screened for postpartum depression (Bodnar, et al., 441). The study discussed in the article "The Impact of Fatigue on the Development of Postpartum Depression" supports these findings, also showing that women who experienced high levels of fatigue postpartum showed more symptoms of depression than those who did not show high levels of postpartum fatigue (Corwin, Brownstead, Barton, Heckard & Morin, 583). The article also discusses that while some fatigue is normal postpartum, continued and high level fatigue is not, and can lead to issues such as stress and depression Corwin, et al., (573).
Placenta ingestion could help avoid Postpartum Depression by increasing iron levels postpartum and also helping to restore iron reserves postpartum. The article "Iron Content of Intact Placentas and Cords" explains how the only significant loss of iron during pregnancy is at childbirth, because not only is there a loss of iron from postpartum bleeding and to the infant, but also because the iron in the placenta, placental blood, and cord tissue is lost (McCov, Bleiler & Ohlson, 613). Established recommendations of iron requirements during pregnancy do not take into account the loss of iron through the placenta, placental blood, and cord tissue. The study in the article showed that although iron levels in the placenta vary considerably, the average amount of iron present in the placentas from the study was 75.5 mg, which is 4% of the recommended dietary iron intake during pregnancy (McCov, et al., 614). By ingesting the placenta during the postpartum period, women are taking in much of the iron that left their bodies after childbirth, therefore increasing their iron levels and helping replenish their iron reserves. By increasing their iron levels and replenishing their iron reserves postpartum, women can increase their energy levels and avoid postpartum fatigue, and in turn can help themselves avoid postpartum depression.