Great topic and one I encounter frequently in private practice. I often collaborate with a local midwife who prepare placenta medicine and I just sent her this email. When she replies I'll share the response:
Me to midwife: "An interesting question came up on a lactation forum and I hope you can help or point me to more info…
Many LCs, myself included,  work with moms who take their placenta encapsulated after delivery.  I have long loved placenta medicine and was intrigued by a question that was brought up in a forum today. The placenta produces a large amount of progesterone, which is NOT what a mom wants for adequate lactation hormones. Although, consuming the placenta is considered by some to be a galactogogue (I haven’t seen this myself actually…but do love it for iron, mood issues, etc), could the consumption of the placenta elevate progesterone to a level that could hamper milk supply in moms prone to low supply??? Any ideas on this one? I am almost certain no studies exist  It would be awesome to do a tissue study of a piece of placenta before encapsulation and test the progesterone levels…"

Melissa Cole, IBCLC
Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA
www.lunalactation.com

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