A mum of four has defended her decision to drink a raw placenta smoothie after the birth of her baby.

Sasha Blaney followed in the footsteps of celebrities like the Kardashians and Hilary Duff, by consuming her own placenta after giving birth. Her birth photographer, Jaydene Freund from Cradled Creations, captured footage of Sasha drinking a placenta smoothie not long after the birth of her baby, including the recipe for the postpartum beverage.

The informative video details the benefits of a placenta smoothie, including reducing postpartum bleeding, improving milk supply and energy and preventing postpartum depression. It shows the placenta smoothie being prepared, and includes the following recipe:

Placenta Smoothie Recipe

• 3cm round piece placenta
• fresh berries
• yoghurt
• banana
• juice and ice

Jaydene recently shared the footage, which was filmed some time ago, attracting praise from many mums who had consumed their own placentas.

“Found this old footage and thought it needed its own post,” Jaydene wrote. “There are so many benefits to consuming your placenta … but have you heard of consuming it as a smoothie?”

Some mums revealed they’d had their placenta encapsulated, while other enjoyed placenta smoothies for weeks after birth. The post also attracted praise from a doula for breaking the stigma of smoothie consumption.

However, one follower wasn’t as supportive. “While there may be some benefits, they have not been proven. The risks outweigh the benefits! As a maternity nurse consuming your placenta could be deadly to your newborn. Yes I know the facts. Yes it is research based. And yes it is NOT medically recommended to consume your placenta.”

It prompted a response from Sasha, who defended her decision. “My mum is a midwife so I am pretty sure if there was any evidence showing that consuming your placenta can be deadly to your newborn she would have stopped me from doing it. As would her four practice partners!”

Is it safe to consume placenta?

While some mums choose to eat their placenta raw via a smoothie, or cooked like steak, others choose to have their placenta steamed, dried, ground into a powder and made into capsules.

There are claims that consuming placenta can boost milk supply or reduce the risk of postpartum depression, but there’s no clear evidence to support these claims.

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration says new mums should be aware of the ‘potential health risks associated with the preparation and consumption’ of placentas.

It warns that human placenta may contain and transmit bacteria and viruses.