Many animals eat their placenta after birth. Zoologists know this is to ward off predators, but when the "natural" birth movement took off in the 1960s, believers stated that if animals do it, it must be for a health reason and humans should also.

Ingesting the placenta has become a popular practice among moms, with celebrities like TV personality Kim Kardashian West and actress January Jones claiming that it helps boost energy and deal with postpartum depression.

Men are perceived as powerless and less masculine if their wives choose not to take their surnames after marriage.

"I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride... etc and so forth." This is followed shortly after by the MC announcing the newly married couple, "Now, introducing for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Smith..."

A study has recently suggested that new mothers consuming placenta pills, following childbirth, will experience little to no effect on their post-partum mood, maternal bonding or fatigue.

If women do not take their husband's surname, it is sometimes perceived as "disempowering" the husband.

When you're expecting your first baby, the amount of conflicting information on pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting out there can be overwhelming. Should you breastfeed or use formula? Co-sleep or not? So many choices are fraught with controversy, but there's one decision that's now easier to make than ever, because there's even more evidence that women shouldn't be eating their placentas, in any form. It's true that many other mammals do so, but whether you're blending it into a smoothie or popping freeze-dried pills, placentophagy offers no benefits to humans, and it can actually be extremely dangerous for both mother and child.

If you’ve been anywhere near the internet this week, you’ve probably heard about The New York Times profile of neo-Nazi Tony Hovater. “A Voice of Hate in America’s Heartland” contrasted Hovater’s presence at the Charlottesville, Virginia, white supremacist march and extreme views on whether or not Hitler did anything wrong with his upcoming nuptials and love of “Seinfeld.”

Celebrity socialite Kim Kardashian West says it boosted her energy level. Mad Men’s January Jones touts it as a cure for postpartum depression. But does eating one’s placenta after birth—an apparently growing practice around the globe—actually confer any health benefits? Not really, according to the first in-depth analyses of the practice.

The Chicago book launch for author Lynn Comella's new book Vibrator Nation, detailing the fascinating history of how stores like Early to Bed set the sex-toy industry abuzz, will be Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at 5044 N Clark St. The event is free.

Today in “Why is this still a thing?”: Keeping your maiden name could affect how people view your husband.

While taking their husband's surname was once the norm, women are increasingly choosing to keep their maiden name after marriage.