I went to a wedding on Sunday where the grooms mother was a pretty well known Doula. She had many other doulas attending the wedding and helping out throughout the night. I was approached by many of these doulas, with tummy rubs and birthing questions. One of the doulas mentioned placenta encapsulation and told me I should really look into it.
At work, there are 3 of us ladies who sit next to each other, all of us pregnant. It has been fun talking about babies and births and questions of what's to come. We have all mentioned placenta eating before and were making fun of it and joking about it. So I mention it to the ladies as I came into work on Monday and we all immediately started looking into it. As it turns out, there are MANY benefits to it...
So I have decided to try it out. Yes, I will be one of those "hippies" that will in some form or another digest my placenta. But before you judge, take a look into the benefits and you may be surprised what you find. I have included some info on it below and included links to where I have looked up info (although this doesn't really show just how many websites I visited today to research on this... I probably spent a good 4 hours on this). I will be participating in what they call "placenta encapsulation".
I have decided to create my own placenta pills. I would have a doula do this, but the cost is $250 starting and I don't have enough time between now and when the baby comes sometime in the next two weeks (or any day now for that matter) to save up the money to do so. So, James mom has graciously said yes to helping me create these pills (thank you so much!!!) and hopefully I will be able to reap the benefits of the afterbirth (still creeps me out to say it).
Placenta Encapsulation: "Whereby the placenta is completely dried, ground and placed into empty capsules for ingestion. The dehydration process preserves the placenta, allowing the mother to benefit from it for weeks postpartum." - Placenta Benefits.info
Benefits: Because the placenta comes from your own natural hormones, it is already in tune with what your body needs. Supposed benefits include: replenishing depleted iron, providing energy, help to lessen postnatal bleeding, increase milk supply, quicker uterus shrinking, balance emotionally and help with post partum depression. If you freeze and save your pills, you can even use them during menopause. - Placenta encapsulation San Diego
"The capsules are beneficial for any stressful transition. Having to leave the baby to go back to work, a job loss in the family, or a move can cause stress that can be helped with placenta capsules. Since the capsules also help with fatigue and milk production, they can be taken any time the mother feels worn down or needs to increase milk supply." - Placenta Benefits.info
How to create placenta pills: (warning: these are graphic, with pictures!)
I'll let you know how it goes. I might or might not be participating on creating the actual pills, depending on how long I will be in the hospital. But I will let you know how the actual pill making turns out and how I feel when taking them.
Totally interested to see if this works well for you!
ReplyDeleteWhen we finally have kiddos I'm probably going to do this as well. The husband accidentally let it slip to a friend of mine and my mother - wow! The reactions of some people on something that could potentially be very beneficial. I hope if you do it that you don't get any negative comments. All the best!
ReplyDeletexx
OK, I want a FULL report on how this all goes down. I have wanted to do this but have never gone through with it, I have no reasonable excuse for why. Good luck, you are awesome!!
ReplyDeleteI've heard of this! Is it quite expensive to do? I have a midwife friend who also really encourages ingesting the placenta somehow...
ReplyDeleteI am definitely interested in hearing more about this!!
ReplyDeleteMy friend in Santa Barbara gave birth in Feb. and did this. She had no postpartum anything and felt great afterwards. It was her third child and she didn't experience the hormonal ups and downs like she had with her other two births.
ReplyDeletedo you read http://www.thatmamagretchen.com/? she is currently pregnant with her second child and plans on doing the same. here is her post about it, along with a bunch of placenta munching links!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thatmamagretchen.com/2012/04/why-i-plan-to-eat-my-placenta.html
so nice and interesting post .. but I think I would not dare to eat..
ReplyDeleteim so glad you're doing this! Ive actually read about encapsulation many times and feel pretty convinced on doing it, but havnt found an organization on the island that can help me out with that.
ReplyDeletetotally looking forward to reading about your experience with that!
Oh, and check this article out from one of my absolute favorite blogs:
ReplyDeletewww.passionatehomemaking.com/2011/10/the-benefits-of-placenta-encapsulation-for-postpartum-healing.html
I found out about encapsulation from her :)