Placenta Encapsulation: Say What?!

Pictured (from the left): Amber glass jar full of completed placenta capsules, placenta print on watercolor paper, suggestions for storage and dosage, postnatal vitamins donated by Community Pharmacy in Salisbury, umbilical cord keepsake in "love" shape, and gift bag to keep it all safe :-)

When you hear "placenta encapsulation", you might think “Cool!” or “What the heck is that?” or “That’s disgusting!” or some combination of the three!  We get a variety of these responses all the time!  Here's what you need to know:

Almost all mammals consume their placenta after birth!  The benefits can include: replaced iron after blood loss from birth, enhanced Vitamin B levels for increased energy levels, stabilizing hormones postpartum, increased milk production, hormones responsible for pain relief and healing from labor and birth, and lessened likelihood or severity of postpartum depression. These hormone responses are for physical and physiological protective reasons and are studied and evidence-backed—protaglandins stimulate involution (uterus shrinking back to its normal size), oxytocin influences stress responses and milk production and ejection, and endorphins assist with pain relief.

You may ask: “Okay, sure.  Mammals in the wild.  But why us?”  But our past clients would ask: “Why not?!”  Your placenta was created by your body and was designed specifically for your body.  It’s been inside of your body for 9 straight months and you’re just re-gifting your body the benefit of this incredible organ that’s been supporting your baby.  Now it’s time for your placenta to support not just you and your baby in pregnancy, but in postpartum, too!  We, too, are mammals with the same necessary functions and hormonal process of childbirth and we’ve created a way to still reap the benefits in a much more pleasing way—in a capsule.  Placenta encapsulation is a simple process, can be done in the comfort of your own home or in your specialists’ space, and is affordable!

In a survey of women who engaged in placentophagy (placenta consumption), the majority of women reported that placentophagy was a
very positive experience (75%) or positive experience (20%). Four percent of  participants described it as slightly positive and 1% of participants selected not positive*.

That's right!  99% of women who encapsulated their placentas reported positive benefits!

The process looks like this:  Before birth, we sign a placenta agreement and you get an insulated cooler to pack in your hospital bag (pictured below). After your birth, your nurses take care of packaging and storing your placenta and you call your specialist to inform them of the delivery.  The specialist comes and picks it up.  The placenta is cut into small pieces and placed in a dehydrator to dry until all moisture is absent.  Then, the pieces are ground into a fine powder and placed into capsules.  The capsules, a cord keepsake, and instructions for dosage are packaged together and delivered to your door.  Easy as pie and you can begin taking your capsules within 24-72 hours after birth!

It sounds weird at first, admittedly.  You’re going to ingest WHAT?!  But, when I look at it this way it becomes more appealing.   Use your imagination here.  Pretend you've never heard of placenta encapsulation at all.  Now close your eyes.  Just kidding, don't close your eyes because you need to read this part:

Believe it or not, there’s a pill that is specifically designed for new postpartum mothers.  It’s 100% natural, created by your body only for your body and your baby.  It’s produced by Thrive, trusted and safe professionals with training.  It’s shown in studies that 99% of women who take this pill report positive benefits such as: increased milk production, less likelihood or severity of postpartum depression, increased energy levels, quicker and less painful recovery from childbirth, restored iron and B vitamin levels after childbirth, and overall mood stabilizing effects.  It’s safe, easy, and affordable.

Doesn't sound so bad now, does it?  If you're interested in learning more or getting started, feel free to contact us or give me a call at 410-449-0016.

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REFERENCE

Jodi Selander , Allison Cantor , Sharon M. Young & Daniel C. Benyshek (2013):
Human Maternal Placentophagy: A Survey of Self-Reported Motivations and Experiences Associated
with Placenta Consumption, Ecology of Food and Nutrition, 52:2, 93-115