Placenta encapsulation is becoming more and more popular among women on the Eastern Shore and all over the country. Women are hiring professionals to prepare their placenta into a capsule form to be ingested. The process is simple; the service can be completed in a few days; and taking the capsules can provide immense benefits to a new mother.

Your placenta is the only disposable organ that your body will ever grow and then release on its own. It exists so that your baby exists. Your placenta is the source of all of your baby's oxygen, nutrients, and hormones during pregnancy. Your baby is attached to his placenta via his umbilical cord. Your baby carries a special bond with this very special organ.

The value of your placenta does not decrease just because your baby has been born.

After the birth of your baby, your uterus contracts, releases the placenta from its wall, and then your placenta is born. At some point, the baby is usually separated from the placenta by clamping and cutting his umbilical cord. If you're not planning to have your placenta prepared, you probably won't ever see it again. But if you're in the growing population of women who seek optimal postpartum health, you may be considering placenta encapsulation. Believe it or not, almost all mammals consume their placenta after birth.

The reported benefits of placenta encapsulation include:

Lessened the likelihood or severity of postpartum depression or "baby blues"
Replenished iron from blood loss during birth
Stabilized hormones and provided a consistent flow of oxytocin after birth euphoria ends
Established early and healthy milk supply
Replenished B vitamins and energy after birth
Natural pain relief after birth

If you've chosen to hire a placenta encapsulation specialist, your placenta will either be steamed first and then cut, or simply cut raw, dehydrated to release all moisture, ground into a fine powder, and then carefully placed into capsules.

If your placenta is prepared by Thrive Birth Services of Delmarva, you will receive your capsules within 72 hours so that you can begin to reap the benefits as early as possible. Your placenta specialist always upholds the utmost safety standards. The placenta encapsulation package includes an in-person or phone consultation during pregnancy, finished capsules in a glass jar, an umbilical cord keepsake, instructions for storage, and suggestions for dosage.

Placenta encapsulation has been described as your "insurance policy" to a healthy postpartum. Visit our services page to read more about placenta encapsulation and how it can benefit you.