What is Placenta Encapsulation?

Encapsulation is basically dehydrating and then crushing your placenta, and placing the resulting fine powder into medical grade capsules, which can be taken during your postpartum recovery period to aid in mood stabilization and milk supply. 

Ingesting your placenta in capsule form is believed to gradually replace the hormones lost so rapidly after childbirth and therefore eases drastic mood swings that can occur postpartum.

Of course there is research available on the benefits of encapsulation, but almost all of it was done on animal subjects... I'm most impressed with the stories of women giving birth a second time, who decided to try placenta encapsulation to see if they could have a better postpartum experience.  Those moms have told me they felt much better, and wish they had known about encapsulation the first time!

I think it's wonderful this option exists for women who are interested, and I'm pleased to be able to provide it.  I use flavored, colored capsules so you neither SEE nor TASTE anything unpleasant! 

Even if the only benefit is the placebo effect, that's a good reason to try to have a happier postpartum period!  The placebo effect can give you up to 10% better results!

Research is showing that ingesting the placenta may help:

• Balance Hormones After Birth
• Help Stave-off Postpartum Depression
• Speed Your Recovery Time
• Promote Abundant Milk Supply
• Restore Blood Lost During Labor
• Increase Energy Levels

Your placenta is full of hormones and nutrients which can make your transition into motherhood smoother.

Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone: Contributes to mammary gland development in preparation for lactation; stabilizes postpartum mood; regulates post-birth uterine cramping; decreases depression; normalizes and stimulates libido.

Prolactin: Promotes lactation; increases milk supply; enhances the mothering instinct.

Oxytocin: Decreases pain and increases bonding in mother and infant; counteracts the production of stress hormones such as Cortisol; greatly reduces postpartum bleeding; enhances the breastfeeding let-down reflex.

Placental Opioid-Enhancing Factor (POEF): Stimulates the production of your body’s natural opioids, including endorphins; reduces pain; increases well-being.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone: Regulates the thyroid gland; boosts energy and supports recovery from stressful events.

Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH): Low levels of CRH are implicated in postpartum depression. Regulation of CRH helps prevent depression.

Cortisone: Reduces inflammation and swelling; promotes healing.

Interferon: Triggers the protective defenses of the immune system to fight infection.

Prostaglandins: Regulates contractions in the uterus after birth; helps uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size. Anti-inflammatory effects.

Iron: Replenishes maternal iron stores to combat anemia, a common postpartum condition. Increases energy; decreases fatigue and depression.

Hemoglobin: Oxygen-carrying molecule which provides a boost in energy.

Urokinase Inhibiting Factor and Factor XIII: stops bleeding and enhances wound healing.

Immunoglobulin G (IgG): Antibody molecules which support the immune system.

Human Placental Lactogen (hPL): This hormone has lactogenic and growth-promoting properties; promotes mammary gland growth in preparation for lactation in the mother. It also regulates maternal glucose, protein, and fat levels.

I offer placenta encapsulation as an additional service for both my own clients and other mamas who contact me in advance to get on my calendar.  All hospitals will dispose of your placenta immediately after your birth, so if you are planning to have this done you MUST tell me before I leave your birth so I can arrange with the staff to have you sign a form to release your placenta to me.

A LITTLE INSURANCE GOES A LONG WAY!

If you are undecided, allow me to take your placenta home with me just in case so I can label it and freeze it for you for a while.  If you experience mild postpartum depression or low milk supply, I can always thaw it out and prepare your happy pills later.