February of 2010 I had several firsts. I had my first unassisted home birth. I also did something even more "taboo" than that. A few days after my 6th child was born, I ate my placenta.
Now, with that said, it is not exactly what it seems. I encapsulated it, meaning I sliced it thin and dried it (like jerky). I then ground it up with a few herbs, and then put it into capsules. I wold then take several capsules daily.
Disgusting? To many, yes.
I sure thought so the first time I heard about Placenta Encapsulation. It was a woman here on Cafemom that brought it to my attention. She is a friend of mine on CM and FB. She is a wealth of herbal and pregnancy knowledge that many go to for advice.
The first time I read about PE, I thought I would die! How could anyone even think about doing that! THEN, I began planning my UC. I was already planning everything I needed to do. Everything that I would need to be prepared for. I was doing a lot of study on pregnancy and birth. I had been for years already, but this was 100% real now. I was doing it all alone! My first UC! First time for another birth. I then decided if it was to be a first, I would go off the deep end. Time to study placenta encapsulation.
Why would I even consider it?
To read more, or see pictures, here is my blog post about it:
http://ourbirthjourneys.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-did-it-its-encapsulated-had-to-tell_22.html
Benefits Include:
• Increase general
energy
• Allow a quicker return to health after birth
• Increase production of breast milk
• Decrease likelihood of baby blues and post natal depression
• Decrease likelihood of iron deficiency
• Decrease likelihood of insomnia or sleep disorders
There are a variety
of potential benefits to placentophagy. For one, the placenta contains
vitamins and minerals that may help fight depression symptoms, such as
vitamin B6. For another, the placenta is considered rich in iron and protein,
which would be useful to women recovering from childbirth, and a particular
benefit to vegetarian women.
Research on placentophagy
is still in its infancy, although there is a large body of research beginning
to develop on postpartum hormone fluctuations and health. Researchers
from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conducted a study that focused
on CRH (Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone). CRH is a stress reducer, and
is generally produced by the hypothalamus.
During the last trimester of
pregnancy, the placenta secretes so much CRH that the levels in the bloodstream
increase threefold. However, it was also discovered that postpartum women
have lower than average levels of CRH, triggering depressive symptoms.(1)
They concluded that the placenta secreted so much CRH that the hypothalamus
stopped producing it. Once the placenta was born, it took some time for
the hypothalamus to get the signal that the CRH levels were low, and to
begin producing it again. This is just another sign that there is likely
a biological cause for the baby blues, directly related to hormone levels.
Interestingly
enough, in 1954, researchers conducted a study on 210 women who were expected
to have insufficient milk supply. They gave dried placenta to the women,
and discovered that 86% of them had a positive increase in their milk
production within a matter of days.
http://www.ocdoulas.com/placenta_encapsulation_services.htm
http://placentamom.weebly.com/
Amazingly enough, I now offer placenta encapsulation and tincture services to other women as a part of one of my jobs.
What I say on my site...
I was supposed to encapsule mine but the OB threw mine out. Grrrr. My midwife was busy making sure my shaking stopped when it happened.
Wash it, slice it thin, dehydrate it. When completely dry (NO moisture or it will mold), grind it in a food processor. I use a Cap-M-Quik capsule make to then put them into 00 sized capsules. They keep in the freezer forever.
Quoting sandra_t00:
I would like to do that. Who do I have to talk to about that? My OBGYN right? and how would I do it? is there a kit I have to buy or something? lol
That is incredibly interesting! Thanks for sharing. I wish I would have known about this when my twins were born!
A woman who used to attend my playgroup did that. She said it really helped with her milk supply.
even with all the benefits u listed its still too weird for me! but kudos to you for doin it!
Do you ever get hit on even looking a mess?
Why inflict this silly cosmetic pain on a baby!?!
- kcangel63
on Jun. 20, 2012 at 10:17 PM