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Placenta Encapsulation Instructions w/ Pictures
- Feb 21, 2010 at 1:19 AM
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- Comments (186) Total Views (167719) Everyone can see this journal post.
I've had several inquiries on the process of encapsulation. I figured it would be best if I made a separate post with instructions for those who plan to do it. It's really quite simple!
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Decrease in baby blues and postpartum depression.
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Increase and enrich breastmilk.
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Increase in energy.
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Decrease in lochia, postpartum bleeding.
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Decrease iron deficiency.
- Decrease insomnia or sleep disorders.
- Decreases postpartum "night sweats".
The placenta's hormonal make-up is completely unique to the mother. No prescription, vitamin or herbal supplement can do what one placenta pill can. How amazing is that?
The theory is you are replacing the hormones you lost during the birthing process. Each woman's placenta is unique to her hormonal make-up. Also the first born male placenta is the most enriched.
Supplies Needed:
Gloves
Steamer for stove top
Fresh ginger and lemon
Cutting Board, I recommend disposable cutting boards from Cut N Toss
Knife
Capsules, 150-200
Dehydrator, I use a Nesco American Harvest
Food Processor or Coffee Grinder
Sanitizer and bleach
1. First take placenta, place in colander in sink. Rinse under cold water removing and blood clots.
2. Place on cutting board and severe cord at base. It may bleed a little bit. If you prefer to to the raw method you would thinly slice the placenta after you have cleaned it. Laying the slices on dehydrator trays(or in the oven), keeping the temp below 118F to preserve maximum nutrients and keep enzymes intact.
Placenta Love
2. If you are steaming it on the stove, wrap placenta membrane fetal side around placenta into a ball. Place lemon & ginger in water in steamer. Put placenta in steam basket and cover. Steam on medium for about 15mins on *each side*. Bleed whiling steaming. Slice up placenta into thin strips at this point. If you are using a low oven to dehydrate your placenta, set oven to lowest temp. It takes 6-8hrs to dehydrate depending on method used.
Bleeding the steamed placenta
Steamed sliced placenta. Try to keep all strips uniform in thickness and length so they dehydrate evenly. I would then cut these in half again. Slice as thinly as possible.
3. Preparing dehydrator, lining trays with wax paper for easier clean up. Place in dehydrator for about 6-8hrs.
My dehydrator, Nesco American Harvest. 
Dehyrated Placenta Strips. Anyone for placenta jerky? ;O) Make sure you break this up to smaller pieces so the grind easier.
4. Using a strong grinder, grind placenta strips. I hear magic bullet works well. You may need to break dehydrate strips in half prior to grinding. I broke a coffee mill this way and had to "donate" my food processor to the cause. During the grinding process add dried herbs if desired. Per mother's request I will add one of the 3 herb blends I offer; "Mood Boost", "Iron Boost" or "Milk Boost". The blends have 3-4 herbs in them. I call placenta powder that has been blended with herbs "Power Placenta Pills", they pack a punch! I add about 1/4 weight of herbs of the total placenta volume. A little goes a long way :O)
I would also encourage you if you to try the herbs prenatally individually to make sure you dont have any adverse reactions to them prior to adding them to your placenta powder. Otherwise you may end up wasting your placenta pills if you had herbs to them that cause an adverse reaction - that would be a bummer!
5. Fill capsules. One placenta will yield *about 125-175 capsules*. You can use The Capsule Machine or Cap M Quik, it can be done by hand. I use capsule size "00". There are smaller size capsules available. The picture to the top is just placenta powder and herbs blended together.
The picture below is placenta powder blended with herbs.
6. Store capsules in refrigerator, they will keep indefinitely. How many to take in the PP period depends on the mother and her needs. I recommend 3 capsules twice a day for two weeks. If mom has a history of PPD I recommend 3 capsules three times a day for a full two weeks. The following week she can cut back her capsules to once a day or two capsules twice a day.
If mom is feeling run down, fatigued, low supply or emotionally fragile increase dosage. You can always take more a few months down the road if you need a "pick me up".
Containers they are stored in with instructions and benefits listed
7. Sanitize everything once while at mom's house. Spray with bleach solution and soak in hot water. Soak again in bleach solution and boiling water when you return home overnight and then run through dishwasher. I spray everything with a bleach solution and a Simple Green disinfectant cleaner. Make sure you spray work surface area too. You can lay out old newspapers, card board or a large garbage bag under work surface to help minimize clean up.
Where to find an "Placenta Encapsulator"
placentanetwork.com
placentabakery.com
Google Maps Placenta Directory
Placenta Benefits Specialists
International Directory
Also email doulas and homebirth midwives in your area to ask if they offer this service or know someone who does.
To offer Placenta Encapsulation as a service its not regulated you take a training course, belong to an organization or be listed in a directory.
HOPE THAT HELPS!!!
Cindy
EuphoricBirthServices.com
Euphoric.co
Comments:
Awesome info! Thank you!
I never considered doing it, but then my DH almost passed out after my midwife showed up mine after the birth of our oldest. I found it facinating, but my DH told our MW to hide them from him that he didn't want to see it, LOL. He can assist in the delivery of our children but not see a placenta...MEN!
Tiff, men are silly! They could gut a fish and skin a deer without batting an eyelash but something so simple as a placenta could send them running for the hills! LMAO
Actually the fathers of the women that I do this for are usually really fascinated and stand in the kitchen observing and asking questions....a few feet back of course ;O)
No joke, my husband almost fainted like he was a Southern belle in a tight corset when he first saw my placenta.
Thanks for the answers to my question. I appreciate it and now wish I were able to have another child so that I could experience this...
...though it would totally freak my husband out. *giggle*
I'm so happy someone saw this post and is now looking for someone to do this service for them in Texas. Off to hunt someone down for them.
Awesome information, thank you so much for posting this!!!
Cali, my dh saw mine with my last birth. I have never been allowed to even see mine. He said it looked like a cross between hamburger meat and beef liver. He was like "cool" . I'm very blessed to have such an open minded husband! He knows I plan on encapsulating mine. I may take a few rrl tea bags and open them up, and a few st johns wort capsules I have and empty them in when I do mine. Can I use a traditional bamboo steamer that you buy in the asian food stores? I think those would be less expensive. I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row for doing it right. I know on my last shopping trip before I expect her to make her appearance I will buy a ginger root and some lemons. I know it would probably make more sense to pay someone, but myself and probably my friend that will be at the birth are the only ones that know how to do it. I will see if her and her daughter will help me so we can all get hands on experience doing it so later we can offer that service to clients.
I do wish I had done this.. I had bleeding problems immediatedly with both births (which were very fast- 2 pushes each one, sunnyside up-ouch!!) 10 minute dilation from 3cm to 10!!!, and huge (like placenta sized!!) clots for days after as well... and PPD, I still have health issues, and I wonder if I had consumed the placenta if I would have fibromyalgia today?...food for thought...
Man, I wish I had thought to just ask YOU how to encapsulate after my last birth. Dang. Thanks for putting this info out there mama!
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I had never thought of doing this and had never heard of this. Makes one think about all the wonderful things the body can truly do for its self. Thanks for the post
- Ralphiesmom922
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