Placenta Encapsulation

I first heard of placenta encapsulation two and a half years ago during my first pregnancy and I was completely taken aback by the thought of it. How gross! But I came across the topic again during my second pregnancy and I was very intrigued. Maybe because I'd had time to process it and maybe because reading up on it I'd learned more about it and decided it really might be helpful.

I'd learned that all mammals eat their placenta - and we are mammals too. We're the only ones that don't. Could it be that we're missing out on something? I think so.

Although there haven't been many studies done on the topic, there has been research that has shown that it does help increase milk supply.

The rest of the evidence is anecdotal where moms that have done it attest that it:

*Increases 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 insomnia or sleep disorders

I read enough moms swearing by it that I figured it was worth doing. Anything that would help with my milk supply and help me have more energy AND was totally natural with no side effects had to be something that I wanted to try. My doula dehydrated it and ground it up and put it into capsule form. She had them ready 2 days after I delivered and I started taking them immediately. Compared to my first birth (where I hadn't done this) I was amazed how great I felt after my daughter was born - maybe it was the placebo effect, I don't know - but even my husband was surprised that I seemed to be in a good mood and had lots of energy even though I was now taking care of two under 2! I would totally do this again and recommend it to all my friends. It's just capsules and it doesn't taste like anything.

In the last few years, my doula's business has been growing with the increase in popularity and I'm so glad celebrities like January Jones (from Mad Men) are endorsing it so people become more aware.

January Jones' Advice to New Moms: Eat Your Placenta as Vitamins

celebrity-gossip.net

January Jones talks about how she keeps up her energy during a crazy filming schedule for "Mad Men".

If you're interested in doing this, just make sure your birth team (OB, midwife, nursing staff, doula, etc) is aware and that you remind them when you deliver the baby.  In South Florida, my doula Lorie McCoy from Amazing Births will gladly pick up your placenta after the birth, dehydrate it, encapsulate it and bring it back to you within a couple of days. You can contact her for more information here:

Lorie McCoy
http://amazingbirthsandbeyond.com/
561-988-5351
Lorie@amazingbirthsandbeyond.com

Placental Services:
http://amazingbirthsandbeyond.wordpress.com/placental-services/