Anyone else planning on encapsulating their placenta??

[alyadri]

This will be my first time to encapsulate my placenta and I'm really excited to try it.  I know it sounds a little weird but I've struggled with my milk supply through 2 children.  I've read that ingesting your placenta can help with supply issues and lots of other awesome things. 

Will anyone else be doing this??? If you have past experiences, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

[BirthFree]

Absolutely YES!!! I've done it twice and would never not do it. It IS great with milk supply as well as post-partum depression (which is why I do it, mostly... but with me returning to work I will be relying on the milk boost too).

Truly amazing. I grossed out at the thought for a year, then said if I NEEDED it, it would sure be lame to wish I'd done it vs had it 'in case'. Not like you can find something like that at the nearby market.

We are the only mammal that does not routinely ingest the amazing source of nutrients and hormones...

Anyways, yes I am planning on it for absolute sure.

[mamathomas]

YES, YES, YES!!!  My doula did it for me last time and I absolutely plan on having her do it this time around too.  So many wonderful benefits to it!  I was a heavy PP bleeder and the pills also helped immensely with that.  Being my first pregnancy I had nothing else to compare it to other than I felt like I had been hit by a train after giving birth and then noticed a huge increase in energy and general well being after starting the pills.  Not to mention no issues with "baby blues" or milk supply.  I'm also planning on saving a few small pieces of raw placenta to either swallow whole or perhaps blend into a smoothie for an immediate post birth boost! 

[Dandy Lion]

I just don't know yet. The idea is still really new to me, and it seems really gross. I'm open to learning all about it and having it done though.

[mamathomas]

This is a great site for those who want to learn more :)

http://placentabenefits.info/biological.asp 

[BirthFree]

Dandy Lion I can totally relate. No way could I ingest it non-encapsulated unless I was hemmorhaging and it couldn't be controlled at home maybe I'd consider a teeny bite... maybe. But I also have experienced amazing benefits so I'm a believer through and through. And I don't use it unless I need it so it does still seem a little 'insurance policy' ish to me. Best $$ I spent on any mother item. Better than nipple cream, soft cloth pads, nursing bras, etc.

Personally I put it up there with my Doula for importance... for post-baby.

Ok, jabbered enough, sorry.

[JMJ]

I did it last time, and I'm glad I did.  I felt really under control post-birth with it.  Then, my in-laws came into town, and I had to up my dose, but when I did, I handled the stress better.  I was sad to run out.

[mamathomas]

Forgot to add that when DD was about 5-months-old I found myself extremely exhausted and was having dizzy spells.  After a check-up and blood work that were totally normal, I pulled out my leftover placenta pills from the freezer and took those for a week.  I was feeling better again in no time!  They are a truly wonderful thing and like it was mentioned before, I would rather have them and not need them than waste such an amazing resource. 

I'm happy that more and more people seem to be open to the idea of at least educating themselves about the benefits of placentophagy than totally dismissing it.  It makes me so upset when people tell me I'm disgusting or call me a cannibal (actually happened!) when they know nothing at all about it.  Very excited to one day add Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist to my credentials to help spread the good word!     

[Kyamo]

Have there been any actual studies demonstrating effects on bleeding or PPD?  I couldn't find anything, just the argument that most other mammals do it.  

[mamathomas]

http://placentabenefits.info/research.asp 

I'll try to dig up some more later but I'm familiar with this link off the top of my head.  Don't know that I'll come across much more because, unfortunately, there have been no studies on humans to date. 

[JMJ]

Originally Posted by Kyamo 

Have there been any actual studies demonstrating effects on bleeding or PPD?  I couldn't find anything, just the argument that most other mammals do it.  

When I was researching it, I found only anecdotal evidence, no studies.  Anecdotal evidence counts as something, but scientifically speaking, it is the least strong form of evidence.  There is by no means proof of the benefits, but there is a long list of mothers who would line up and tell you that they feel that consuming their placenta was helpful for them.  Placebo effect?  Maybe.  Coincidence?  Possibly.  Dangerous?  Not any more than preparing any other meat, and eating it raw would be safe since all the germs are your own.  'Expensive?  Not if you do it yourself.  I paid about $5-10 in materials and cooking energy.  I decided that with proper food handling measures, the possibility of experiencing benefits outweighed the costs and any potential risks.

My mother had to go on antidepressants postpartum.  I experienced depression throughout my life.  I was concerned about my postpartum period.  I did not experience "baby blues" or any sort of postpartum depression.  Maybe it was just the placebo effect with some added nutrients, but I doubt it.  From everything I have learned about nutrition (organ meats being packed with nutrients) and mental health, I believe it was the nutritional boost that helped me through.  Even it it was just a placebo effect, taking a pill that has no side effects that results in me feeling so in control of my mental state after giving birth, even if it is only because I believe it is helping, is worth it to me.

[cameragirl]

I am thinking about it. I know that in our area, it isn't a huge deal to get the placenta released from the hospital. Our decision would mostly be if we want to do it ourselves, or pay someone to do it.

Speaking of scientific evidence. I know that there isn't information out there about consumption other than anecdotal. However, has there been any analysis done on the nutritional/hormone make up in the placenta that we could look at?

[BirthFree]

There also have been some great articles on the benefits and why, in Midwifery Today. You might try searching there. That's the article that influenced me most.

[cameragirl]

I don't doubt that it works, whether it is real or a placebo effect. Either way, it is replacing some of the lost nutrients. I'd just like to read a little more about the science of it. I think encapsulation makes the idea of placentophagia appealing to a much broader demographic. Most "mainstream" women wouldn't dare to think about frying up the placenta, but would probably try the pills.

[BirthFree]

The Midwifery Today articles are focused to midwives (vs general public) so that's why I mentioned it, I believe there was some facts there. However it has been a few years since I read it, my memory may not serve me the best on that. And personally, I pay someone else, but she is extremely reasonably priced, if she wasn't I'd probably do my own. It's insanely easy, just a few tools and some time.

Happy researching!

[alyadri]

Absolutely, cameragirl! I agree!! I think encapsulation is the only way I'd be able to stomach the idea.  I thought about encapsulating it myself and just the thought of a cooking placenta in my kitchen grossed me out.  To each their own, but I will be hiring someone :-)

I plan on talking about placentophagia openly with my friends this time around - - I know most will be totally grossed out but I think the word needs to be spread.  I just wish there was decent studies so that I'd have something to reference others to.  I'm hoping I'll be able to tell a huge difference in my milk supply after taking the placenta capsules - - then I think I could honestly say "IT WORKS!"
 

Originally Posted by cameragirl 

I don't doubt that it works, whether it is real or a placebo effect. Either way, it is replacing some of the lost nutrients. I'd just like to read a little more about the science of it. I think encapsulation makes the idea of placentophagia appealing to a much broader demographic. Most "mainstream" women wouldn't dare to think about frying up the placenta, but would probably try the pills.

[RachaelsMommy]

I plan on having it done this time. I would have done it last time, but I had a really hard time getting it out. It was seriously harder to push out than the baby. The only way to get it out was to sit on the toilet and push. I ended up peeing on it, so at that point, I was like "No thanks." Probably should have done it anyway b/c I hemorrhaged and looked like a ghost for a week.

[LyndsayMW]

Placenta encapsulation is awesome! I had it done last time- I also had a smoothie directly after the birth (there is a dime sized piece in it, and you can't taste it at all), and I had chocolates made with the powder. I have a little bit of information on my website ( check my profile), adding more always.

[bandyr]

I just did with our third for the first time.  Wow!  What a difference it made.  Would do it again in a heartbeat.  I had so much more energy.  And even though I finished taking them months ago now, I still feel that extra boost.  

SAHM to three homebirth nurslings

[cameragirl]

When I posted about this on the "I'm Pregnant" board, a few women said that the pills had a meaty/iron smell like gamey meat. Did any of you notice that?