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Placenta Encapsulation
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post #1 of 53
12/14/12 at 5:39am
Thread Starter 

Can anyone share your experience (or links to reputable resources) with this topic?  It's not something I was even aware of with DS, but something I'm very interested in now that I'm aware and planning to ask my MW about when I see her next.  

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post #2 of 53
12/14/12 at 9:45am
lurk.gif

Would love to do this, but it really squicks DH out so he doesn't think I should. Subbing!
post #3 of 53
12/14/12 at 1:36pm

I had this done after my daughter was born.  I have seasonal affective disorder and wasn't sure that that wouldn't make me more susceptible to postpartum depression so felt that doing it couldn't hurt!  Honestly, once it's in capsules it's not any different then taking any other pill.  I'll do it again this time. 

 

Interestingly enough the woman who did it gave us the dehydrated umbilical cord back in an envelope.  I ran across the envelope recently and showed it to my daughter.  She's fascinated by it!  

post #4 of 53
12/14/12 at 2:14pm

I do this for my doula clients, many doulas do it as well so just contact a few local doulas and they can probably help you. It's less common to have midwives do it but if they don't they can usually recommend people. Like Ghislaine said they look like any other vitamin when finished. I always do a print for the family and dry the cord in a heart shape and put the capsules in a pretty jar. It's best to have it encapsulated within 24 hours especially if you choose the raw method versus the chinese medicine way of steaming first. Plus most moms can benefit immediately from it. It can help with regulating hormones, stopping post partum bleeding, give you a boost of energy, and help with milk production. Some people even save some for menopause.

The last few I did I had my husband help (I'm sooooo lucky he's open to the crazy birth stuff) so I could teach him to do mine. I know I won't want to do it and its usually around $150-$200 but some people do trades and a discount.

There are tutorials online if you can get your husband or a friend to do it. If you are curious you can pm me and I can send you links and materials you'll need.

I think its a great idea for mamas. A little extra help and the placenta is medicine made for your body.

post #5 of 53
12/15/12 at 1:31pm

I wanted to share a few links with you, someone has already pm'd about details on how to do this at home and I thought I would give a little more info here.

This site had research on placenta medicine and breaks down in this first page exactly why it is beneficial and which hormones help with what http://www.placentabakery.com/#%21

Then this women wrote a blog post with her personal experience and included a link to my favorite diy tutorial by cafemom http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2011/10/the-benefits-of-placenta-encapsulation-for-postpartum-healing.html

Hope that helps

post #6 of 53
12/16/12 at 7:28am

Yes!  I want to do this but we are short on cash.  I wonder if there is a way to do it at home without a pricey dehydrator?  (I haven't checked the links above yet - will do that!).

post #7 of 53
12/17/12 at 7:13am
Thread Starter 

Thanks everybody for the info and tips!  I will be asking our MW at our next appointment tomorrow.  If she doesn't do it then I'll start with our doulas, we know two who helped us with DS' birth.  Appreciate the info on DIY too, if we weren't already spending so much out of pocket for the home birth I'd try to sell DH on the idea of finally getting a dehydrator as I want one for food use anyway.  Ha.

post #8 of 53
12/17/12 at 9:21am

I encapsulate placentas! I got started rather by accident when I was at my friends' unassisted birth and she wanted me to do it for her. We found a recipe and the rest is history. It's really easy to DIY... I do recommend getting a few supplies to make it easier though. You can buy a dehydrator at walmart or similar for around $25. If you don't have this, you can set up a drying rack on top of a  pan with edges (this helps to dry all sides at the same time). Slice your placenta as thinly as possibly and dehydrate at 150 (or as low as possible) with the door propped open with a wooden spoon. Grind them up either with a motar and pestle or a coffee grinder and buy a Capsule Machine http://www.amazon.com/Capsule-Machine-fill-%25201c00%25201c-capsules/dp/B006OQ4316/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1355764633&sr=1-1&keywords=the+capsule+machine+00 and some size 00 capsules.

 

To do the raw method, just slice the placenta raw and pop it in the dehydrator or oven. To do the traditional chineese method, you steam the placenta first with a few slices of lemon, ginger and hot pepper (in the water or on the placenta). Steam each side for 5-10 minutes or until the juices run clear. Cool enough to handle and slice and dehydrate. 

 

If anyone has other questions, please let me know, I'm happy to help!! I think it's so great to consume your placenta!

 

You can also try it raw in smoothies and making a tincture (tincture can also be used to make a homeopathic remedy)... This would be the cheapest option for immediate and future use.  I'll post those recipes if there's interest too! Raw smoothies sound gross for most people, at least to begin with, but I PROMISE YOU, EVERY woman I have made a smoothie for LOVES it, and says it's the best smoothie they've EVER had. I think there's something about our physiology post birth that craves and loves what the placenta gives us!

post #9 of 53
12/18/12 at 8:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pastormama View Post

Yes!  I want to do this but we are short on cash.  I wonder if there is a way to do it at home without a pricey dehydrator?  (I haven't checked the links above yet - will do that!).

 

Hopping over from the end of April...I have done my last 2 by myself, and it only cost me $6 each time (the price of the bag of capsules).  I dehydrated in my oven each time.  The first time I didn't even use an encapsulator, just filled them with a straw!

post #10 of 53
12/19/12 at 6:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1babysmom View Post

 

Hopping over from the end of April...I have done my last 2 by myself, and it only cost me $6 each time (the price of the bag of capsules).  I dehydrated in my oven each time.  The first time I didn't even use an encapsulator, just filled them with a straw!

It's totally possible to do it without the encapsulator, but it takes MUCH longer! I can grind and encapsulate a placenta in about 45 minutes.. It would take hours otherwise (according to friends who have done this way). How long did it take you 1babysmom?

post #11 of 53
12/19/12 at 6:37am

It actually wasn't nearly as long as I'd thought.  I did about 120 capsules over maybe 2 hours max (that wasn't in one sitting, obviously, with a tiny little nursling...just did a handful here and there, and included the grinding process).  Yes, it's absolutely faster with my encapsulator, but just wanted to offer encouragement that there are definitely alternatives to having to purchase equipment for the process! :)

post #12 of 53
12/19/12 at 6:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1babysmom View Post

It actually wasn't nearly as long as I'd thought.  I did about 120 capsules over maybe 2 hours max (that wasn't in one sitting, obviously, with a tiny little nursling...just did a handful here and there, and included the grinding process).  Yes, it's absolutely faster with my encapsulator, but just wanted to offer encouragement that there are definitely alternatives to having to purchase equipment for the process! :)

The last placenta I did was about 250 capsules and it took me about an hour to do with the capsule machine! A friend of mine said it took her about 4 hours to get it done by hand... over a few days because she had 2 littles plus her newborn. If you have some friends near by interested, maybe you can all pitch in to buy the encapsulator and share it (did that!)- it's only about $15.

post #13 of 53
12/19/12 at 6:51am

I'm not trying to argue or anything!  I absolutely agree that it's faster!  Just wanted to offer an alternative, because it's totally doable! (I filled larger capsules that first time, which is why I didn't have as many as I get with an encapsulator and 00 caps) 

post #14 of 53
12/19/12 at 8:24am
Not arguing either! smile.gif
post #15 of 53
12/19/12 at 10:04am
It is encouraging to hear how easy it can be. Last time around, we paid someone about $150 and we had to drive almost an hour with a 8 hour old baby to get the placenta to her. I won't be doing that again!
I do have a dehydrator. I wonder if it smells like liver dehydrating?

Could I freeze the placenta and dehydrate it like after a week or so when I'm not so exhausted? Or would I lose a lot of the value that way?
post #16 of 53
12/19/12 at 3:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BeagleMommy View Post

 I wonder if it smells like liver dehydrating?
Could I freeze the placenta and dehydrate it like after a week or so when I'm not so exhausted? Or would I lose a lot of the value that way?

It does have a distinct smell.. I haven't had liver since I was like 5 though so I don't have anything for comparison. It smells meaty and rich.

 

I think the placenta is super helpful right after birth, and it will have the most potent hormones and nutrition then. You could try a smoothie or two right after birth and then freeze the rest of it until a week later and dehydrate it then (thaw it in the fridge, not on the counter/sink/microwave). Alternately, maybe there's a friend who will help you with it right away? I can email you my instructions page if that would help. Otherwise, if nothing else then just freeze it for encapsulation later like you said. It's better than nothing!

post #17 of 53
12/19/12 at 5:57pm

Our midwife practice offers it; it's $200. We'll probably be able to afford it, but the raw smoothie option sounds interesting to me.

 

Do you need a really good blender, I'd imagine, to chop it up super fine? What fruits/veggies/liquids do you use in combination? And really, people don't gag? I'd hate to waste it if I couldn't drink it. I'd probably have to sneak it so my hubby wouldn't freak; he's okay with the encapsulation because it's so yuck-free,  but he might just not be able to take me literally eating my own raw placenta  :)

post #18 of 53
12/19/12 at 10:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by OtherMother View Post

Our midwife practice offers it; it's $200. We'll probably be able to afford it, but the raw smoothie option sounds interesting to me.

 

Do you need a really good blender, I'd imagine, to chop it up super fine? What fruits/veggies/liquids do you use in combination? And really, people don't gag? I'd hate to waste it if I couldn't drink it. I'd probably have to sneak it so my hubby wouldn't freak; he's okay with the encapsulation because it's so yuck-free,  but he might just not be able to take me literally eating my own raw placenta  :)

I just copied and pasted this from my placenta smoothie handout: I've just used whatever blender they had.. nothing special. Just make sure to blend it thoroughly. Ice is harder to blend than placenta, which is soft and sorta squishy. I watched a client's husband make her smoothie with and entire QUARTER of her placenta and she LOVED it. According to moms I know who have had a smoothie, it just tastes like a really delicious fruit smoothie :) If you want it sweeter, add some honey.

 

 

Recipe for Raw Placenta Smoothie:

This recipe gives a new mother an enjoyable post-birth revitalising fruit drink packed with her body’s own uniquely designed healing nutrients AND IT TASTES GREAT! (Feel free to change the ingredients if one of them does not appeal to your palate!)



  • approximately 3 inch round piece of raw placenta (or larger)
  • 1 C Orange juice (or a few spoonfuls of orange juice concentrate)
  • ½ organic mango
  • 1 organic banana
  • 2-3 handfuls of organic berries (raspberries, blackberries or strawberries)
  • (optional) Small handful of rehydrated goji berries (soak berries for 5 minutes in boiled water, then drain)

Blend fruits and placenta and add water until smoothie is a blendable/drinkable consistency.
Serve immediately, refrigerate leftovers – must be consumed within 24 hours.
Your smoothie may turn into more of a pudding after refrigeration. This is normal! Use a spoon :)

post #19 of 53
12/20/12 at 10:19am
It bet it would be good blended with V8 and Worcestershire.

Yes, please PM me the instructions. I love saving money!
post #20 of 53
12/20/12 at 10:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BeagleMommy View Post

It bet it would be good blended with V8 and Worcestershire.
Yes, please PM me the instructions. I love saving money!

I have heard of people making it like this too!
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