Placenta Encapsulation
Do You Have the Proper Nutrients for After Birth Care?
A lot of us suffer from fatigue as new moms, deal with some hair loss, and even struggle with breast milk production and baby blues...a big reason for this is the hormonal imbalance that comes with childbirth. The placenta has nurtured your baby throughout the entire pregnancy and birth, and is filled with iron, protein, vitamins, and essential hormones that could be used by you to replenish what has been lost in your body. Unfortunately, this organ ends up in the garbage more often than not.
Information is key here and most mammals instinctually DO eat their placenta right after birth but for some reason with us....it is not so common. Luckily, we have come up with several ways to ingest your own placenta without having to barbarically eat it raw. One of which is: dehydrating and encapsulating your placenta then taking the capsules with liquid like you would your prenatal vitamins...another way is to extract all of the nutrients out of your placenta and then creating a tincture...all you'd need to do is add a few drops to liquid and reap the benefits!
Placenta Wise has a great way of explaining the benefits of ingesting your own placenta followed by an informative Q & A. I have added it here for your convenience:
In our culture, we do not routinely consume organ meats. Organs such as the liver, the heart, and the pancreas are considered delicacies in many other cultures because of the high nutritive value of organ meat. Americans are typically repulsed by the thought of consuming any type of organ meat, but it is as you speculated, a product of our cultural upbringing. Many things about birth in our country are disrespected and misunderstood. The placenta is treated as medical waste in American birth rooms. In other parts of the world, the placenta is revered and would never be treated with disrespect. It is one of the most nutrient rich organs with many healing and restorative benefits.
The placenta can be ingested, buried, or wrapped and left attached to the baby until it naturally sloughs off, lotus birth. For thousands of years, midwives would cut off a piece of the placenta and give it to a hemorrhaging mother to stop the bleeding and save her life. (The hormones in the placenta caused the uterus to contract and stop the mother from bleeding out in minutes.) Many homebirth midwives still use this method today.
Here are some common frequently asked questions that I've listed here and if you have any other questions please feel free to call us if you want to know more!
A lot of us suffer from fatigue as new moms, deal with some hair loss, and even struggle with breast milk production and baby blues...a big reason for this is the hormonal imbalance that comes with childbirth. The placenta has nurtured your baby throughout the entire pregnancy and birth, and is filled with iron, protein, vitamins, and essential hormones that could be used by you to replenish what has been lost in your body. Unfortunately, this organ ends up in the garbage more often than not.
Information is key here and most mammals instinctually DO eat their placenta right after birth but for some reason with us....it is not so common. Luckily, we have come up with several ways to ingest your own placenta without having to barbarically eat it raw. One of which is: dehydrating and encapsulating your placenta then taking the capsules with liquid like you would your prenatal vitamins...another way is to extract all of the nutrients out of your placenta and then creating a tincture...all you'd need to do is add a few drops to liquid and reap the benefits!
Placenta Wise has a great way of explaining the benefits of ingesting your own placenta followed by an informative Q & A. I have added it here for your convenience:
In our culture, we do not routinely consume organ meats. Organs such as the liver, the heart, and the pancreas are considered delicacies in many other cultures because of the high nutritive value of organ meat. Americans are typically repulsed by the thought of consuming any type of organ meat, but it is as you speculated, a product of our cultural upbringing. Many things about birth in our country are disrespected and misunderstood. The placenta is treated as medical waste in American birth rooms. In other parts of the world, the placenta is revered and would never be treated with disrespect. It is one of the most nutrient rich organs with many healing and restorative benefits.
The placenta can be ingested, buried, or wrapped and left attached to the baby until it naturally sloughs off, lotus birth. For thousands of years, midwives would cut off a piece of the placenta and give it to a hemorrhaging mother to stop the bleeding and save her life. (The hormones in the placenta caused the uterus to contract and stop the mother from bleeding out in minutes.) Many homebirth midwives still use this method today.
Here are some common frequently asked questions that I've listed here and if you have any other questions please feel free to call us if you want to know more!
F.A.Q
Q: I understand that hormones can be transferred through food such as frozen, treated, or cooked animal products (meat, milk, etc.) Have you ever found anything about the effect of the dehydration process on hormones?
A: Dehydration is a process that removes water from the cells, but leaves everything else including minerals, hormones, proteins etc. behind.
Q: It seems the placenta is made from the baby’s genetic matter (not the mother’s) since it grows from the blastocyst. So, in actuality, the mother is ingesting someone else’s hormones. Does that make a difference? (However, I suppose the iron and other nutrients found in the placenta are taken from the mother’s stores, so I could see it helping to replenish the depletion there.)
A: First of all, remember that the baby itself is made from the DNA, cells, and proteins from the mother’s body. Think of the placenta as a sponge that leaches protein, salt, iron, blood, serotonin, melatonin, oxytocin, and essentially the entire hormonal cocktail from the mother’s body. The placenta is also an endocrine organ, meaning that it produces it’s own hormones. Ingesting the placenta restores all of this back to you. According tothis medical study, ingestion of the placenta produces a natural opioid-analgesia enhancement, essentially acting to increase the mother’s endogenous pain-killers.
Q: Can I have my placenta encapsulated if I had a c-section, epidural, or pitocin during labor?
A: Yes, Yes, and Yes! These interventions have no noticeable effect on your placenta capsules. Epidural anesthesia and pitocin break down very quickly after entering the placenta. Make sure you specify clearly in your birth plan that you will be keeping the placenta, and that it needs to be refrigerated as soon as possible after the birth. Especially after a c-section, you will need to be vigilant about making sure your placenta is treated properly. Dads and doulas, this is your job.
Q: Is it safe to have my placenta encapsulated if I tested positive for Group B Strep (GBS)?
A: Yes. Group B strep is a common bacterium that does not normally pose health risks to the mother. All bacteria in the placenta is killed during the steaming process. Rarely, Group B strep can lead to uterine infection. If you developed a uterine infection or fever during your labor, your placenta would not be considered useful in healing, and would likely be taken to the pathology lab for testing, but otherwise, Group B strep is not contraindicated in placenta remedy preparation.
Q: Can I encapsulate my placenta if my baby passed meconium before birth?
A: Yes. Meconium is sterile, it does not contain fecal bacteria that normal stool does. Meconium is dangerous for the infant to inhale, but is otherwise harmless. Additionally, your placenta is thoroughly washed before encapsulation preparation.
Q: Can I still have my placenta encapsulated if I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia?
A: Placenta encapsulation is not contraindicated for moms with Pre-eclampsia. Many women who’ve had pre-eclampsia have very successfully used Placenta Pills. No one fully understands pre-e or exactly how to prevent it, and although the placenta does seem to play a part, it is not usually unfit for consumption. After the birth, your placenta will be examined for irregularities and problems. Most of the time, the placenta is completely fine and you should have no problem having it released for encapsulation. If your care provider diagnoses a problem or infection in the placenta, it will be sent to pathology and you won’t be able to take it home.
Q: Will the Hospital release my placenta?
A: Most hospitals are fairly easy to work with when it comes to having the placenta released, however you will need to let them know before the birth that you are keeping your placenta. A birth plan is the best way to do this. After delivery, you will have to sign a release form or waiver. Once the placenta has been inspected and determined healthy, you can ask the nurses to double bag it in Ziploc bags brought from home and place it in the hospital refrigerator. If they will not bag the placenta, it is ok to store it in the hospital’s preferred container. If you have any of the following diseases, the hospital will not release your placenta: HIV, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Hep B or C.
Q: What if the doctor wants to take my placenta to pathology?
A: If the placenta needs to be taken to pathology ask if they can cut a small piece to examine instead of taking the whole placenta. If they insist on taking the whole placenta, you will not be able to have your placenta encapsulated.
Q: When is the placenta prepared?
A: Ideally, the placenta preparation should take place as soon as possible after the birth, within the first 48 – 72 hours. Directly after the birth, the placenta should be placed in an enclosed container (the hospital will put it in a plastic container or Ziploc bags), and then in the refrigerator until you can get it to me. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. If you know ahead of time that it will not be prepared within that time frame, it is best to place it straight into the freezer
Q: I have twins and will deliver two placentas. Can I have both of them encapsulated, and what would be the cost?
A: In the case of twins, we will process the placentas together. The cost for multiple placentas from the same mother is $300.
Q: I was told my placenta was “abnormal”. How do I know if it is safe to ingest?
A: Your placenta is as unique as your fingerprints. No two placentas are the same, as each one is specifically made by and for your baby and your body. Sometimes a placenta can be very unique; an unusual shape or size, extra lobes, etc. But “unique” does not mean “unhealthy”. The only situations in which a placenta wouldn’t be safe to consume is if you developed an infection during labor (remember, being GBS positive does NOT automatically mean you have an infection), if the placenta was taken to pathology, if it was not refrigerated properly after the birth, or if you have HIV, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Hep B or C. Calcification of the placenta is normal and does not preclude encapsulation.
Q: How many capsules should I be taking?
A: You will want to self-regulate your dosage based on how you are feeling on any given day. The basic guidelines are as follows. Days 1 – 3 after receiving your placenta: Take two capsules three times per day (six total), with meals. Days 4 – 14: Take two capsules twice per day (four total), with meals. Days 14 and beyond: Take two capsules daily with a meal until you run out, or until you don’t feel you need them anymore. You can save any remaining capsules for low milk supply, PMS, depression, mood-swings, and even menopause. However, if six capsules feel like too many for you, or if two doesn’t feel like enough, adjust your dosage accordingly.
Q: How do I store my Placenta Capsules?
A: You should store your capsules in an airtight container in the freezer. If you move, make sure to keep your capsules cool and dry until you can get them back in the freezer. Stored properly, your capsules will last many many years.
Q: On average, how many capsules can I expect to receive?
A: That depends on the size of the placenta. A small placenta will yield around 90 – 100 capsules. A very large placenta can produce up to 175 or even more. On average you can expect around 125 – 150 capsules. Generally speaking, big babies have big placentas and small babies have small placentas.
Q: What do you do with the amniotic sac and the umbilical cord?
A: The amniotic sack is cleaned and dehydrated along with the placenta. The umbilical cord is dried in a heart or spiral shape and given to you in an organza bag as a birth keepsake.
Q: What if I have a disease such as HIV, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Chlamydia or Hepatitis B, or C?
A: For your safety and the safety of others, we will not be able to process your placenta if you have any of the above diseases. If you have any of these diseases the hospital will not release your placenta to you.
Q: Do the benefits of the Placenta diminish if pregnancy lasts longer than 40 weeks? If so, at what week would you recommend canceling the Placenta Encapsulation process?
A: I have encapsulated many placentas from mamas who carried to 41, 42, and even 43 weeks. I haven’t noticed a difference in the health of the placenta as gestation increases, however sometimes the amniotic sac will be very very soft, due to the increased relaxin as pregnancy progresses. Occasionally I will notice some calcification, but that happens in 38-40 week placentas too and doesn’t affect your capsules at all.
A: Dehydration is a process that removes water from the cells, but leaves everything else including minerals, hormones, proteins etc. behind.
Q: It seems the placenta is made from the baby’s genetic matter (not the mother’s) since it grows from the blastocyst. So, in actuality, the mother is ingesting someone else’s hormones. Does that make a difference? (However, I suppose the iron and other nutrients found in the placenta are taken from the mother’s stores, so I could see it helping to replenish the depletion there.)
A: First of all, remember that the baby itself is made from the DNA, cells, and proteins from the mother’s body. Think of the placenta as a sponge that leaches protein, salt, iron, blood, serotonin, melatonin, oxytocin, and essentially the entire hormonal cocktail from the mother’s body. The placenta is also an endocrine organ, meaning that it produces it’s own hormones. Ingesting the placenta restores all of this back to you. According tothis medical study, ingestion of the placenta produces a natural opioid-analgesia enhancement, essentially acting to increase the mother’s endogenous pain-killers.
Q: Can I have my placenta encapsulated if I had a c-section, epidural, or pitocin during labor?
A: Yes, Yes, and Yes! These interventions have no noticeable effect on your placenta capsules. Epidural anesthesia and pitocin break down very quickly after entering the placenta. Make sure you specify clearly in your birth plan that you will be keeping the placenta, and that it needs to be refrigerated as soon as possible after the birth. Especially after a c-section, you will need to be vigilant about making sure your placenta is treated properly. Dads and doulas, this is your job.
Q: Is it safe to have my placenta encapsulated if I tested positive for Group B Strep (GBS)?
A: Yes. Group B strep is a common bacterium that does not normally pose health risks to the mother. All bacteria in the placenta is killed during the steaming process. Rarely, Group B strep can lead to uterine infection. If you developed a uterine infection or fever during your labor, your placenta would not be considered useful in healing, and would likely be taken to the pathology lab for testing, but otherwise, Group B strep is not contraindicated in placenta remedy preparation.
Q: Can I encapsulate my placenta if my baby passed meconium before birth?
A: Yes. Meconium is sterile, it does not contain fecal bacteria that normal stool does. Meconium is dangerous for the infant to inhale, but is otherwise harmless. Additionally, your placenta is thoroughly washed before encapsulation preparation.
Q: Can I still have my placenta encapsulated if I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia?
A: Placenta encapsulation is not contraindicated for moms with Pre-eclampsia. Many women who’ve had pre-eclampsia have very successfully used Placenta Pills. No one fully understands pre-e or exactly how to prevent it, and although the placenta does seem to play a part, it is not usually unfit for consumption. After the birth, your placenta will be examined for irregularities and problems. Most of the time, the placenta is completely fine and you should have no problem having it released for encapsulation. If your care provider diagnoses a problem or infection in the placenta, it will be sent to pathology and you won’t be able to take it home.
Q: Will the Hospital release my placenta?
A: Most hospitals are fairly easy to work with when it comes to having the placenta released, however you will need to let them know before the birth that you are keeping your placenta. A birth plan is the best way to do this. After delivery, you will have to sign a release form or waiver. Once the placenta has been inspected and determined healthy, you can ask the nurses to double bag it in Ziploc bags brought from home and place it in the hospital refrigerator. If they will not bag the placenta, it is ok to store it in the hospital’s preferred container. If you have any of the following diseases, the hospital will not release your placenta: HIV, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Hep B or C.
Q: What if the doctor wants to take my placenta to pathology?
A: If the placenta needs to be taken to pathology ask if they can cut a small piece to examine instead of taking the whole placenta. If they insist on taking the whole placenta, you will not be able to have your placenta encapsulated.
Q: When is the placenta prepared?
A: Ideally, the placenta preparation should take place as soon as possible after the birth, within the first 48 – 72 hours. Directly after the birth, the placenta should be placed in an enclosed container (the hospital will put it in a plastic container or Ziploc bags), and then in the refrigerator until you can get it to me. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. If you know ahead of time that it will not be prepared within that time frame, it is best to place it straight into the freezer
Q: I have twins and will deliver two placentas. Can I have both of them encapsulated, and what would be the cost?
A: In the case of twins, we will process the placentas together. The cost for multiple placentas from the same mother is $300.
Q: I was told my placenta was “abnormal”. How do I know if it is safe to ingest?
A: Your placenta is as unique as your fingerprints. No two placentas are the same, as each one is specifically made by and for your baby and your body. Sometimes a placenta can be very unique; an unusual shape or size, extra lobes, etc. But “unique” does not mean “unhealthy”. The only situations in which a placenta wouldn’t be safe to consume is if you developed an infection during labor (remember, being GBS positive does NOT automatically mean you have an infection), if the placenta was taken to pathology, if it was not refrigerated properly after the birth, or if you have HIV, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Hep B or C. Calcification of the placenta is normal and does not preclude encapsulation.
Q: How many capsules should I be taking?
A: You will want to self-regulate your dosage based on how you are feeling on any given day. The basic guidelines are as follows. Days 1 – 3 after receiving your placenta: Take two capsules three times per day (six total), with meals. Days 4 – 14: Take two capsules twice per day (four total), with meals. Days 14 and beyond: Take two capsules daily with a meal until you run out, or until you don’t feel you need them anymore. You can save any remaining capsules for low milk supply, PMS, depression, mood-swings, and even menopause. However, if six capsules feel like too many for you, or if two doesn’t feel like enough, adjust your dosage accordingly.
Q: How do I store my Placenta Capsules?
A: You should store your capsules in an airtight container in the freezer. If you move, make sure to keep your capsules cool and dry until you can get them back in the freezer. Stored properly, your capsules will last many many years.
Q: On average, how many capsules can I expect to receive?
A: That depends on the size of the placenta. A small placenta will yield around 90 – 100 capsules. A very large placenta can produce up to 175 or even more. On average you can expect around 125 – 150 capsules. Generally speaking, big babies have big placentas and small babies have small placentas.
Q: What do you do with the amniotic sac and the umbilical cord?
A: The amniotic sack is cleaned and dehydrated along with the placenta. The umbilical cord is dried in a heart or spiral shape and given to you in an organza bag as a birth keepsake.
Q: What if I have a disease such as HIV, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Chlamydia or Hepatitis B, or C?
A: For your safety and the safety of others, we will not be able to process your placenta if you have any of the above diseases. If you have any of these diseases the hospital will not release your placenta to you.
Q: Do the benefits of the Placenta diminish if pregnancy lasts longer than 40 weeks? If so, at what week would you recommend canceling the Placenta Encapsulation process?
A: I have encapsulated many placentas from mamas who carried to 41, 42, and even 43 weeks. I haven’t noticed a difference in the health of the placenta as gestation increases, however sometimes the amniotic sac will be very very soft, due to the increased relaxin as pregnancy progresses. Occasionally I will notice some calcification, but that happens in 38-40 week placentas too and doesn’t affect your capsules at all.
Encapsulate your own placenta; encapsulation service. Includes pick up and drop-off. Los Angeles residents only.
100-135 capsules depending on size of your placenta
Once you place your order, I will contact you within 24 hours to schedule a visit in your home to go over the birthing day protocol. if you have questions before you place your order, please contact me by clicking here and I am happy to set up a free consultation.
~This is the RAW method of preparation; placenta is sliced, dehydrated and ground into a powder for the capsules. Raw food activists believe that steaming the placenta destroys some of the essential nutrients. Using this option provides a burst of energy upfront and great hormone stabilization.
This services includes prenatal meet & greet, pick-up and drop off of your placenta, encapsulation and cord keepsake.
100-135 capsules depending on size of your placenta
Once you place your order, I will contact you within 24 hours to schedule a visit in your home to go over the birthing day protocol. if you have questions before you place your order, please contact me by clicking here and I am happy to set up a free consultation.
~This is the RAW method of preparation; placenta is sliced, dehydrated and ground into a powder for the capsules. Raw food activists believe that steaming the placenta destroys some of the essential nutrients. Using this option provides a burst of energy upfront and great hormone stabilization.
This services includes prenatal meet & greet, pick-up and drop off of your placenta, encapsulation and cord keepsake.
Placenta Tincture
Turn your own placenta into a tincture; placenta tincturing service. Allow 6-8 weeks for all nutrients to be extracted from your placenta. Los Angeles residents only. 6 ounces
Cost is only $35 if added to placenta encapsulation service
~Placenta tincture is an added bonus in that it can be used in addition to and long after the capsules are gone. By tincturing a small piece of the placenta in a high grade alcohol, you can prolong the benefits of your placental hormones. The tincture can be used in any time of trauma, transition, emotional distress and during menopause and ease your symptoms. It is recommended you allow the placenta to steep for at least six – eight weeks before use. The tincture is very shelf-stable if kept in a cool dark place such as a cupboard, and will last for many, many years. Dosage is 7 – 10 drops of tincture in a full glass of juice. At this dilution, the alcohol has no intoxicating effects. It is less alcohol than cough medicine contains. If you prefer to reduce the alcohol even further, you can place the drops in a cup of boiling tea, “burning” off the alcohol, then cooling before ingesting.
Cost is only $35 if added to placenta encapsulation service
~Placenta tincture is an added bonus in that it can be used in addition to and long after the capsules are gone. By tincturing a small piece of the placenta in a high grade alcohol, you can prolong the benefits of your placental hormones. The tincture can be used in any time of trauma, transition, emotional distress and during menopause and ease your symptoms. It is recommended you allow the placenta to steep for at least six – eight weeks before use. The tincture is very shelf-stable if kept in a cool dark place such as a cupboard, and will last for many, many years. Dosage is 7 – 10 drops of tincture in a full glass of juice. At this dilution, the alcohol has no intoxicating effects. It is less alcohol than cough medicine contains. If you prefer to reduce the alcohol even further, you can place the drops in a cup of boiling tea, “burning” off the alcohol, then cooling before ingesting.