Has anyone done placenta encapsulation? What was your experience?
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Huge fan. I encapsulated mine myself (well DH did under my direction) but I'm a doula, so normal people would probably want to hire someone to do it.
My milk came in right away as soon as I started taking it, great supply, have never had any issues since.
I never had any postpartum hair loss either.
It helped with my energy and mood swings too. DH could tell on the days is forgotten it and ask "Did you take your placenta capsules today?" when I was super down and sluggish and weepy.
I highly recommend it!
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I'd love thoughts on this too!
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I did it! I'm glad I did. Never had milk supply issues, helped with my mood and anxiety, gave me a great energy boost. I plan on doing it again for baby #2.
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Thanks ladies! I am planning to do it but I'm doubting myself after my OBGYN called it a "disgusting" practice...
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@Alexandra603: Seriously? I've never heard of an OB reacting that strongly. Most of the ones I talk to say "Eh, I'm not sure if it really does anything but it doesn't hurt either, so whatever floats your boat.", more or less.
I never understood why people find it disgusting. You eat meat, right? An organ is an organ. At least you know exactly what you put into your own body. Meh, didn't bother me at all.
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@Arden - I know, it was a little upsetting! She is concerned about the bacteria.
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@Alexandra603: That makes me wonder if she's researched how it's typically done? I kept the placenta on ice from within half an hour of birth, washed it, steamed it, and then dehydrated it in a food dehydrator. I don't see where any bacteria would come from.
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I considered it, but decided against it.
Good luck with whichever you decide
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@Arden - thank you, that's helpful to hear.
@Hellocupcake - thank you too. I'm interested why it isn't in line with your beliefs? I'm a Christian too and honestly never considered that (there's lots of woman in my church who have done it) so I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts. and yes, I could never consume it it anything but pill form I don't think!!
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@Alexandra603: haha. I tried to delete it before anyone saw because I wasn't sure how to word my opinion. I found this article in a quick search and it sort of reflects what I found at the time I was looking into it:
http://visionarywomanhood.com/eating-the-placenta-a-christian-worldview-perspective/
I don't think I have strong opinions for or against it in regards to what others choose, but the points made were enough to make me decide not to do it.
Ps. Have you read how some women make keepsakes out of the placenta? Or leave it attached to the baby until it falls off naturally? So weird! Not judging, but it could never do that
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@Arden: Some hospitals here won't let women leave with their placentas! Or they'll discourage it if the woman doesn't fight for it. There was an issue recently where, by the time the mother jumped through all the hoops and the hospital consented, it was too late.
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@Arden: I think it's because even thought people eat meat, it's animal meat - not other humans.
I personally wouldn't encapsulate my placenta but I know a couple women who did and they seemed to have good experiences with it.
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@IRunForFun: What country are you in?
I know that in most US states, a woman is entitled to take her placenta if she wishes. While many hospitals will tell you that it's against their policy or that they can't release it because it is "medical waste", if you insist and tell them that you will sign a release waiver, they have to give it to you. In my experience, very few hospitals push the issue. They usually just print out a release form, roll their eyes a bit maybe, and carry on.
I always tell mamas to let the hospital know before the birth and have them get the release papers ready. You don't want to be arguing about it right after you've given birth.
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@pinkcupcake: I get that, but for me, as a vegetarian, I have a hard time understanding how on organ is delicious and another is disgusting. I always found it odd how people have no problem eating certain animals but the idea of eating other animals horrifies them. It's all the same to me I guess.
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@Arden: I live in New York! (Not the city.) I think the issue is more that hospitals say it's against their policy and the mothers don't know their rights, maybe? In the specific case I was referencing, the woman's doula wasn't sure either, and by the time she got the appropriate info, it was too late.
I'm just beginning my doula journey, so I'm still learning. I'm strongly considering having my own placenta encapsulated when the time comes, though, since I have a history of anxiety/depression and am concerned about PPD. There's a local doula/encapsulator who also does smoothies and candies with it!
To be honest, the idea of consuming part of my own body squicks me out a little, but I think I could get past it by focusing on the benefits...and if there aren't any, no harm, no foul?
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@IRunForFun: Yes it's likely an issue of mothers not knowing their rights and doing research prior to the birth. I would definitely let your provider know ahead of time and ask them to include any necessary release forms in your file, etc.
Honestly, it squicked me out a bit at first too. The idea of consuming it raw or in a smoothie still kind of makes me gag - again, lifetime vegetarian here. But the pills? That didn't bother me. I will warn you - the pills have a super metallic taste (probably the high iron levels which is part of what makes them so good for you!), so I always took them with juice not water so I wouldn't taste it. And I always took them with meals just to make sure they didn't upset my stomach.
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@IRunForFun: I just checked NY laws for you, and it is DEFINETLY legal.
There are a couple of states where it's still iffy, but NY is good to go.
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@Arden: Thanks! It'll be really helpful to know that as a doula, too.
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I am really curious about this too. Initially I just dismissed it but then we went to an information night with our midwife group and the one who is super into statistics and quotes all of the latest research said she was for it and told us what we needed to do so the hospital would release it. She did not offer any actual research or statistics on it but it was simply the fact that she is such an evidence based care provider and she was for it that made me want to look into it more.
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So I'm really curious about having it done, but I've heard that in rare circumstances it can have adverse affects like limiting milk supply. @Arden: Any idea why that would happen? Is it just a fluke, or someone preparing it wrong? I think this is the only thing stopping me from committing to doing it.
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I did not do it for #1 although I did take my placenta home so I could if I wanted to (I put it in the freezer). The reason I never did is because, at the time, I thought of it as a way to help with PPD if I developed it. Although I had a pretty good milk supply and never developed PPD, I did have a lot of pp healing issues related to blood loss at birth and retained placenta. Not sure whether encapsulating would have helped me get through the first few weeks better or not, but I *do* plan to encapsulate for #2. I figure it can't hurt.
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@Arden: I'm not sure if it's legal here (NC), my OB actually mentioned it to me one day because she was talking about how gross she thought it was because someone had asked her if they could keep theirs. She didn't think that the hospital would let her take it anyway.
Also, I know that people typically have a strong reaction to this subject, negative or positive they're usually pretty strong.. So, I just wanted to respond to a few of the things you said as someone who's in the "Meh" camp but leaning more towards the "No Way!" camp
As far as the whole eating meat thing... yes, I eat animal meat. I do not eat animal ORGANS though.. I don't eat liver, intestines, any of that, but I would not eat human meat, nor would I eat any human organs. So that argument doesn't make sense for me just because it's an organ. I eat some animals, but I wouldn't eat a horse. I think (to me at least) certain animals are "OK" and others are not. Humans are not. Not at all.Totally not trying to argue with you I just wanted to explain why I feel that way regarding meat vs. human meat
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@MrsTiz: I totally get what you are saying, and I 100% agree that this is a controversial topic because people have such strong opinions, but I guess I feel a little differently about it because it's part of *me*, not some random animal. But I absolutely wouldn't eat my placenta in any other form than encapsulated. I don't need to be that up close and personal. (Although I was *fascinated* by my placenta - I spent a good 20 minutes checking it out before the nurse cleaned it up and bagged it for me to take home.)
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I think it is a great idea and honestly, whatever might help those postpartum days...
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I really wanted to see my placenta after LO 2 was born (I was too out of it after LO 1!) but I had no interest in eating it.
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@MrsTiz: Sort of same deal for me. I would actually eat any animal that wasn't endangered, but it's strictly muscle tissue, not organ meat. Organs look like they would have gross textures so i avoid.
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Never considered it.
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@septca: Good! I really truly am not trying to start an argument I just know that I feel a way that a lot of people do, only I don't have the "hell no!" and pitchfork to go along with it haha. I was too drugged up after deliver but my midwife gave my mom & DH a 20 minute class on it, flipped it all inside out and let them check it out. DH said it was easily the most interesting thing he had ever seen! I'm going to have to look at it next time!
@Sunderling: Yeah..ohh the texture. GAG. I could handle the pills, but I know that some people actually eat it..I can't even eat ricotta cheese because of the texture
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If I were to have another baby (and I probably won't) I would totally do it. It's kind of like DD's amber teething necklace: I figure it may not help, but it certainly can't hurt.
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@MrsTiz: Well said on the meat thing, human is a completely different thing than animal. However, most of us do eat intestine if we eat sausage!
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@Mrs.Someone: I don't eat sausage! Hot dogs..do hotdogs have intensities in them? If yes then I guess I do eat intestines!
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I haven't seen clinical trials or other scientific research to back up the effectiveness of doing this--just anecdotal stories. If I'm wrong and those do exist, I might consider it! But for now, I plan on donating my placenta to the search and rescue dog groups that are trained to look for human remains. Morbid, I know, but necessary.
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@Arden: Well, for *me* anyways, the distinction is between eating something *human* versus *animal*. Eating certain animals, like dogs or cats, might not be the norm and I certainly wouldn't do it, but I think it's on a totally different scale from eating a human. Not trying to get into a moral debate here and I don't want to threadjack any further - just wanted to address your statement that it's all the same. In my opinion, it's *not* all the same.
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@MrsTiz: Then you're clear! I think hot dogs use synthetic casings, unless you buy the kind made at a butcher (ie. not in a package).
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@Happygal: I love this! Off to google!
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@MrsTiz: @pinkcupcake: I do GET what you guys are saying, it just how I see it for me personally. The thing is, this is part of ME, not some other human. That's different, somehow.
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@Arden: Well, I also don't eat my boogers or toenails.. that's part of me too!
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I really wanted to do it, but it was way too expensive.
If we have another baby, I will absolutely look into it again (we're moving so perhaps the cost will be lower where we're going).
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@hellocupcake: This is really interesting. Thanks for posting the link!
If we have another baby, I will absolutely look into it again (we're moving so perhaps the cost will be lower where we're going).
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