DIY placental encapsulation

carpozi

Warning - this is a bit graphic.  But since we were talking about this the other day, I thought I'd share for those of you that can stomach it.  I had asked my Bradley instructor last night if she knew anyone in the area that did encapsulation and she sent me this link... I thought she was serious but I guess she was joking.  I could never do this myself, although it would save money...

 

https://www.cafemom.com/journals/read/1577334/Placenta_Encapsulation_Instructions_w_Pictures

My favorite lines are the "stab and bleed" parts.  

Texas77again

wow, that's pretty cool.  i had heard of ways to do that and knew the basics of the process but had never seen specific instructions and pics.  thanks for sharing! 

yeshuahamasshiah

I actually did consider doing this .... I am a big believer of doing things yourself, I make my own diapers, carriers, bedding, mama pads, grow my own garden ... etc!

However this was one of those things where I needed to make sure it was done right and as quickly as possible. Since I could not predict how my birth would go, I figured hiring someone to take care of it for me would at least guarantee that it would get done.

Maybe I could have convinced my doula to do it for me at home. I know of people who have had their moms, sisters or BFFs do it for them shortly after the birth has taken place ... sadly all of our family live out of the country and DH would not have a part on this.

If you have the stomach and determination to do it, the more power to you! Plus it would save you a few bucks!

roundtheworldgirl

Oh my.

pepomntpat

Thank you for sharing.

7river7wed7

You know... at the beginning I was really grossed out by the photos but by the end I could totally see myself doing something like this.

Are there any risks if you don't do it just *perfect*?

AshasaurusRex

Wow, super interesting! Thanks for sharing.

ErinMSB

I find the whole idea of placental encapsulation just facinating!  And the benefits are just amazing.  (I've heard of women using them during menopause too.)  So why is it that I just can't get past the idea of ingesting one of my own organs?!  If can get over myself in the next 7 weeks, I'm definitely gonna do this.

mommyndoula

as someone who provides placenta encapsulation services, the advice that I have for a new mom thinking of doing the process herself... find someone to do it for you (family, friend, DH), the process is very physically demanding. Lots of standing, lots of leaning over the counter. I spend about 1-3 hours handling the placenta before the dehydrator, then another 1-3 after (including cleanup times; every placenta is different so the times can vary greatly), the whole time I am on my feet, hunched over. It's very taxing for new moms, while trying to manage the care of their infant, especially since there are points in the process you can't just simply stop and walk away.

 

Just my 0.02$ after having done dozens of placentas. 

punkrockabye

My apologies for the total noob question, but I am definitely fascinated. I admit to being too weak to stomach the thought of just eating it, but encapsulation seems very doable, especially if I could have someone do it for me. 

But my question is, how easy is it to get your placenta if you give birth in a hospital? When I do give birth, it will be in a hospital that is very natural birth friendly (for certain; I have a doctor already), but in the end, it's still not a homebirth. This just seems like something they would not be very open to allowing. 

mommyndoula

punkrockabye:

But my question is, how easy is it to get your placenta if you give birth in a hospital? When I do give birth, it will be in a hospital that is very natural birth friendly (for certain; I have a doctor already), but in the end, it's still not a homebirth. This just seems like something they would not be very open to allowing. 

 

It's not the easiest thing in the world. It depends on the hospital.

I'm in StL and work both sides of the river, so I have spoken with the IL EPA after there was a placenta found in a sewer up in Urbana, from the information and legal code they have forwarded me, in IL, it is NOT illegal for a mother to take her placenta home from a hospital and under religious freedom laws, she is protected to do so. 

That's not to say I haven't argued with numerous IL hospitals about asinine policies. 

My advice. 1. Call the L&D Nurse Manager, ask if the have some type of 'placenta release form'... the only information they need to know is that you want to take it home for religious/spiritual purposes. Be vague past that; it's personal information they don't need. 2. If they don't have one already prepared, if you can speak with the Risk Management Department to create one. If they won't transfer, call the hospital Operator for assistance; don't give up at L&D 3. Feel out your OB/Midwife. Try to get them on your side and sympathetic. Some just shrug their shoulders in the labor room and say 'sure, whatever'.

Don't wait til you've delivered or are in labor, start communication early and be prepared to provide or sign any legal 'release of liability' that they send your way.

 Also, if you have someone local who professionally does placenta encapsulation, email and ask if they would be willing to share any information about area hospitals. (check www.placentabenefits.info or use google) 

HTH a little. 

punkrockabye

mommyndoula:

punkrockabye:

But my question is, how easy is it to get your placenta if you give birth in a hospital? When I do give birth, it will be in a hospital that is very natural birth friendly (for certain; I have a doctor already), but in the end, it's still not a homebirth. This just seems like something they would not be very open to allowing. 

 

It's not the easiest thing in the world. It depends on the hospital.

I'm in StL and work both sides of the river, so I have spoken with the IL EPA after there was a placenta found in a sewer up in Urbana, from the information and legal code they have forwarded me, in IL, it is NOT illegal for a mother to take her placenta home from a hospital and under religious freedom laws, she is protected to do so. 

That's not to say I haven't argued with numerous IL hospitals about asinine policies. 

My advice. 1. Call the L&D Nurse Manager, ask if the have some type of 'placenta release form'... the only information they need to know is that you want to take it home for religious/spiritual purposes. Be vague past that; it's personal information they don't need. 2. If they don't have one already prepared, if you can speak with the Risk Management Department to create one. If they won't transfer, call the hospital Operator for assistance; don't give up at L&D 3. Feel out your OB/Midwife. Try to get them on your side and sympathetic. Some just shrug their shoulders in the labor room and say 'sure, whatever'.

Don't wait til you've delivered or are in labor, start communication early and be prepared to provide or sign any legal 'release of liability' that they send your way.

 Also, if you have someone local who professionally does placenta encapsulation, email and ask if they would be willing to share any information about area hospitals. (check www.placentabenefits.info or use google) 

HTH a little. 

 

Oh wow, thank you! That definitely helps. I will be sure to address it before it gets too late once I become pregnant. From my quick search earlier, there appears to be 2-3 ladies in Chicago who do the procedure for a living (or part of a living), so having someone who knows the ins and outs of it might help me make it happen.