Placenta Encapsulation?

SoxFan777

I know placenta encapsulation is VERY out there for some people... It is for me, too, if you want the truth.  I said "EW" the first time I heard of it.  I'm just looking for opinions on it, from both sides.  I wouldn't even CONSIDER it except I had SO MUCH trouble breastfeeding my c-section baby and I'm terrified of having the same issue if we have another (I'll likely be having another c-section for a variety of reasons).  I'd do just about everything to have an easier BFing relationship next time (I had to stop at 6 months after trying reglan, fenugreek, brewer's yeast, etc.)

Any experience with the placenta thing?  Is it too weird for you?  I didn't really have PPD, but I've suffered from depression in the past and I do know I'm at risk for it.  I did cry after the birth for a month or two for no real reason, but I wouldn't say I was super-depressed.  Is that weird?

Anyway, thanks in advance for any suggestions/opinions/advice.  If you reccomend another place to post this, let me know. 

Meg&Jesse

Yes, I did it with DS2.  Best decision ever!  I felt great after he was born and was able to get over the baby blues hump.  My milk also came in quicker than with DS1 and I stopped postpartum bleeding within a few days. 

Honestly, I wish I could convince more women to do it, but I know it is just too wierd for some people. 

If you are considering it, I would meet with an encapsulation specialist. 

TiffanyBerry

I did it.  Totally thinks it helps.  You don't have to see the placenta at all if you don't want to, so all you're going to see is some gelcaps.    I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Emerald27

To each his own, I say, but I could never do it. The thought is really unappetizing to me. I understand the benefit of animals in the wild eating their placentas, but I really do find the thought of a human consuming her placenta disgusting.

If you would like to try it, though, more power to you! I hope you find it beneficial and well worth the expense!

pixieprincss

I had a very good experience with raw capsule (dehydrated) preparation with DS2. If you look on the Natural Birth board, you can find many old posts with lots of stories. Tincturing a piece of the placenta is another option.

It sounds like what you are talking about is "Baby Blues" it can be normal (vs. PPD or PPTSD) and has to do with shifting hormones.

vintagejjane

I did it. I am SO glad I did. It helped with my milk supply when it tanked randomly a few months ago, and during the first few weeks with baby blues.

StefandTodd

I've done it (am doing it) for both babies.  I have a family history of depression and was scared mostly of PPD.  WIth my first, I barely had a little bit of baby blues...a bit of crying "happy" and overwhelmed tears at 4 days pp.  And I had one rough-ish day around 6 weeks.  Baby #2 is 18 days old, but I honestly can't think of a time I've cried at all since he's been born.  I feel awesome, and actually started them earlier this time around, which I've attributed with how I didn't even have that 4 days pp emotional/hormone surge to make me teary.  Anyway, I am a big BIG advocate.  I was especially nervous about this baby's birth and my emotions after b/c I have a 16 month old at home and spent a lot of time dwelling on how a new baby would affect him, etc.  But I've had a really great experience so far.  Who knows if it's placebo or just how it'd be normal or the placenta, but I can't imagine going without them...

Also, I'm tandem feeding my NB and 16 month old and have an abundance of milk for both of them.  And I didn't have any problems nursing my older child until my supply was hormonally affected by getting pregnant when he was 6 months old (and by then, my pills were long gone anyway).

Anyway, I'm a huge advocate.  

Marsee

mrscjmb9410:

I did it with DS. Like you, I suffered from depression in the past and did not want to go down the road of PPD if there was any chance I could avoid it. 

There was a significant difference in my attitude and demeanor in the immediate PP period.

I felt good with my capsules, but I had a terrible time with my milk supply. I tried EVERYTHING (including 8+ weeks of appts. with an LC) and nothing worked. I was so depressed about it I ended up with PPD anyway, but I DO believe the capsules prevented me from getting much, much worse.  

FTR, I had to supplement with formula from day one and I fought every effing day to continue BFing. I'm so, so, so proud to report that we are still going strong at 17 months. 

lisa5201

Totally doing it this time around after a rough post partum period with my first. I talked to another mom about it who i thought was pretty open and cool and she gave me some serious stink eye, so I def won't be discussing it with anyone outside of my midwife and DH though. I think it is super weird until you start to read about it and hear peoples stories and realize it makes total sense.

I had a hard time nursing and coping and just wasn't the best "me" i could be after DD and I think she deserved more, and I wish I could go back. If these pills can help, even if it's a placebo effect, it is completely worth any amount of money, and any amount of "ick" factor