Natural Birth
yellowrose314
member
XP: Experiences with placentophagy
yellowrose314
member
I am a second year RN student and I have to do a presentation about a topic of interest from my community Maternal/Child rotation, and I chose placentophagy or eating the placenta, as well as encapsulation, where they freeze dry or dehydrate the placenta and put it in capsules for ingestion. I'm doing research but I wanted some public opinion.
I just wanted to know what the opinions are about this... have you done it? Why did you decide to? Did you feel as if it improved your post partum health? If you didn't do it, why? What are you opinions on the practice? and anything else you have to say about the topic.
Thanks in advance!
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Re: XP: Experiences with placentophagy
Why did you decide to? PPD runs in my family. My sister did it and swore it helped her hormones balance out. I was with her for a week after the birth and I saw a noticeable difference with her before and after taking it.
Did you feel as if it improved your post partum health? Nope. It did nothing for me. At all. I likely won't bother this time.
What are you opinions on the practice? To each their own. It may help or it may not. Even if it's all in the mind, the mind is a powerful thing. Even if it offers no actual physical benefit (and I'm not saying it doesn't), if it benefits the mind it may in turn benefit the body. There are many people who swear by its benefits.
Why did you decide to? I have struggled with depression in the past. From what I read it can help your hormone levels balance out and can help with milk supply. When I had my LO I was finishing grad school and knew that I would have a lot of stress in my life. I figured it was worth a shot to try it to prevent PPD.
Did you feel as if it improved your post partum health? Yes but only to a degree. It gave me more energy in general and helped with my mood. I did still have some postpartum blues but nothing extreme. I also had a great supply and was able to EBF my LO. I am not sure if the pills directly helped with that but I'll take it. I did have some tearing that took awhile to heal. The pills did not help with that.
What are you opinions on the practice? and anything else you have to say about the topic. I can go eaither way. If someone wants to do it great if not that is fine to. I think it all depends on the person. My OB was shocked that I wanted to take my placenta home in general and said she had never had a patient do that. It is not very accepted in mainstream society and many people think it is weird but everyone is entitled to an opinion.
I am a Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist and I encapsulated my own placenta after the birth of my second son.
I had so much more energy and no baby blues...it was definitely worth it to me and I highly recommend it.
Doula, Placenta Encapsulator, Childbirth/Lactation Educator
Corin Andrew Dec 24/09
Ronan Edward Jul 9/12
Baby #3 EDD Aug 6/14
Why did you decide to? I read that it helped with PPD, energy and nursing. As a first time mom, I wanted all the help I could get.
Did you feel as if it improved your post partum health? Yes. I think I was able to deal with the hormonal shifts easier.
If you didn't do it, why?
What are you opinions on the practice? and anything else you have to say about the topic.
I'm glad I did it and would do it again.