I know we have talked about this...Placenta Encapsulation

MrMrsandBaby · August 2014

I know it has been discussed before but now that we are 1.5 - 2.5 months out I was wondering how many of you are actually doing this? I put my deposit down this week so I'm on board; DH is actually really supportive of this - well, really anything that may make the PP period easier for me and could potentially boost my chances at BFing successfully.

Just curious who else is doing this? Or still considering it?

toomanycats1 · August 2014

I'm not doing it, but I don't judge anyone that does.

I might do it if it was a regularly offered thing in my area, and I didn't have to go out of my way to have it done.

SCMomma · August 2014

I've thought about it. Even considered doing it myself. (AHAHAHAHAH, NO)

I'm also not convinced that it's much more than a placebo effect. If I had the extra money to burn, I probably would do it.. Placebo or not, if it makes you feel good, does it really matter? But I think I'll save that cash and buy other things that I know make me happy. Like cake.

pnwlover12 · August 2014

So, I'm a little bummed out. I totally wanted to do this all throughout my pregnancy. I even picked a place to do it. Then I asked my midwife about it at my last appointment.

I said, "So what do you think about placenta encapsulation? Is it worth it? Does it work?"

Her exact response was, "Well...I think the jury is still out on that. But we have plenty of women who opt to do it so we will support you if you choose to do so."

Now I feel less confident in it, I don't know why, but...my midwife is the stereotypical crunchy and "all natural everything!" type, and she didn't seem sold on it.

melaniedel · August 2014

I'm actually meeting with a midwife from my practice on Monday specifically to discuss this and a few other things I have been curious about. epo is another. I had some ppd with my first two. I'm not sure if it was situational (home construction, hurricane Irene and sandy, etc). I want to get her opinion and may give it a shot.

CNJ4EVA · August 2014

100% doing it.

My doc couldn't support it as she says there is no evidence medically speaking as to the effects, but I'm desperate to avoid the extreme struggles I suffered with milk production for my DD. I cannot go through that again. I'm praying with all that I have that this is the key for me. If the rumored mood boost/energy increase accompanies increased milk production, that will be an added bonus.

Sure, the thought grossed me out at first. However, the potential of not going through borderline depression from constantly feeling inferior and inadequate got me over that gross out with the quickness. eta I inadvertently wrote adequate instead of inadequate in my op

CNJ4EVA · August 2014

SaraML13 said:

I've got plenty of other things to spend money on with a new baby.

Being inspired by the UO thread, I'm taking this chance to speak up. This is a hot button issue for me.

This comment rubs me the wrong way. It seems to me that because you don't believe in it and find it gross, that you are trying to say anyone who does it is wasting money or somehow depriving their child of some need.

Sure, there are lots of costs with a new baby. However, this may well benefit, and be well worth the cost, for many moms.

Edit to change someone to somehow because I can't articulate a thought today.

SCMomma · August 2014

CNJ4EVA said:

SaraML13 said:

I've got plenty of other things to spend money on with a new baby.

It seems to me that because you don't believe in it and find it gross, that you are trying to say anyone who does it is wasting money or someone depriving their child of some need.

That's not how I read that comment AT ALL. Not even a little tiny bit.

angeltennis3 · August 2014

Cantisa said:

SCMomma said:

CNJ4EVA said:

SaraML13 said:

I've got plenty of other things to spend money on with a new baby.

It seems to me that because you don't believe in it and find it gross, that you are trying to say anyone who does it is wasting money or someone depriving their child of some need.

That's not how I read that comment AT ALL. Not even a little tiny bit.

I read it as immature to say it's "gross."

I disagree it is immature to think it is gross. I think seafood is gross...does that make me immature? No. It's totally personal preference.

MingAAA · August 2014

i'm having it done. all other creatures(mammals at least) eat their placenta when they give birth so there is obviously some rhyme or reason to it in my opinion. i'm a first time mom with very limited funds and i didn't find it too expensive, especially if it has the effects that it is rumored to have. you won't know unless you try I guess. I'm in Maine and I found a doula who would do it and it was a $50 deposit and $175 total. You can bring it to her or she will arrange to meet you and pick it up. It was cheaper to just bring it there so that's the option I chose. It was also cheaper to do the raw-dehydrated method. Hope this info is helpful for someone!

MrMrsandBaby · August 2014

I'm apparently in a higher cost area, it is costing me $250 and I checked out about 6 different people who do it. I had to get past the ick factor but even without a full scientific study I can't ignore the anecdotal benefits.

It is a cost I'm more than willing to take on!

CNJ4EVA · August 2014

SaraML13 said:

CNJ4EVA said:

SaraML13 said:

I've got plenty of other things to spend money on with a new baby.

Being inspired by the UO thread, I'm taking this chance to speak up. This is a hot button issue for me.

This comment rubs me the wrong way. It seems to me that because you don't believe in it and find it gross, that you are trying to say anyone who does it is wasting money or somehow depriving their child of some need.

Sure, there are lots of costs with a new baby. However, this may well benefit, and be well worth the cost, for many moms.

Edit to change someone to somehow because I can't articulate a thought today.

I don't mean to imply that if you do it you are depriving your child. But placental encapsulation can get pricey and to me it is not worth the money. Maybe if it were free I would get over the grossness factor and give it a shot, but I'm not going to spend a bunch of money on it.

I can admit that it's possible I read something between the lines that wasn't there because I'm sensitive on the subject. I apologize for taking it out of context. I have to dig deep, but I can also see how someone who hasn't struggled with issues that placenta encapsulate may help would see it as a waste of money.

miss.brittany · August 2014

I find the idea fascinating. I struggled with my milk supply while nursing my first and ended up having to breastfeed and supplement with some formula. It was very emotional and something I struggled deeply with on a personal level. So the idea of anything that might make nursing easier this time appeals to me (because trust me I tried all kinds of things last time!).

I don't plan on doing it because it's expensive and not easily accessible where I live. Also I'm nervous that the encapsulation process might decrease some of the benefits. I know that there are different methods but a lot include freezing, and dehydrating. And I worry about losing the important nutrients by doing that. Just like how raw fruits and vegetables maintain more nutritional content than when prepared other ways. A PP mentioned raw encapsulation though. That's cool and seems like it might preserve the nutrients!

At the end of the day it's not in the budget for me, but I don't think it's gross! Those of you who are able to do it will have to keep us posted on how you feel and if you think it really makes a difference! If so maybe I'll start saving now to do it with my next baby. lol

MuffinMom14 · August 2014

I'm with @SaraML13 in that I can't justify the cost. FOR ME. If you have the money go on ahead.

I struggle with depression anyway, so I DID look into it, but two things stopped me. 1) The lack of actual PROOF so far, and 2) this area is NOT going to take kindly to that--I don't actually think the doctor will help me to save the placenta in the hubbub of labor. NO one does that here. So, I don't want to pay this money only to have the nurses or doctor toss it in the trash can and have nothing to give the doula or whoever to do it.

Plus, I think the nearest place is over an hour away.

This thread is making me second guess myself because of the depression and worry about milk supply, but I guess I'll save the option for the second baby, because there's no way to know if I will need it this time. I'll have to base what I do NEXT time on this experience, I suppose. If I struggle with depression and milk supply this time, I might be more likely to try it next time, even if there is no actual proof.

MauraCy · August 2014

I looked into this for the depression relief aspect as well (I get moderate to severe seasonal depression, so combo that with what I might have post birth, I will need all the help I can get). I was looking into the encapsulation because I really don't think I could stomach the raw deal. If someone else can, that is totally ok with me, it is just not for me. I talked to my dr about it as well. She does a lot research and stays very informed on all of the topics in her field, so I feel she has the most knowledgable answers.

She wasn't exactly for it, and I trusted the reasons why. She hasn't found a study she has liked and any she has found have had "statistically negligible" results, meaning any effects are likely placebo. She said it can't hurt if processed correctly, but more than likely won't help either, and she wouldn't choose to do it. She worries about proper handling and storage of the placenta when it leaves the hospital and has read several articles on moms who get extremely sick from improper storage and processing. Basically getting food poisoning from your own organ meat because the dehydrator wasn't properly sanitized or the flesh inside of the casuals was not dried correctly at the proper temperature, ect. That was her main complaint about it. Just the risk factor of choosing someone to encapsulate that does a crappy job. It's not like you will be there when they do the processing, so you have to trust they didn't contaminate your placenta. And I don't know if any states have actual regulations on the processing.

If I personally knew who was going to do it and had the budget for it, I probably would just because it can't hurt. But with what my dr has told me and the fact that I am staying up at night freaking out over our budget, I've opted not to, at least this time around.

femail · August 2014

I'm seriously considering it, and I have contact info for a lady who can do it for me; just have to call.

Emerald27 · August 2014

I am not doing it. I do know a number of moms who have consumed their placentas, though, and who found that it boosted their mood and energy.

MauraCy · August 2014

BobKat22 said:

MauraCy said:
I looked into this for the depression relief aspect as well (I get moderate to severe seasonal depression, so combo that with what I might have post birth, I will need all the help I can get). I was looking into the encapsulation because I really don't think I could stomach the raw deal. If someone else can, that is totally ok with me, it is just not for me. I talked to my dr about it as well. She does a lot research and stays very informed on all of the topics in her field, so I feel she has the most knowledgable answers.

She wasn't exactly for it, and I trusted the reasons why. She hasn't found a study she has liked and any she has found have had "statistically negligible" results, meaning any effects are likely placebo. She said it can't hurt if processed correctly, but more than likely won't help either, and she wouldn't choose to do it. She worries about proper handling and storage of the placenta when it leaves the hospital and has read several articles on moms who get extremely sick from improper storage and processing. Basically getting food poisoning from your own organ meat because the dehydrator wasn't properly sanitized or the flesh inside of the casuals was not dried correctly at the proper temperature, ect. That was her main complaint about it. Just the risk factor of choosing someone to encapsulate that does a crappy job. It's not like you will be there when they do the processing, so you have to trust they didn't contaminate your placenta. And I don't know if any states have actual regulations on the processing.

If I personally knew who was going to do it and had the budget for it, I probably would just because it can't hurt. But with what my dr has told me and the fact that I am staying up at night freaking out over our budget, I've opted not to, at least this time around.
This was my reasoning for not doing it last time. I was all for it until I told a bunch of doctors (not OB) I work with that I was doing it. They talked me out of it with the sanitation issues.

I had PPD so bad last time, that I'm risking it this time around and will try anything.

Yeah. I'm worried about the depression. I already have talked to my ob and primary about what drugs I can take while breast feeding. I don't think I'll be able to fight winter blues and ppd at the same time. I did find out I had a major vit D deficiency when I first got pregnant and my ob said that could have been a large contributing factor to my seasonal depression. It's the ppd that going to be the wild card. I've been off any drugs for over 2 years while trying to get pregnant, which is why the seasonal depression got so bad for me. Coming off of them was horrible. I'd really like to avoid them all together because of that. I don't think a boost from my placenta will do it. I'll still probably need prescription medication regardless

MsMacual · August 2014

I thought about doing it this time around and was fairly certain at one point that I would do it. I've become sort of indifferent to it as I get closer to delivering and probably won't end out doing it. I know a few moms who have done it and said it really helped with their mood and overall recovery. I felt great after my first and had a fairly easy recovery so I'm not overly worried about the physical aspects this time around. In terms of milk supply- baby at the breast is the single best way to boost supply so feeding on demand (even if it is constant) will do more than anything that can be ingested.

Maggie6424 · August 2014

I'm doing it. I had such awful PPD that I'm willing to try anything to avoid it this time.

MrsTinMKE · August 2014

Has anyone looked into the placenta smoothies? I am just curious. Its rather intimidating to me, but I am very curious about this. I am having trouble finding someone in my area that does this, but going to research it more before LO comes.

Maggie6424 · August 2014

MrsTinMKE said:

Has anyone looked into the placenta smoothies? I am just curious. Its rather intimidating to me, but I am very curious about this. I am having trouble finding someone in my area that does this, but going to research it more before LO comes.

Heck no.. I'll have a hard enough time not gagging when taking the capsuls.

MauraCy · August 2014

theresat858 said:
Maggie6424MauraCyBobKat22

Regarding PPD.... I do not think placenta encapsulation is a cure-all.

I
did it, and it did help stabilize my mood. But I ALSO started back on
my antidepressants the day that DD was born, and will be doing the same
with this one.

For those at high risk for PPD, I highly
recommend finding a psychiatrist to work with now (some of them
specialize in women's health and maternal health in particular), and get
a plan in place for after new baby comes. Don't rely on your OB to
prescribe psychiatric drugs - in this case, a specialist really is
better (unless you already know exactly what works for you).

I know which drugs work for me and so does my ob and primary. I have a psychiatrist as well, but haven't seen her in over 2 years. Nothing ever really changed with the meds she had me on and both of my dr's said what I was taking is ok with breast feeding. I'm going to get the script order from my primary before the baby is born so I can fill it if I need it. I just prefer to not have to because stepping down off of them to get pregnant sucked! I will take them if I need to though because I know that's best for everyone if I start slipping down. I definitely think its a great idea to have the plan in place beforehand. I've been cleaning and reorganizing everything else. Why not my mental health as well? Mental nesting!

Want a personalized experience?

I know we have talked about this...Placenta Encapsulation

Re: I know we have talked about this...Placenta Encapsulation

Choose Another Board

Search Boards