Placenta encapsulation... Anyone?

ktin987 · January 2015

I don't think I've seen this posted and can't figure out how to search from mobile so I apologize if this has already been discussed.
Does anyone have any experience with placenta encapsulation or are you planning on it with this pregnancy? I have less than 2 weeks til baby (sched RCS) so I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it, if it works and everything. With my first pregnancy, I had bad PPD. I put it to the fact I have birth over 8wks early and the babies spent 5wks in the NICU and that's why I felt that way. Not sure, but I know that I DO NOT want to feel like that again. It was horrible. Anyway - just looking for any experience or stories you've heard.

sunnysunsun · January 2015

The only thing my MW said was to be careful and make sure the process is legit, because the placenta works like the liver, so it can be dangerous to consume. It's a blood filtering organ.

hiphopdancer2007 · January 2015

I haven't done it but plan on doing it this time around. My midwifes daughter actually does it so she will take it with her when she goes and bring the pills with her when she comes back for a follow up a couple days later. I had really bad PPD the first time and had to stop BF because of it. Hoping to avoid that this time so I'm willing to try it.

When I spoke with my midwife about it earlier today she said when she first heard about it 5 years ago she thought "great another trend that will give midwives a bad name about how they make their clients eat their placentas." She said she has seen a real difference in how people are and act if they do it.

tdegarmo1 · January 2015

I'm interested because I'm TERRIFIED of PPD. Like absolutely terrified. But I'm curious as to their taste. Is there a significant taste to them? I don't take pills very well and refuse to take gross tasting pills. I'm hoping there's nothing to them but can't imagine that's the case.

Trek3 · January 2015

I have heard that it can help a lot, that it can do nothing, and that it can cause more issues (weepiness & moodiness).

If you are wanting to give it a try, just be on the lookout for it causing problems, or ask someone close to you to pay close attention. I think it is more likely to help than hurt though.

jennielynn+ · January 2015

I think I am also too skeptical for the placebo effect. To me, your body expels the placenta for a reason. It served its intended purpose for nine months. Also, I have been told that it starts to break down towards the end of pregnancy anyways. In the age of natural supplements, good foods and vitamins, it is so easy to get our hands on everything the body might be lacking.

However, I don't think it is gross or naive to try it. We are all at risk for PPD so, I would never bash anything with potential to prevent/lessen the risk. If it works for some, I think that is awesome!

butchmum · January 2015

My midwife cooked mine up with onion, garlic, rosemary and red wine. I ate a third the night I delivered and the next two thirds warmed up for breakfast and served with fried eggs the next two days. It was absolutely delicious--kind of like liver but softer and a bit sweeter. I like liver though, so I'm probably biased.

(just to put an even more hippy extreme option out there! I feel a bit like StargirlB, saying it though!)

For what it's worth, my milk came in on the second day. This is my first baby, though, so I've no comparison with what it might have been like.

nfm12832 · January 2015

I am doing it. I didn't try last time. I had some pretty bad baby blues, so hoping it helps with that energy and milk production. Figure it's worth a try.

ktin987 · January 2015

I've heard mostly good so I figure it's worth a shot. I found a local doula who charges $175 and it includes pick up of placenta and delivery of pills. I'm thinking that price is worth it if I don't have to feel that way again. It would be cool to hear stories of second or more time moms who have tried it or have something to compare it to. Thanks for all of your input!

mitcha65 · January 2015

I am getting it done this time around! We are the only mammals who do mot eat their placenta! I have heard so many wonderful things! I am excited to try it out:)

TiffanyJill · January 2015

I have heard nothing but great things. I wanted to do it but honestly it got put on the back burner. Not sure where the time has gone!!

Jellybean707 · January 2015

mitcha65 said:

I am getting it done this time around! We are the only mammals who do mot eat their placenta! I have heard so many wonderful things! I am excited to try it out:)

Yes, but eating it raw and in it's entirety within a few hours of birth and dehydrating and then pulverizing it and taking in capsule form over weeks are very different things.

Also, doesn't the placenta act as a protective barrier? It filters out all of the bad stuff including chemicals and pollution. So aren't you just putting all of that back into your body and then giving it to baby via your breastmilk?

There are too many unknowns for my taste with this. I'm going to stick to clean living, healthy eating, and good self care to help with the baby blues.

ncampese · January 2015

@jellybean707 There is a raw encapsulation option.

A clean and healthy lifestyle will not necessarily shield you from PPD.

Jellybean707 · January 2015

ncampese said:

@jellybean707 There is a raw encapsulation option. A clean and healthy lifestyle will not necessarily shield you from PPD.

I didn't know there was a raw option.

I didn't mean to imply that a clean and healthy lifestyle will make you exempt from getting PPD.

To clarify, I meant to say that in my estimation the effects of placental encapsulation would at best rival good nutrition since the placenta is used as a nutritional suppliment.

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Placenta encapsulation... Anyone?

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