Placenta encapsulation

ihateusernames* · December 2016

anyone else here planning on eating their placenta? Or have previous experiences with it? I'd love to hear from you;)

anonellis · December 2016

My doula suggested that there are studies that say it may not be good for the baby if you're breastfeeding. Something about the placenta being a barrier organ, filtering certain things from getting to the baby, and if you ingest it you'll pass all of that right to the baby through breast milk. She didn't seem totally against it, and sounded like there's data out there that cuts both ways so who really knows, but I just thought it was interesting because I had only heard extremely positive things or from people who think it's just "icky." I was more curious than anything, and probably won't do it. But everyone I know who has done it totally swears by it!

Gators&BoSox · December 2016

I agree that everyone that I know who has done it is a huge fan. I'm not doing it simply bc I don't want to go through the hassle and my DH would probably vomit at the mention of such a thing.

hippiemama-2 · December 2016

I'm going the encapsulation route- mainly for the potential ppd benefits. I haven't decided if I'll be doing traditional or raw for the process yet. If anyone has experience with either, I'd love to hear what you preferred and why!

dizzymom-2 · December 2016

I'm encapsulating. I have an auto immune disorder and my doctor highly recommended it for recovery.

ihateusernames* · December 2016

Oh interesting! @DizzyMom how does it help autoimmune disorders?

@anonellis I have heard about some women getting a lot of rage- which I think is interesting. I had heard about it acting as a filter but not about passing toxins to baby. I'll have to look more into that! Thanks for mentioning it.

kjd291 · December 2016

I haven't asked my midwives about it... the thought crossed my mind. I've heard a couple ppl rave about it, but I've also read a few articles about the potential of toxins being in the placenta, and having negative reactions and such... thinking since there just isn't much research on it I'm going to pass this time around.
But since it's becoming more popular-I'm hoping my the next baby there will be more studies done!

vino831 · December 2016

Absolutely hands down would not want to go through recovery with out it! I did it originally for the ppd reasons.

I can say that if I forgot to take the pills I felt SO weak and tired. Turns out one of the major benefits of the pills is the iron replenishment - which makes a ton of sense.

Also lots of mom's talk about the bit of post pardum hormones (like crazy or anger which is supposed to be related to "coming down" off the pregnancy hormones. I never had any of that. I had amazing energy and never felt any mood flux.

Ofc I realize the evidence is anecdotal but I'm a believer!

cluckymama · December 2016

@DizzyMom I also have an auto immune disorder, so I'm curious how it is supposed to help?! Would love to look into it!

ihateusernames* · December 2016

@vino831 the iron is the main reason I want to do it!!! My levels are dropping like its hot and supplements and diet are not helping

I'm hoping that the placenta will have some left for me. Glad to hear it helped you!!!

shilarys · December 2016

I have been thinking about it- I hate that is cost so much to have it dried into capsules. Its about $250 here I think.....Otherwise I am game. My friend swears by it. Said she had half the amount of bleeding and her energy was crazy. She had two prior births and wishes she had done it then. So if I can find a way to pay for it I am in.

dizzymom-2 · December 2016

The way I understand it is... when you're pregnant your immune system basically shuts down in an effort to protect the baby. When your body can't mount an immune response you usually feel fine so you may not notice the havoc that pregnancy is wreaking on your body and immune system. The childbirth process can be especially traumatic on your body- moreso for those with autoimmune diseases/disorders. It can cause people to relapse or become more ill. The benefits of the placenta are supposed to help counteract that. Your immune system basically has to turn back on. Many women struggle recouping even without autoimmune problems, so when you add that to the mix it can be even more complicated. The components of the placenta are believed to help with that. I'm also a pretty firm believer in nature and do my best to follow an organic regimen in all things (because my body doesn't detox correctly.) That being said- animals instinctually consume the placentas when they give birth. There has to be something to that! A year and a half ago I was so sick I spent most of my days in bed and was miserable. I don't think I could handle being that sick again so for me the benefits outweigh the risk here. There's not a whole lot I wouldn't try to ensure I'll be healthy enough to take care of my baby.

mrsyimster · December 2016

No matter how I try to look at it.... I still find it gross .... but that's just me

vino831 · December 2016

Lol @mrsyimster I agree it seems odd especially when before I did it my mental pictures if it were a little wild. But the process is pretty impressive and it's not like it tastes like anything - fish oil is FAR more disgusting!!

ihateusernames* · December 2016

Yeah, some people love to eat liver...

...some love to eat their placenta

one perk is at least I know that the "animal's" placenta is free range and mostly organic... except for triple O Tuesdays

Happyhiker · January 2017

Bumping this thread. Have any of you changed your mind about eating your placenta? We talked about it in birth class tonight. When I saw the topic here initially, my reaction was eww, no way! Now I'm thinking about it. Even considering having it prepared to eat raw in a smoothie. Sounds like it helps replace hormones so you don't have such a huge transition after birth, and it reduces bleeding. Not sure I can get over being grossed out though. Now that we are close, what are you thinking??

hippiemama-2 · January 2017

@Happyhiker if the idea of putting it in a smoothie or eating it raw freaks you out ... consider the encapsulation route. they end up looking like vitamins and there's no potential gag reflex to fight away if the thought becomes too much.

Cbeanz · January 2017

I don't want to consume mine but I want to see it and feel it. The nurses showed it to me after my first birth but I was too timid to reach out and touch it. I'd love to take it home if they let me. Or at least get some photos if they don't. It's a pretty amazing organ if you think about it.

Happyhiker · January 2017

@hippiemama, yes, I will definitely look into that. I know there are several places to get that done in my area. Is the dehydrated pill as effective?

hippiemama-2 · January 2017

@happyhiker from what I hear- yes!

Happyhiker · January 2017

Awesome, thanks! Much more palatable. :-)

vino831 · January 2017

I have a few pills left over from DS. As you can see they look like any other herb type capsule (no taste, no flavor, noafter taste - like fish oil or anything lol). I'll try to get a better picture tonight my cell phone camera is on the fritz. Happyhiker the pills are what I felt the huge energy difference with.

Last time I also did the broth - which is a biproduct of the steaming/dehydration process which is probably just as appetizing sounding as the smoothie to some but I used it in teas and again couldnt taste it at all. Let me just add for the record I have MAJOR issues with eating or drinking anything that I dont like. Anything that is good for you, healthy (ACV) a drink anything I am not one to be able to choke anything down.

Since I'm doing a home birth this time I plan to do the smoothie as well which helps with the immediate bleeding.

I actually went out with a few friends last night. Some were doulas and if they werent doulas they were actually clients. Almost all of them had the smoothie and said they each added it to what was already their favorite smoothie and you cant taste it. And its not like you have to watch them make it

wintersong · January 2017

My friend encapsulated her placenta and ended up giving them to her daughter with down syndrome. Her anecdotal experience was that it made a gigantic difference in her daughter's ability to talk and communicate in general. I know of no scientific data to back this up, though I'm sure she got the idea from somewhere.

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