Placenta Encapsulation- yay or nay?

orangecrush29 · September 2018

The title says it all I guess! Are you planning on encapsulating your placenta? I've not done it with my past 3, but I tend to get pretty bad PPD and if there's something that could potentially help that, I'm all ears. So, I'd love to hear your pros and cons and reasons why or why not! I'm just starting to do the research but there's only one lady near me that does it who I would trust to do it, so I need to schedule her soon if I'm gonna do it!

PensiveCrayon · September 2018

Eh. I didn't do it last time and I'm not going to this time. But to each her own

AGK2015 · September 2018

Nope. There's no actual research supporting the alleged benefits, just anecdotes (and the plural of anecdote isn't data), and even if the plural of anecdote was data the placebo effect is also a very real thing. And while there is some history of medicinal/quasi-medicinal placentophagy, typically it wasn't the mother using it as a treatment for anything; it wasn't really until the 60s or 70s that the whole maternal placentophagy thing gained stream.

In any case, as skeptic, I probably wouldn't get much of that sweet sweet placebo action, so I'll save my money and spend it on a couple years' worth of Zoloft.

hannelorre · September 2018

Not for me either. Not regulated enough for me and I'm too scared of stuff like this. Mom was fine but the baby got sick.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6625a4.htm

katy0990 · September 2018

@orangecrush29 I personally am not going to. I would definitely encourage you to do a lot of research, especially since the process is not regulated. That being said, PPA/PPD sucks and I completely understand your willingness to do whatever it takes to avoid dealing with it again.

echo-charlietango · September 2018

I wouldn’t do it. Simply because we can make an organ doesn’t mean we benefit from eating it.

I’m pretty sure @Gwyneddlesliegrace is pro-encapsulation... haven’t seen her in a while though.

orangecrush29 · September 2018

This is making me feel less crazy for not being nuts about the idea of it! So many people I know have done it the last few years and it's honestly never even crossed my mind, but a friend of mine who is due a few weeks before me has been really pushing the pros of it- which is why I wanted to know the cons too! Thanks!!

katy0990 · September 2018

If you are looking for cons: https://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/25/i-regret-eating-my-placenta/

PensiveCrayon · September 2018

@katy0990 That article is so interesting, because the woman behind Mama Natural experienced similar issues when she consumed her placenta, I believe. I haven’t read the post since the last time I was pregnant but here’s her take: https://www.mamanatural.com/placenta-eating-experience/

katy0990 · September 2018

@PensiveCrayon That is eerily similar...

hoosiermama-2 · September 2018

I was really gung-ho about it with DD and found a local lady who does all sorts of placenta things... smoothie powders, pills, blah blah blah. When I asked my doctor about it she very matter-of-factly (not in the slightest bit condescending or snarky) told me that it just wasn't a good idea for lack of regulations and other stuff people have mentioned. Such a great idea in theory but... science.

Jens_Hoes · September 2018

I echo the above in that it’s a terrible idea.
The whole point of the placenta is to keep out toxins which would in theory mean that the placenta is full of toxins. Also, how would you know your placenta is even healthy?
I don’t know if it was one of the earlier websites posted but someone who was pro-encapsulation said she experienced negative side effects.
I also love science and this is so far from regulated.
I get the fear about PPD/PPA because I am terrified of having it again but I’d rather take something I know is healthy and safe for me and pretty much guaranteed to make me feel better.

Katzalia · September 2018

Yeah, no. As PP have said, there is zero evidence that placentophagy helps with anything, and there are definite risks.

If you are concerned about PPD/PPA, you can monitor your mood, have trusted others to let you know if they notice any concerns, and talk to your doctor or baby’s pediatrician if you have *any* question or concern. If you have had a history of PPD, it’s also reasonable to start medication immediately postpartum (especially if it’s helped in the past) or to schedule a therapy visit within the first few weeks postpartum.

orangecrush29 · September 2018

Thanks for all the insight ladies! It's good to know both sides of it. I'll probably skip it again... I don't need anything that sketchy on top of all the postpartum crazies!

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