Placenta encapsulation, a placenta stew, or consumption of the raw placenta is a growing question for many new moms. The decision can often be a scary and confusing one to make. Many women may even find themselves asking, “What are the benefits of consuming the placenta?”
Although the Asian culture has implemented the ingesting of the placenta for years, in America it has only recently become an option to consider. With all of the flurry around the topic, let’s narrow our focus on placenta encapsulation and just what this little daily habit can do for you!
A Woman’s Experience
Cori DeGeest, a local to the Black Hills area and a new mother of 6 months, discovered the benefits of placenta encapsulation post-pregnancy. For Cori, placenta encapsulation seemed liked the perfect addition to her birthing plan. She was excited about the benefits she had discovered through friends and referrals from doulas in the area and went about finding someone who had the training in the Black Hills. After months of searching, Cori found an acupuncturist who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology and uses the Traditional Chinese Medicine approach to placenta encapsulation.
Overall, her pregnancy and post-pregnancy were positive and healthy experiences. She attributes a lot of her success and even comfort to the choices she made about her postnatal care. The biggest distinction she has noticed between her circle of women and herself is her ability to consistently produce breast milk. Cori says although this is her first child, she does attribute some of her success to her regular dose of placenta capsules.
Cori’s number one piece of advice when it comes to the topic of placenta encapsulation, “If you plan on breastfeeding, this is the way to go.”
Finding the Benefits
Some of the benefits women report regarding eating the placenta include increased breast milk, improved sleep patterns, reduction of hormone imbalances, and reduced chances of the mother experiencing postpartum depression.
There have been a few occurrences of negative side effects of consuming the placenta, one of which is infection resulting from improper handling of the placenta or not taking precautions during the encapsulation process.
The key to placenta encapsulation is having it done by someone who is knowledgeable about the process and walks you through what will happen on the day of the infant’s delivery. There are steps that are taken to ensure the proper distribution of the placenta in order to provide consistency and safety to the mother.
Is Placenta Encapsulation the Right Method for YOU?
But how do you know if placenta encapsulation is the right method for you? This method is ideal for women who may be squeamish about the idea of ingesting the placenta. Placenta encapsulation allows for the mother to avoid the “mess” of consuming the raw or cooked form. The placenta is dehydrated, ground, and distributed evenly among the capsules. The capsules are then packaged and delivered to the mother in a clean and orderly pill form.
This is also a great method if you simply wish to have consistency among the consumption timeline. Each capsule contains a certain amount of the placenta and the timeframe of the consumption is laid out by the expert (i.e. the doula, the midwife, etc.). It removes the guess work for the new mom. With that being said, placenta encapsulation also provides the option for the new mom to slowly reduce the number of pills she takes throughout the time period, as well, which also decreases the possibility of her experiencing withdrawal symptoms she may have experienced if she discontinued the intake of capsules abruptly.
Talk to a Professional:
If you are considering placenta encapsulation, it is important to discuss the option with a professional you trust. Your gynecologist, midwife, or another expert who specializes in post-childbirth supplement options will be able to guide you through the risks and benefits of placenta encapsulation and whether or not it is right for you! They will also be able to provide you with the different options available in preparing your placenta for capsules such as the Traditional Chinese Medicine approach or the current American approach.
Take your time in this process as it is important for you to find the professional you can trust, who is reliable, and who has the certifications and background knowledge required for placenta encapsulation. The right professional will move you towards success in this process, leaving you the time to prepare for your new baby!