If you are both pregnant, and on the internet, you’ve probably at least heard of placenta encapsulation. If you’re like a lot of people, your reaction was likely one of two things: either “Placenta… what?” or, “Gross!”. A lot of Nanaimo families contact us to learn more about placenta encapsulation- here’s the scoop.
Placenta encapsulation is the process of cleaning, dehydrating, grinding, and encapsulating your placenta into pills that you take regularly during your postpartum period, just like a vitamin. It may sound pretty new-age and extreme, but placenta consumption is actually a traditional Chinese process that has been practiced for thousands of years! Some of the amazing benefits of placenta encapsulation may include:
- increased milk supply
- replenished iron stores
- increased energy levels
- may help your uterus heal and return to non-pregnant state
- reduction in postpartum bleeding
- a shorter recovery time
- decreased likelihood or severity of postpartum depression
- a general feeling of well-being
Sounds great, right? Your placenta is chock full of large levels of hormones such as oxytocin, POEF (Placental Opioid Enhancing Factor), and prolactin that, when consumed, can help you to balance your emotions, recover faster, and generally just feel better after the birth of your baby.
Placenta encapsulation may be beneficial to you, whether this is your first baby, your fifth, you’re planning a c-section, epidural, or induction, or have taken medications during your pregnancy. And no, it doesn’t taste bad (or, at all!). Generally, you’ll receive anywhere from 150-300 capsules, which you can begin taking as soon as you receive them (generally before three days postpartum). You can use the capsules as desired, but most people start out by taking 2 pills, three times a day, and lowering the amount taken as desired and as they recover from birth. Some people have told us that they’ve saved 10-20 capsules for their first postpartum period, and that they found their menstrual symptoms to be less intense and more manageable with the help of their placenta.
You don’t have much to lose with placenta encapsulation, and you’ll only get one shot to do it! If you’re interested in learning more about placenta encapsulation, or want to book your services, let’s talk!
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