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!”.

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 Placenta-Encapsulation-Pillsthousands of years! New parents may choose to encapsulate their placenta in hopes of experiencing:

  • increased milk supply
  • replenished iron stores
  • increased energy levels
  • supported uterine healing
  • reduction in postpartum bleeding
  • shorter recovery time
  • decreased likelihood 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, may help you to balance your emotions, recover faster, and generally just feel better after the birth of your baby.

Placenta encapsulation can be a part of any birth experience, 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 (it actually doesn’t have a taste at all!).

At Harbour City Doulas, our placenta encapsulation specialists are triple-certified in placenta encapsulation, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Safety Control, and Foodsafe handling. When you choose Harbour City Doulas for your encapsulation services, you’re choosing the highest-trained professionals that put your family’s safety and well-being first.

You don’t have much to lose with placenta encapsulation, and you’ll only get one shot to do it! If you’re looking for placenta encapsulation in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Parksville, or Qualicum, or just want to ask some questions about placenta encapsulation, get in touch with us today. We can’t wait to support you!