What is Placenta Encapsulation?
Placenta Encapsulation is a process in which immediately after the birth the placenta is prepared, dehydrated, ground into a course powder and then placed into capsules to be consumed. You can hire a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist to do this.
What is the placenta?
During pregnancy the placenta supplies your unborn baby with oxygen and nutrition.Your placenta is an endocrine organ, producing hormones essential for a healthy baby and lactation.
Your placenta retains these essential hormones after birth.
How can ingestion of the placenta benefit the mother postpartum?
- It will nourish your baby and smooth the transition between pregnancy and post-partum.
- Fluctuation of hormonal balance is reduced, particularly effective when ingested.
- The hormones in the placenta have been conditioned to perfectly suit the mother’s body.
- A reduced risk of developing postpartum depression due to increased iron levels and less fatigue (PPD is often caused by Iron deficiency and fatigue).
- The process of lactation flow is improved and therefore enhances breastfeeding.
- The minerals, including protein increase the new mothers energy levels, reducing fatigue which potentially could cause PPD.
- The smoother transition and ingestion of minerals increases ‘happiness’ of mother making her less likely to become emotionally distressed.
- The hormones ingested aide your uterus in returning to its pre-pregnancy size.
- Mothers have reported that the process has resolved anaemia symptoms
- Postnatal bleeding is reduced.
- Increase in libido
- Improved energy levels and a feeling of ‘normality’ sooner after birth.
The placenta provides the following nutrients, essential to postpartum recovery:
- Natural iron (more effective than supplements)
- Protein (helping the body to rebuild and restore postpartum)
- Minerals
Obviously every women’s experience of pregnancy and birth are unique. For this reason the benefits of the placenta encapsulation are bound to be varied. Your placenta contains hormones that only your body has created, specifically catered for your body. Therefore, your body utilises these hormones more effectively than it would with synthetic supplements.
The placenta contains the following bio-specific hormones and chemicals:
- Gonadotrophin – The precursor to oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone
- Prolactin – the hormone involved in stimulating milk production, enhances maternal instinct
- Oxytocin – the hormone of love, bonding and protection. Promotes feeling of love and bonding between mother and baby. Oxytocin aides the uterus to return to normal size whilst reducing post birth bleeding, decreases pain, counteracts the production of stress hormones such as cortisol, which, in-turn enhances the breastfeeding let-down reflex.
- Prostaglandins – Anti-inflammatory hormones regulate the uterine contractions after birth and helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size
- Placental Opioid-Enhancing Factor (POEF) – this stimulates the production of your body’s natural opioids, including endorphins, reduces pain and increases well being
- Interferon and Gammaglobulin – both hormones stimulate the immune system to protect against infection.
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone – Regulates the thyroid gland, boosting the balancing metabolism and every levels.
So, what is the process of placenta encapsulation?
Placenta Encapsulation is a process in which immediately after the birth the placenta is prepared, dehydrated, ground into a course power and then placed into capsules to be consumed. You can hire a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist to do this.
A Placenta Encapsulation Specialist works with new mums to help with their recovery following pregnancy and birth.
It is vital to hire a trained Placenta Encapsulations Specialist who has the following qualifications:
- Trained Placenta Encapsulation Specialist.
- Blood Borne Pathogens and infection control for Placenta Encapsulation
- Safe food handling certificate.
There are two methods of encapsulation; the Traditional Chinese Method and the Raw Method.
What does the process entail?
The placenta encapsulation specialist would arrange to pick up the placenta as soon after birth as possible to allow them to produce your capsules and return them to you within 24-48 hours. There are a variety of options with some of them offering additional services.
Information on Placenta Encapsulation provided by Kate Hayes ([email protected]) from Beautiful Beginnings Perth
The directory of Australia wide verified Placenta Encapsulation Specialists.