Placenta Encapsulation

Placenta Encapsulation

The placenta: the powerful organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy, the life force behind a growing baby, providing nutrients and oxygen - the Tree of Life.

Firstly, lets look at how the placenta is formed. At the very beginning stages of pregnancy, when the embryo embeds into wall of the uterus, some of the cells move deeper into the wall to form the placenta.

The vein then carries nutrients of the blood from the mother through the placenta into the stomach area of the baby, carrying oxygen, glucose and nutrients.

It then has two arteries transferring the carbon dioxide and waste to the mothers bloody to dispose of through her urine.

This is the first time mother and baby work together for a common purpose.

And when this amazing organ detaches from the mother’s uterus and releases from her body after the birth of baby, what should we do with it?

Some people plant a tree (this is what I did with my second baby), some people freeze it, others leave it attached to baby and some encapsulate it.

Although there is nothing medically proven, more and more women these days are choosing to consume their placenta through capsules.

Some say it lowers the rate of postnatal depression, decreases chance of anaemia through the iron rich organ and potentially has the ability to reduce bleeding post birth, improve energy levels and even boost milk supply.

The placenta is steamed, dehydrated then blended before being ground into a powder.

So does it work?

Lucky for me, I asked my beautiful friend Michelle (mother, surrogate, doula, nursing student and much, much more) to answer a few of my questions.

Michelle’s unique experience with encapsulating her placentas for baby number two and three (surrogate) only lead to positive outcomes.

Although postpartum experiences were extremely different, both times the placenta encapsulation seemed to boost milk supply and fast track recovery.

Michelle had anaemia throughout all three of her pregnancies so it was important for her to help her body heal and supplement iron through the placenta.

We still can’t say for sure whether it was circumstantial or it was in fact due to the pills from the placenta that gave Michelle such a balanced postpartum experience.

Whether it’s purely psychological or not, it can be a way to show gratitude, reconnect and appreciate your body.

If you’re questioning whether placenta encapsulation is right for you, there doesn’t seem to be much evidence around not encapsulating.

Just remember to listen to your body, trust the signs, and choose for you, not anyone else.