When I first heard about the idea of having my placenta encapsulated, I was completely turned off. After the birth of my daughter Karis, my mother-in-law put my placenta in the freezer in case I wanted to plant it under a tree. No thank you. Months later I found it tucked away back in my freezer. I transferred it to the trash immediately. I didn’t care to have that strange blob of an organ anywhere near me. SO if you are in the same boat right now, I give you complete freedom to ignore this post…it took me two babies to finally convince myself to try it.
After experiencing difficult postpartum blues after the births of my first two children, I knew it was time to do a little more research into helping prevent this for baby number 3. After discussion with my midwives, I asked myself, “could it really hurt to try it?” Low and behold, God had provided for my hormonal needs in the very process of preparing a baby in my womb. As I began researching it further, I have been fascinated again and again at the way God has beautifully designed this organ not only for the nourishing of our baby but for the health and healing of a mother’s body.
For thousands of years, the Chinese have upheld the value of the placenta for the postpartum recovery process. After birth, the majority of new mothers experience blood loss, fatigue, and a crazy influx of pregnancy hormones. 80% of women experience some level of postpartum blues or depression. Full of life energy, the placenta aids in postpartum wellness by replenishing your system with natural iron & protein and helps reintroduce these essential hormones back into your system.
Benefits of Placenta Capsules
The known ingredients that give the placenta its healing properties are:
Gonadotrophin: the precursor to estrogen, progesterone and testosterone,
Prolactin: promotes lactation,
Oxytocin: for pain and bonding; produced during breastfeeding to facilitate bonding of mother and infant. In pharmaceutical form this is a very addictive drug because it promotes a feeling of connectedness with others,
Thyroid stimulating hormone: boosts energy and helps recovery from stressful events,
Cortisone: combats stress and unlocks energy stores,
Interferon: stimulates the immune system to protect against infections,
Prostaglandins: anti-inflammatory,
Hemoglobin: replenishes iron deficiency and anemia, a common postpartum condition,
Urokinase inhibiting factor and factor XIII: stops bleeding and enhances wound healing,
Gammaglobulin: immune booster that helps protect against postpartum infections.
(Source)
I have had a completely different recovery experience with my third child then previously. I have always struggled with poor milk supply and have been forced to supplement by six months of age. This time I have experienced a significant increase in my milk supply than ever before. My baby has certainly increased in weight at a more rapid rate and is sleeping more peacefully. I also had a much faster recovery time, less bleeding and stress, and increased energy. Bonding with my baby has been such a beautiful process. I feel a real special unique bond with this little one, which I find difficult to describe. It’s deeper and more precious than I have experienced.
I have certainly had a few boughts of emotional challenges, but it has been nothing like the weepy nature of my prior recoveries. I cannot express how much I have appreciated the benefits of taking my placenta tablets. Whenever I was having a rough emotional day, my husband would ask, “did you take your placenta pills today?” The answer was always “no”. We knew firsthand that it was having a significant impact on keeping me balanced emotionally.
My midwives even shared with me that the placenta can be very effective in helping balance your body during menopause. They recommended saving a portion of the tablets in the freezer for later use.
“Giving…placenta to a new mother following birth has become standard protocol among a growing number of midwives in the United States. By nourishing the blood and fluids, endocrine glands and organs, Placenta will …reduce or stop postpartum bleeding, speed up recovery, boost energy and relieve postpartum blues.” Homes, Peter. 1993. Jade Remedies, Snow Lotus Press, 352.
How can I get my placenta encapsulated?
Encapsulation is a simple process of cooking, dehydrating, and blending the placenta prior to putting it into capsules. In a similar manner as you would consume any other vitamin or capsule, you swallow these pills with your choice of liquid. You can encapsulate your own placenta through an easy step by step tutorial. This of course is a more frugal option. I personally recommend hiring a certified specialist to do it for you. Encapsulation costs anywhere between $150-250 dollars. In my case, I didn’t even have to see or touch the placenta at all. My midwife took it immediately after the birth and returned it the next day in capsule form. What could be easier? Since I was in recovery, the last thing I wanted to think about was encapsulating it myself.
To find a certified placenta specialist in your area, or to find out more information on this process, visit:
Placenta Bakery
placentanetwork.com
Google Maps Placenta Directory
Placenta Benefits Specialists
International Directory
If you are having a hospital birth, learn how to get your placenta released here.
How do I take them and for how long?
It is recommended to take two tablets each day with meals for as long as you feel it necessary. I took mine daily for six weeks postpartum and continue to take a tablet or two on emotionally trying days. Store the rest in the freezer and use as needed for dealing with PMS or menopause.
Now this may have been just one of several factors that played into my superior recovery process, but taking these pills has not hurt anything, and what a blessing to see it reused for such a useful purpose. I have had the most peaceful and enjoyable babymoon with this baby then ever before. My husband and I would agree that it certainly was worth every penny to give it a try!
For further tips on postpartum recovery, check out Practical Tips for Postpartum.
I have long since passed having children (4 of them total!) with a hysterectomy and around the corner from menopause. However, I find this very interesting and never heard of such a thing when I was having babies. I will say I never suffered much from PPD or had many milk issues, but energy was always the doozie, esp. after adding yet one more child to the brood. This could have been very helpful! When you think about it, animals tend to eat the afterbirth after having their litter, so there must be a natural & beneficial reason for it.
I wonder, though, when the placenta is cooked, that doesn’t kill the nutrients in it? I know cooking food kills a certain amount of nutritional value. I am NOT suggesting to eat it raw. I’m just wondering if there is a better way to get more value from it.
Also, I just wanted to add that I don’t find this the least bit disgusting. If most of us knew what was in our regular food, that should disgust us. I agree that this is a bonus gift from God and nature, however one chooses to view it. After all, nature was given to us as a gift from God, so to me it’s all good!
Tonya, I like your thinking. Apparently there is either sheep or goat placenta available for purchase out there somewhere, which some placenta encapsulation specialists will recommend for women who are unable to encapsulate their own placenta for whatever reason. They are not as good as human placentas, but still help some. The placenta contains all the hormones your body is lacking after birth, so even if some nutrients are killed in the process of steaming/cooking the placenta, the hormones are still there.
That is what postpartum and menopausal women need most to help with energy and mood swings. The more I learn, the more exciting and natural it all seems. Glad to see a like-minded person. 
There are two ways to prepare the placenta for encapsulation-One is the Traditional Chinese Method (TCM) where you gently steam the placenta first, with warming herbs, dehydrate it, then encapsulate it. The other way is the raw method where you don’t steam it, you just dehydrate it at a low temp to preserve all the enzymes etc. I”ve prepared it both ways for mamas, but personally I prefer the raw method. Placenta tinctures are also a great way to preserve the placenta. It lasts indefinitely and is very useful during menopause when your placenta capsules are probably long gone:)
All mammals eat their placenta, except the marsupial-who’s body reabsorbs it!
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Hi, my son is 8 months old. My placenta is still in the freezer. Since it has been in there for 8 months is it too late to have it encapsulated? My emotions have been on an extreme rollercoaster and I do believe my hormones are way out of whack. I’m willing to try anything! And what a blessing that I haven’t thrown out my placenta yet! Still worth it to have it done after 8 months? Would it still work? Thanks!
Look into finding a placenta encapsulation specialist in your area – they would be able to tell you if it’s still viable after 8 months in the freezer – my guess is yes. Try this site to find a specialist: http://placentabenefits.info/specialists.asp
Hope it works for you. I just had my fifth child, but this is my first time with placenta encapsulation. It has worked wonders! Hope it helps you too!
Yes! Your placenta can still be encapsulated. The placenta to the first born son has higher amounts of hormones thus being even more effective. Hope this brings you some healing!
Celeste
a big difference. Just had my third child. I feel great! plenty of milk, and motivation. One of the smartest things i have done, others can think what they will, it works wonders for me
HI,
I did my own encapsulation, but didn’t get to it until 10 days postpartum (I had frozen the placenta). Do you think it is too late to start taking the capsules at this point? Just curious if you had a thought on this. Also I have heard that you shouldn’t take them if you get sick, like a cold or the flu or an infection. Is this true? Thanks.
Geneva,
It is never too late to start taking placenta pills – especially on days when you are moody or later when your period returns.
It IS true that you should not take the pills if you have a cold, flu or any virus or bacterial infection, because the pills cause an added heating effect on the body, making the infection go deeper and last longer. Start taking them again when you know you are over the illness. Hope this helps. (Source: postpartumpeace.com)
~Bernadine
I, too, have a story almost identical to yours. After my first two children, and suffering PPD after their births, I was told to look into placenta encapsulation. I did my research and decided to go for it. Wow, that a difference it made! It didn’t solve all of my problems, but it impacted my postpartum experience for the better. The way, way better. I am also a strong believer that this is a gift from God directly for mothers after their births- the placenta is a life-giving source for our babies in utero and, for those of us who choose to accept it, also a life-giving source for mothers postpartum. I’ll never look at my placenta the same way after knowing and personally experiencing what an invaluable blessing it is. Thanks for sharing your story!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on internet.
Regards
Hello! I am currently 31 weeks pregnant with baby number two and I’ve been researching thi topic a lot. I am very very interested in trying this and it seems to be very intelligent design. My struggle comes in when I think about the fact that the placenta is in fact a human organ…which makes me wonder if it’s cannibalism. If it’s cannibalism, isn’t it forbidden? But if it’s wrong, why would it be so seemingly intentionally designed? Clearly you feel that it is ok, and that is where I lean…but I’m hoping that since you are also a Christian, perhaps you could share with me any feelings or conclusions you and your husband have come to on this specific topic…it would be much appreciated! Thanks!!!
you might look into the site “postpartumpeace.com” – she addresses this in an article on her site – how placenta consumption is not cannibalism.
Blessings.
Hi Lindsay,
I recently learned about the placenta encapsulation and I have to admit, I’m still uncertain. I am pregnant with our 2nd child and seriously looking into it though. With my first I had PPD but didn’t get it taken care of until he was 6 months old and I feel like I missed out on SO MUCH! Its hard to describe unless you’ve been there and if I could go back and change things, I would. We have a great relationship now but I really wish I could have enjoyed those days more when he was a little baby. Thank you for sharing!
Lindsay I’m so sorry you’ve had to endure such criticism from others. Thank u for sharing this! Months back I read this post and it was the first I ever heard about it. My husband and I researched and prayed about it and decided to do it too. My husband actually did the entire encapsulation process for me (to save us money). Yes hes amazing. Wow has it been a blessing! Thank you!
Paul says, “All things are permissible for me, but not all are beneficial.” Clearly, this is beneficial to a great number of women. If Christian women are comfortable/do not feel conviction over this practice, what business is it of anyone else to condemn it or throw stones?
Furthermore, it is clearly stated that, for those of you who are freaked out by the practice, the placenta is cooked, therefore there is no raw blood floating around in the pills.
I think this kind of debate on such an issue is what frustrates and turns away a great many people from Jesus. This woman (the blogger) clearly loves Jesus, and so I’m certain that if she felt any conviction over this matter, she wouldn’t be consuming the placenta. Get off your high horses and let scripture and the Holy Spirit do His job — a job that is only His, not any preacher or writer’s.