How can Placenta Encapsulation enhance my postpartum experience?

The hormone drop that we experience in postpartum is considered to be the single largest sudden hormone change in the shortest amount of time for any human being, ever to be experienced in their lifetime. The placenta, having been the divine connection between you and baby inside the womb, is an incredible source of hormones, minerals and amino acids. Having nurtured and supporting the healthy growth of your babe, it can now be an incredible way to gently nurture yourself in those first 6 weeks.

The benefits that have been reported by mothers on placenta encapsulation include improved mood, prevention of postpartum depression, restoring the balance of hormones and nutrients, higher energy levels, quicker recovery from birth, increased breastmilk supply, and reduced bleeding to name a few.

What a beautiful way to be nourished in your postpartum.

What are the methods used to consume the Placenta?

There are a number of methods to placenta consumption, starting with raw consumption like in a smoothie or directly placing small pieces in your mouth and swallowing. Then there are placenta encapsulation options such as the Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory (or Traditional Method) where the placenta is steamed with tonifying ingredients such as ginger, lemon and hot peppers prior to being dehydrated. Those who choose this method tend to feel a more ‘gentle’ effect from their capsules. The Raw Start Method skips the steaming part entirely and is dehydrated raw. Those who choose this method tend to feel the essence of the placenta is preserved and enzymes are retained, resulting in a more 'potent' effect.

Another way to consume the placenta is within a placenta tincture which is made using a small piece of the placenta and 80 proof alcohol which is steeped for 6 weeks from preparation date. A few drops under the tongue or diluted in water is all that is needed. I like to think of a tincture as a beautifully unique remedy of your very own to be used during times of stress and transition throughout your life - as the bottle will literally last your entire lifetime.

In my practice, I offer both placenta encapsulation options as well as a placenta tincture.

I’m not sure what would be the right method for me?

Let’s chat. I am always here to talk through your options and assist you in making a decision that is right for you! I also offer Half and Half which combines the two methods for Traditional and Raw preparation, allowing for you to be intuitively guided by what level of support you may be calling for on any given day. The capsules are clearly marked in separate jars.

How many capsules do I get from my Placenta?

Every placenta is incredibly unique so it is difficult to advise an exact number of capsules that can be prepared. However, I use size 0 capsules and generally there is between 140 - 220 capsules from a single placenta. Some placentas have yielded over 300 capsules.

Do Placenta capsules have an unpleasant smell/taste?

Placenta capsules are like taking any other quality multivitamin or mineral. I don’t mask the flavour by any means and I personally wouldn’t describe the smell/taste as unpleasant. I would describe the capsules as having a natural smell/taste.

One of the benefits is increased milk supply, what if this becomes excessive?

I advise to follow your intuition and your judgement when it comes to dosage of the capsules. No one knows your body better than you do. If you believe the capsules could be effectively causing an over supply in your breast milk, adjust your dosage down or stop taking the capsules for a day or two to see if you notice a difference. If it is the capsules, your body will be quite responsive to the adjustment.

Are there any reasons I shouldn’t encapsulate my placenta?

Yes, there are a number of contraindications that would deem a placenta unable to be encapsulated:

• Chorioamnionitis (infection of the membranes).  

• Maternal infection during or immediately following labour and birth.

• Neonatal infection within the first 48 hours postpartum. 

• For any of the above scenarios, it is possible your care provider would send your placenta for laboratory testing as this may give them some further information about the infection. Once a placenta has been sent to a laboratory for testing for any reason, it is unable to be used for encapsulation due to the chemicals used in preservation.

• Improper storage  of the placenta - not placed on ice within 2 hours of the birth of the placenta, refrigerated longer than 48 hours before being frozen or the placenta not kept under 4° C for the entire storage.

  (Storage is an important factor in processing the placenta and I provide thorough information on how to do this safely).

How do you get the Placenta to be able to encapsulate it for me?

It all begins in pregnancy and planning for your birth preparation. I would suggest having a conversation with your care provider and including in your birth plans your intention of keeping your placenta. Please know it is never necessary for you to provide a reason for wanting to take your placenta home with you (if birthing in hospital). It is likely you will receive some handouts from your care provider on taking your placenta home as well as completing a Placenta Release form. The next steps are to communicate your plans with your birthing partner/support before you go into labour! Provide them with my contact details so they can inform me when you are in labour and this will allow me to put some plans in place around needing to pick the placenta up. If you are birthing in hospital, your birth partner/support will need to prepare an esky with ice packs to take to the hospital with you. Your birth partner will then inform me once the placenta has been birthed and is ready to be picked up. My collection hours are between 9am and 9pm any day of the week. If you birth outside of these hours, it is imperative the placenta is kept cold/on ice until collection.

Are you qualified to perform Placenta Encapsulation?

Yes, I am qualified. It is important to note however that in Australia there isn’t a regulatory body that governs placenta encapsulation. Anyone can encapsulate placentas. However, I chose to become a certified Placenta Arts Specialist with APPA because simply knowing ‘how to’ encapsulate placentas wasn’t enough knowledge for me. Integrity is one of my highest values, so this was a no-brainer . I wanted to know that I was doing it in the most safest way for my clients and for myself. In completing this 12 month course, I have learnt so much more than placenta encapsulation and have truly fell in love with this incredible, life giving organ.

Placenta Encapsulation/Consumption is not for me, what other ways can I honour my Placenta?

Absolutely. Placenta Encapsulation may not be for everyone, but I always say - don’t let your placenta be an afterthought! Even if you don’t plan on using it for capsules, it is an absolute tragedy to let it go to (hospital) waste. There are so many beautiful ways you can honour the placenta in your postpartum. You may have heard of a lotus birth, or even a partial lotus birth where the cord remains intact until after the placenta is birthed. Many cultures also participate in a burial ritual to honour the life force of the placenta, returning it to the earth. Another ritual to use in returning it to the earth is with Placenta Dust (dehydrated placenta not used in capsules). These can be equally beautiful acts of a slow, intentional postpartum.