the encapsulation process

After you deliver your placenta it needs to be kept on ice or in a refrigerator and encapsulated within the first four days (you would need to freeze it if the placenta is being encapsulated after day four).  If you’re giving birth in a hospital make sure and remind the staff that you plan on taking it home. Bringing a cooler with ice and taking it home to your refrigerator as soon as possible is recommended. 

 

I encapsulate in your home and bring all the necessary encapsulation equipment. What I need from you is a completely clean and empty sink, a little counter space, one stove burner and an electrical outlet. I also ask that you keep all pets in a separate area when I am encapsulating. Also, if you are ill, please let me know and we'll reschedule. The process takes about 3 hours total and is split up in two consecutive days. I bleach all my equipment after every use and I have training in blood borne pathogens (OSHA certified) and I also have my Iowa Food Handler's Certificate. 

         

I typically adhere to the Traditional Chinese Method (TCM) of preparation. First the placenta is steamed with lemon, jalapeño and ginger.  Then only the placenta is put into a dehydrator for at least 18 hours.  The following day the placenta is ground and distributed into capsules.  I also offer the raw method, which involves skipping the steaming part and dehydrating it raw. With both methods, when properly stored, the capsules can be used long-term (even frozen for future use). You can begin taking the capsules right away for maximum postpartum benefits. 

 

placenta power

Quite simply, your placenta is amazing. During pregnancy it provides oxygen and nutrients to your sweet baby, fights against infections and provides hormones to support a healthy pregnancy. After delivery, when consumed, it helps the new mama by enhancing her milk supply, balancing hormones and increasing energy. Placenta encapsulation provides the most palatable and noninvasive way to consume the placenta since it provides pure placenta in an easy to take capsule.

 

For thousands of years Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has embraced the placenta as a powerful and important part of the postpartum healing process. The placenta is full of Qi, life energy, which aids in postpartum wellness by replenishing your system with natural iron and protein and helps reintroduce these essential hormones back into your system. 

Here are some of the known elements that give the placenta its healing properties...   

 

-Gonadotrophin - the precursor to estrogen, progesterone and testosterone  

-Prolactin - promotes lactation

-Oxytocin - produced during breastfeeding and promotes bonding of mother and infant

-Interferon - stimulates the immune system to protect against infection

-Thyroid Stimulating Hormone - boosts energy and helps recover from stress

-Cortisone - combats stress and unlocks stores of energy

-Prostaglandins - anti-inflammatory

-Hemoglobin - replenishes iron deficiency and anemia

-Gammaglobulin -  immune booster that helps protect against postpartum infections

-Urokinase Inhibiting Factor & Factor XIII - stops bleeding and enhances wound healing

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research

Check out the definition of human placentophagy aka consumption of the placenta.

Here's an article that talks about how encapsulation helps with mom's postpartum health. 

This article on human maternal placentophagy is extremely scientific and insighfull (thank you Laura Snyder).

The Hormone's Matter article on encapsulation and postpartum health.

This one's from USA today about the benefits of placenta comsumption.

More to come...