Eat Placenta

We can do what with our Placenta? That's right. The important organ that surrounds your baby to protect her and pass her vital nutrients can be encapsulated and then ingested. But why would we do this? This is a question I think all mother's to be should at least learn a little about. Advocates of placenta consumption say it combats postpartum depression, boosts milk supply, and restores iron levels. Not every mother suffers from postpartum depression. However, if you can take something natural like your placenta that is unique to your body and your baby, rather than some medicine with some possibly strong side effects, why not give this a try? It is not too expensive and usually cost around $200 for about 200 capsules and you have to find an expert who can handle (pick up) and preserve your placenta quickly. Tradition and holistic medical customs embrace a number of potential advantages which come from ingesting the placenta.

Among these possible benefits are:

Increase in CRH, a stress-reducing hormone

A decrease in postpartum levels

Restoration of iron levels in the blood

Increase in milk production

Also good for women suffering from menopause

I have also found that in some cultures the people believe that the placenta is that of the babies twin and must be cared for properly and respectfully. For many Indigenous cultures, the placenta is a living being. In Egypt, the placenta was considered by many to be a child’s secret helper. Some Icelandic and Balinese cultures see the placenta as a child’s guardian angel. In many traditions, people believe that improper handling of the placenta will affect the fate of the mother or child—or that the placenta’s condition is an omen for the child’s abilities or health. It is very sacred.

Of all that is fascinating about postpartum placentophagy, the most fascinating perhaps is how relatively new a practice it is in the Western Medicine. However, I am pleased to find the traditions are growing among the western medicine population.

Most non-human mammals eat their placentas after giving birth and I think if you pay close enough attention you will see why. I found that in Chinese traditional medicine for centuries used human placenta to treat kidney and liver ailments or low energy, though not in postpartum mothers. I have also found some Scholars have tracked down discussions of placentas as postpartum medicine in medical journals as far back as 1902. Shockingly, eating placentas post-birth appears to have started only in the US in the late 1960 s or early 1970 s along side midwife assisted home births. My third birth was a Water Birth and let me tell you, It was absolutely amazing! For some reason my third time around I told myself, "I need everything to be as natural as possible and as it should be. That being said as I was on my search for these things, I came across placenta encapsulation. For some reason I did not hear about it with my first Two pregnancies and it was not mentioned within all of my Doctor visits. I also did not suffer from postpartum depression, one common thing placenta encapsulation is widely used for.

Did I see a difference? Well, my whole entire home birth was magical and went a lot simpler then my procedure filled hospital births. I did feel like magic was all around me and my milk was flowing in perfectly. Was it because of the Placenta Encapsulations? I really can not be 100% sure. Would I encapsulate placenta again or recommend it? Yes! I most likely would because I had no negative side effects. Some side effects mentioned by other mother's were dizziness, but I find that this side effect is far less severe then lets say an epidurals side effects.

Look. Every Birth is magical and Unique if you don't ingest your placenta, It's completely your choice but at least it is a possibility and has been done.

I hope you enjoyed my article. Please check out some of my other's here:

Water Birth N02 Toilet What really works

I wrote this because my experience with placenta encapsulation and water birth was such a positive experience for me and not being very informed my first pregnancy, my hopes is to inform and/or inspire others to do research, educate and open themselves to all their options and possibilities for an all natural wonderful Spiritual birthing experience.

Until next time.

Yours truly,

-Ashley M.