Placenta Encapsulation?

[kellsbelles]

Is any one planning to, has done/know someone who has or is considering this? It is included in my doula package but I am not sure about it. No judgement, but it just seems a little much for me and I'm not sure I would even want this service. Would love to hear other opinions. Thanks!

[imimahoney]

Several moms on the April board did it. If you want to post there asking they would certainly give you their experiences. Everything I've read from them has been very positive.

[liverandonions]

I'm thinking about it. I have a friend from highschool who does it as her job. I didn't have good milk production with my daughter and would love that this time. Also, I'm in the very early stages but my mood sucks with my daughter right now because I'm so tired and she's been a pain. I'm worried about how tired and snappy I'll be with a newborn. The encapsulation is supposed to help with energy levels and mood stabilization.

[meltoine]

I had PPD after my first. I had my placenta encapsulated after my second and took the pills for several weeks. I had no PPD that time, but the whole experience was worlds different so I can't say for sure how much difference the pills made and how much was situational. If it's already included, I'd be inclined to just do it and take the pills if you feel like you want/need to, ditch them if you don't.

[achi]

I'm thinking about it. I've seen two friends go through pretty bad PPD and if doing this can help avoid/lessen it, then I'm totally willing to do it.

[sarahsas]

It grosses me out a bit but I am really curious/interested anyway!

[pooh8402]

*puke*

I just read an article in my professional journal that says they can't find any empirical data on the benefits of placenta consumption. It looked at several studies done worldwide.

[Deleted]

Totally not for me.

[krystee]

I would personally feel one tiny step away from cannibalism, but I am easily grossed out. In all seriousness, I would do it if there were proven medical benefits, but the information I have seen says there isn't much evidence that it does anything beyond provide a placebo effect. I have no issues if others want to do it, and I wouldn't judge (although I do judge turning it into spaghetti sauce. Blech.)

[sparkythelawyer]

I like the comment about being a vitamin dense organ. I think I'd rather focus on keeping my nutrition strong than eating my placenta.

[pinkpeony08]

I'm considering doing it with this pregnancy. There isn't much research available about the benefits, but I've really only heard positive things from people who have done it. I would love to have an energy and mood boost to help with the wild hormone adjustments post part. I haven't officially decided yet though... We are just about the only species that does not consume their placenta after delivery...

[pooh8402]

Jan 25, 2015 21:30:34 GMT -5 pinkpeony08 said:

I'm considering doing it with this pregnancy. There isn't much research available about the benefits, but I've really only heard positive things from people who have done it. I would love to have an energy and mood boost to help with the wild hormone adjustments post part. I haven't officially decided yet though... We are just about the only species that does not consume their placenta after delivery...

Yea, my articles addressed that too

[pinkpeony08]

Do you mind sharing the reference, Pooh8402?? I have access to professional medical journals at work and have had trouble finding any good research.... Thanks!

[pooh8402]

I wish I could. I'm looking online right now using my AWHONN membership, but I think I've thrown away my journal already to find it for sure. I can check at work, if/when I have time...

and re: not finding a lot of research, that's part of the problem. there ISN'T a lot of research. what little there is, says its more of a placebo effect. plus, the inherent design of the studies would be self-selecting, which skews data.

[pinkpeony08]

Or at least which journal and was it a really recent edition? I can look too.

[pooh8402]

I'm trying to remember that too. I read it at work. We leave the journals out for about a month then toss them. I read about it over Christmas. like I said, I'll look but I can't make promises.

[pinkpeony08]

No problem, just curious.

[pooh8402]

if you have access, you can always use scholar.google.com. you can find articles that way, then use your access to get past the abstracts to the actual studies.

[kams]

I had a rough year after I had DD1, and I was fortunate to have life pretty good. PPD, and even your run-of-the-mill baby blues, along with hormone regulation, sleep deprivation, breastfeeding, your changing body - it is no joke.

As long as studies don't show that it is dangerous, I wouldn't personally write it off. If it might work, and even if the placebo effect works for you, it is worth it IMO. If it is included anyway, I would do it, and you can always dump them if you don't want to use them after all.

I do understand the ick-factor. But, I find it much less gross when I think of how much better life might be with DD2 if some of those things I dealt with before are mitigated.

Anecdotes, I know.

[CajunShrimp]

We are doing it for #2. I am doing it to increase my milk supply, because I had such a hard time making enough milk with #1. My OB is supportive and said she had patients that had very good results from it.

[msamyfarrahfowler]

Jan 25, 2015 21:30:34 GMT -5 pinkpeony08 said:

I'm considering doing it with this pregnancy. There isn't much research available about the benefits, but I've really only heard positive things from people who have done it. I would love to have an energy and mood boost to help with the wild hormone adjustments post part. I haven't officially decided yet though... We are just about the only species that does not consume their placenta after delivery...

And dogs lick their buttholes. Just sayin'...