#placentaencapsulation

#Repost @motherhoodunderstood • • • • • • Isn’t that crazy? (No pun intended) PPD is the most common complication of childbirth. Not blood loss, not infection, not placenta tears, not vagina issues. Depression trumps all. So basically, the greatest threat to moms after childbirth is a crippling mental disease that can not only jeopardize their lives and the lives of their children but is difficult to diagnose and is often overlooked or downplayed. WTF?!?! We have to do a better job letting moms, extended families and those in postpartum care roles understand how prevalent and insidious the danger is here. I was so lucky to survive my childbirth “complication.” But lots of other moms haven’t. Why don’t people ask how Mom is doing? Take a break from gushing over the baby and ask Mom, “How are YOU doing?” And tag a mom who’s a survivor below. And if it’s you, tag yourself mama. You’re a freakin warrior.

Placenta Services Myths BUSTED: Part TWO

by Andrea

Last week we discussed the first 5 common myths that surround the practice of placentophagy, the act of consuming one’s placenta. If you missed it, you can view it here! Today we will uncover and debunk the next 5! Let’s continue the conversation! Connect with us and leave comments or questions about placenta services.

MYTH #6: It’s a FAD Although it has been suggested that placenta capsules were made popular by Kourtney Kardashian (yes, I was actually told this by a nurse when picking up a client’s placenta!) the sacred practice of Placentophagy has a long history of offering benefits to mothers around the world. BUSTED: For many years new mothers around the world have benefitted from Placentophagy. The human practice itself finds its deepest roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine where it is considered a sacred medicine for balancing and restoring Qi, ones ‘life energy’ or ‘life force’. Although it is difficult to identify when the practice of giving back to ones body and being began in humans, we have enough evidence, both anecdotal and research based, to say with confidence that it is not a fad.

MYTH #7: It is NOT an option with Cesarean Birth

If you are wondering whether or not your planned (or unplanned) Cesarean Birth has eliminated your opportunity to enjoy the benefits of Placenta Services I am excited to tell you that it has not! BUSTED: Cesarean Birth, put simply, is birth! Birthing your baby(ies) in this way does not change the fact that your amazing placenta is still your amazing placenta! I always encourage my clients to inform their care providers (both medical and non-medical) of their wishes to utilize placenta services and this is especially important should you have a planned or unplanned Cesarean. Regardless of how your baby enters this world, most hospitals require you to sign a placenta release form either prior to or post delivery and it is often best to inform the nursing staff on duty of your intentions to have your placenta released to you upon arrival. This allows for your wishes to be clearly communicated and gets any paperwork out of the way giving you the opportunity to all the sweet new moments with your baby.

MYTH #8: Placenta Encapsulation is something you can DIY I am all for a good DIY and a quick search on Pinterest will offer you some options on what you need to encapsulate your own placenta however processing your placenta is one DIY attempt that is best left to a professional. BUSTED: There are a number of reasons why it’s best to leave your placenta processing and services to a professional. One main reason is because they are trained and experienced in what a healthy (and unsafe for that matter) placenta looks, feels and…smells like. They are skilled and aware of all the strict parameters of proper sanitization, cleaning, dehydrating and encapsulating and know what to look for to ensure that your capsules and services are safe for your consumption. The equipment required to process your placenta safely (please no oven dehydrating!) is extensive and costly and will likely cost you more than the investment you make to work with a specialist. And most importantly, processing your placenta properly from start to finish requires a significant time investment, time that you will likely rather spend relaxing and bonding with your new baby.  

 MYTH #9: Placenta Services are supported by Midwives only, not by Obstetricians (OBs) Under the care of a Midwife? You are bound to be informed of the amazing benefits of Placenta services! Under the care of an OB, better luck next time! BUSTED: Although it is more common for Midwives to be more open and supportive of their client’s choices, especially when they deviate from what is considered ‘the norm’ in the medical community, there is no hard line drawn in the sand on placenta services. I have come across several Midwives who are in complete support and have informed their clients of the benefits of placenta services and some who are more weary and encourage their clients to conduct their own research. I have also come across very supportive OBs who feel it is their patient’s choice and see the value in what holds a degree of medical reasoning: that the nutrients, vitamins and hormones that pass through the placenta must also, to a certain degree, remain in the placental tissues themselves. It is important to inform your care provider of your wishes and equally important to be prepared that they may or may not be informed or supportive. Starting the dialogue with them and bringing any concerns forward to a trained Placenta Specialist is the best way to ensure that you are well informed and confident in your decision.

MYTH #10: If you are Vegetarian or Vegan you cannot benefit from Placenta Capsules You might be surprised how often this question is raised by concerned Moms-to-be who want to ensure that they would not be bending any of their ethical or lifestyle choices by exploring the option of consuming their placenta. Rest assured, no animals were harmed in the making of your placenta, in fact the cutest little baby just so happened to be the result! BUSTED: Most people choose to adopt a Vegetarian or Vegan lifestyle for a number of different reasons and most often to prevent the exploitation and commodification of animals, for their health and for environmental purposes. Because your placenta is an organ created by you to sustain the life of your baby and is naturally discarded no humans or animals are harmed in the process. In fact, by choosing placenta services you are closing the life circle of your pregnancy and honouring the life sustaining organ that was the womb buddy to your baby while he or she grew healthy and strong. There is no better way to honour this important part of your pregnancy by giving back its nourishing benefits to yourself postpartum.

Placenta Services Myths BUSTED: Part 1

by Andrea

Placenta services are growing in popularity in Canada and North America (yay!) however many Moms-to-be may still unaware of the benefits they provide, what services are available and whether it is right for them. In my experience working as a Placenta Specialist, I have had the opportunity to hear a wide variety of very interesting comments and concerns about placenta services. I’ve compiled my top 10 FAQ questions from clients to help shed some light on the subject of placenta services. Let’s debunk some myths about placentophagy, the act of consuming one’s placenta, set the record straight and uncover the amazing benefits of placenta services. If you heard of or have considered placenta services for yourself, I bet at least one of these myths has crossed your mind!

MYTH #1: There is a chance you will get someone else’s Placenta

If there is one question or concern that comes up more than the others in a client consultation it is this: “Is there a chance I will get someone else’s placenta?” If you have considered encapsulation or services and this has crossed your mind, rest assured you are not alone! BUSTED: Although a very valid concern, any reputable and experienced Placenta Encapsulation Specialist will have safeguards in place to ensure that your placenta, and only your placenta, is returned back to you safe and sound. The most valuable of these safeguards is appropriately spacing clients based on their estimated due dates to avoid overlap and thus avoiding having more than one placenta in their possession at any given time. For this reason, it is a great idea to secure services for your due date as soon as possible! If it remains a concern of yours many Encapsulators, who typically encapsulate in their own work space, also offer their clients the option to encapsulate in their own home ensuring that your placenta does not leave your possession. This option is typically offered at a small additional fee.

MYTH #2: There are A LOT of risks to consuming your Placenta Although Placentophagy (the act of consuming ones own placenta) and it’s benefits are slowly becoming a more well-known and sought after practice in North America it is still associated with plenty of inaccurate information and taboos.

BUSTED: Like any supplement or natural remedy, placentophagy does have its own associated risks. With that being said, those risks are minimal and can being largely eliminated by working with a certified and experienced Placenta Specialist. The biggest risks associated with having your placenta encapsulated, is related to improper processing and dehydration conditions, ie: cleanliness and sanitation practices and thorough dehydration. Any reputable Placenta Specialist will have clear and strict sanitation protocols and will be processing within industry safe dehydration times and temperatures. There are a few contraindications to placentophagy, some of which are controlled by you and some that are out of your control. For example, heavy smoking or drug use during pregnancy renders your placenta unfit for consumption, how your placenta has been handled/stored after birth, if your placenta is sent to pathology, some medications (based on molecular composition) you have ingested throughout your pregnancy, specific infections that present during labour, and specific genetic conditions. If you are interested in the benefits of placenta encapsulation it is best to speak with a trained professional.

MYTH #3: Raw means…RAW If you have done any of your own research on placenta capsules and services (which I am sure you have!) you may have come across the term ‘Raw preparation’. I have been asked by clients before what this raw preparation means and if it is safe.

BUSTED (sort of!): With the exception of post-birth smoothies* which typically utilize a small amount of raw placenta and are completely safe, any capsules you receive have been heated in one way or another, even when you select a raw preparation. When you meet with a placenta specialist they will discuss with you what your needs are and how your prenatal experience has been thus far to best asses what preparation method is right for you. At the Doula Collective, we offer both the Raw Preparation and Basic Heated Method for your capsules. The difference between the two methods of preparation is that with the Basic Heated Method your placenta is partially ‘cooked’ before being thoroughly dehydrated. With the Raw Preparation, your placenta is processed from a raw state but still thoroughly dehydrated for safe consumption. The Raw Preparation is the preferred option by many clients as it best maintains the hormones, vitamins and minerals that are contained within your nourishing placenta. *At the Doula Collective, we also offer healthy and delicious energy boosting smoothie packs that include processed placenta (vs raw) or you can select to opt for vitamin rich smoothie packs, minus your placenta, to be delivered alongside your processed capsules!

MYTH #4: It is luxury service, which makes it out of my budget! Given the amount of training and knowledge your Placenta Specialist must possess and with the nature of processing your super capsules that are chalk full of benefits it is easy to assume that placenta services could get pricey.

BUSTED: With the excitement of having a new baby enter your life, and the adorable stuff you can buy for them and your home, it is easy to forget to put some of your budget aside for you and your post pregnancy health! Although properly processing your services requires extensive knowledge, time and care many high-quality specialists offer reasonable rates, typically ranging between $200-$350 for capsules. When you consider the nature of the processing and the benefits it becomes clear that placenta services become an important investment in contributing to your early postpartum physical and mental health. At the Doula Collective we offer Placenta Clients a discount when they choose to do their own drop off/pick up -thanks Dads/Partners!

MYTH #5: It’s all about the capsules Placenta capsules are by far the most well-known and purchased service however they are only one part of what your placenta can offer you!

BUSTED:

Placenta Tinctures which offer all the benefits of your capsules with a virtually unlimited shelf life are one of the best add-ons to any package. Prepared smoothie packs with or without your placenta inclusion (raw or processed) are also offered to give you the boost of energy and nutrition your body needs while healing and adjusting to life with your new babe. Placenta prints are also growing in popularity due to their beauty and ability to honour the womb buddy that played a key role in keeping your baby healthy. Choosing prints, keepsakes, or planting your placenta are great options for Moms who want to honour their placenta but may have faced challenges that make it unsafe for encapsulation.

 There you have the first 5 Myths Busted!

Check out our blog next week where we will bust 5 more common myths including DIY Placenta Encapsulation, Restrictions for Vegans/Vegetarians and whether or not how you birth your baby makes a difference in being able to take advantage of placenta services.