Placentophagy

Please note: Below are the details of placenta encapsulation, including pictures. While I think the placenta is a fascinating and sacred thing, I recognize that not everyone is interested in seeing it. I encourage you to continue reading but please understand that I have included photographs for the many people who have expressed an interest in this topic.

Around the time I had given birth, I had read a little about placentophagy. What I learned made perfect logical sense, but I couldn't quite accept the idea of consuming something that came out of my body, especially ~gasp~ from down there! Over time I've learned a little more and discovered other ways to enjoy the benefits that are easier to stomach for many.

A large number of animal species do consume their "after birth" as do some societies of people today. We've come a long way to separate ourselves from living close to nature and the earth and in many ways it's done us a lot of harm. Women today are totally neglected after birth in our culture. We put a lot of energy into fertility procedures, prenatal care and birth, and then women are sent home with their newborns to figure out breastfeeding, newborn care and postpartum health pretty much on their own. Our bodies put a lot of energy and resources into growing a baby inside of us. It can take years for the body to re-balance and reestablish what was lost. What if we could easily and naturally replenish the postpartum body of lost nutrients and minerals, balance hormones quickly and restore the health of the mother the way nature intended.

The baby blues and post partum depression is a huge problem for many mothers. These conditions rob new mothers of those precious few months or longer of bliss and peace with their new family members. Bonding is interrupted, breastfeeding is affected, families suffer.

Placentogaphy offers families another choice. A choice to be proactive in preventing and treating many ailments during the postpartum period.

Some mothers consume the placenta raw in smoothies or prepared using different recipes. I spoke to one of my friends/clients who has tried this about her experience. She admitted that it's not for everyone but that it was much more effective for her than encapsulated placenta was, and the benefits were fast and far reaching.

Fortunately for most, there is another way to reap the many benefits of placentophagy that may be easier to mentally "digest". First, let's speak of the benefits.

Obviously the placenta is very iron rich. After pregnancy and especially birth, mother's are often anemic. This is a common sense cure that can increase energy in the mother.

The placenta is full of hormones. Consuming some placenta immediately after birth reduces postpartum bleeding significantly. It also prevents or reduces the baby blues and postpartum depression. Placentophagy is also said to improve milk supply and contributes to greater success with breastfeeding, milk comes in faster.

It helps the uterus return to pre-pregnancy state more quickly.

Mom's will often feel sleepy after consuming some of their placenta. Taking a capsule or some other form of placenta ingestion right before baby's fussy time, can help mom and baby to relax and increase her milk supply at the end of the day.

Placentophagy helps mom sleep better.

Recently another friend/client asked me if I would encapsulate her placenta after her upcoming birth. I didn't hesitate to say yes. I know what the postpartum period can be like and I could totally understand why someone would desire the assistance of another person to take care of this task for them. While they enjoyed their first day and night together, I was busy encapsulating their placenta.

Here is a picture of the beautiful placenta, the life giving organ that joins mother and child until we are mature enough to come into the world to breath the air with our lungs.

This is the fetal side of the placenta including the umbilical cord. I have removed the amniotic sac and laid the placenta out on paper to prepare it for prints.

This is the tree of life. Yes, the print is made with maternal blood on acid free paper to reduce fading. It is customary for many families to save and bury the placenta, planting a tree over it to bring the child prosperity, good health or strength (depending on the tree planted). For the family that is using the placenta for ingestion, they can't partake in the same custom, but they can save a print, if they wish, as another way to honour what has joined a mother and her baby as one for 9 months.

After making prints, the placenta is carefully cut up and dehydrated. I used as little heat as possible to retain as many nutrients as possible. The dehydration process continued until there was no longer any moisture in the placenta pieces. They were then ground up into this fine powder.

I carefully filled empty capsules with the powder to complete the process. This particular placenta filled 95 large capsules. You cannot overdose on your own placenta, it usually would be consumed in it's entirety immediately after birth. However, most moms find that 1 to 3 capsules per day is helpful. Capsules can be saved and taken as needed or consumed regularly for prevention. Dosage instructions are provided with the encapsulation service. I am still preparing a tincture and essence for this family which can be used indefinitely throughout mom's life.

This service is now being offered by myself to mom's in the Belleville and Kingston areas.

Many thanks to the family who trusted me with this delicate and sacred process and for allowing me to share this experience with you.

Placentophagy should be used in conjunction with support provided by your family doctor. This is not suggested as a replacement for medical treatment.

Michelle Stroud is a labour doula, maternity reflexologist and dancing for birth class instructor in Belleville, Ontario. For more information about classes and services please visit www.bythemoon.ca