If you knew that your body already had a natural resource preserved for postpartum that will help you avoid ‘the baby blues,’ would you use it? Well, guess what? It does. The placenta, a fruit of your womb, is Mother Nature’s gift to help you during your postpartum recovery. While Western culture might think of eating the human placenta as disgusting, placenta encapsulation gives us a more pleasing way of ingesting it.
Amidst the joy of parenthood, the Postpartum Support International reports that close to 80% of women suffer from some form of mood instability after giving birth, often known as the ‘baby blues.’ For most women, the baby blues go away within a few days or a week, the symptoms are not severe and they do not need treatment. But for 15 - 20% of women, these mood swings, weepiness, feelings of sadness, anxiety and overwhelmingness are severe enough to be considered postpartum depression (PPD). PPD can develop any time within the first year after childbirth and, in addition to the mood instabilities mentioned before, may also include thoughts of inflicting harm on yourself or your baby.
Many women who seek the help of health professionals to manage their PPD are offered prescription drugs and counseling. But the pregnancy process itself offers a natural treatment for many of the symptoms of PPD – the placenta.
The placenta plays a critical role during pregnancy, acting as an interface between mother and child, with the blood supplies of each coming into close enough proximity to exchange vital substances such as oxygen, glucose, and amino acids. The placenta also produces the hormones that help the mother maintain the pregnancy.
After the baby's born, the placenta comes out and is usually examined by medical personnel to ensure it's intact. The hospital will frequently dispose of the placenta after analysis, unless the parents specifically request it and sign a waiver for its release.
Scientific research shows that the human placenta is rich in vitamins, minerals and nutrients that can help the postpartum body recover more quickly. For example, low levels of serum iron can cause the excessive fatigue that plays a major role in the development of postpartum depression. Luckily iron supplemention, which the placenta is rich in, can treat these low levels of iron.
It is interesting to note that almost all mammal consume their placenta after birth. Not surprisingly, many women feel squeamish about the idea of ingesting placenta. And while a placenta smoothie, omelet, or lasagna all sound quite unappetizing, specialists certified through Placenta Benefits learn a way to make the ingestion of placenta more amenable to mothers called placenta encapsulation. They clean the placenta, dehydrate it, grind it into powder and put the powder into vegetarian capsules the mother can take a few times per day.
Anecdotally, we are discovering placenta capsules are very beneficial for helping to ease or completely relieve symptoms of the ‘baby blues,’ making the transition to motherhood easier on women. Mothers using placenta capsules report an increase in milk supply and increased energy. For those who have previously experienced PPD, placenta capsules might decrease the incidence of recurrence.
Utilizing encapsulated placenta for postpartum recovery is not a common practice in Western culture. However, Eastern medicine is quite familiar with the practice and the benefits can be seen in mothers who choose to use their placenta in this way. The body has an innate ability to heal itself. Use your body’s natural reserve for postpartum recovery.
Fallon L Green, PES, is Director of Within Wellness and Birthing, a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist and Postpartum Doula. Her Empowered Mama class series educates women on how to live life passionately and enjoy their postpartum recovery. Visit her website at www.withinwellnessandbirthing.com to learn more about Placenta Encapsulation. Become a Fan onFacebook!
The information in this article is not medical advice. This information is not meant to treat, diagnose, prescribe or cure anything during your pregnancy, birth, or postpartum time. Always check with your care provider before following any advice from TheOnlyBabyStop.com.