What exactly is Placenta Encapsulation?

Although it may sound unfamiliar to most people, Placenta Encapsulation has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries.  The placenta is encapsulated just after birth, it is dried, ground into a powder and placed in capsules (“encapsulated”).   These capsules help to balance hormones following childbirth, help increase milk production, and increase your energy level.  Women taking placenta also experience fewer emotional problems and recover more quickly postpartum.  Many of the minerals and hormones help to fight the symptoms of postpartum depression. As well, the iron and protein contained in placenta are beneficial to women recovering from childbirth.

How is Placenta Encapsulation performed?

From the time the mother delivers the placenta, it must be handled carefully.  It should not be left sitting out but should immediately be put into a sterilized food-type storage container. If a special container has not been designated it can be double-bagged in large-sized ziplock plastic storage bags which will effectively seal it to protect it from the air. It should be refrigerated as soon as possible. The preparation of the placenta for encapsulation, should begin within the first 48 hours after birth.

Many doulas and midwives are able to provide placenta encapsulation services, and will come to your home to perform the process or they will do it in their own home.  The cost for this service from Kelly is $200 which includes pick up and drop off service.  The placenta encapsulation process will provide you between 90 and 140 supplement capsules for easy ingestion.

An Alternative Therapy for Postpartum Depression

Approximately 10 percent of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth.   If medical attention is sought, it usually results in a prescription for anti-depressants.  These anti-depressants are passed through the mother’s breastmilk to the nursing baby.  Choosing medication is a difficult decision that many new mothers face.  However, continuing to suffer with postpartum depression is also risky for both the mother and the baby.

Placenta encapsulation can open up many possibilities for women suffering from the stresses associated with the postpartum period and can be a non-invasive way of dealing with postpartum depression, or “baby blues”, which no woman should have to endure.