What is a placenta?
The placenta is a flat organ that attaches to the side of your uterus and grows alongside your baby. The umbilical cord attaches the baby to the placenta. During pregnancy, the placenta provides the baby with oxygen and nutrients.
After birth, the placenta is expelled. Even after birth the placenta retains hormones and nutrients including iron. These hormones and nutrients, which were produced by your body, are more easily absorbed and restore levels within your body. Recent studies have found that these hormones and nutrients also survive the encapsulation process. Many women have reported benefits from taking the pills months to years after encapsulation.
Benefits of Placenta Capsules*
- Increase/restoration in iron levels
- Encourage healthy breast milk production
- Increased energy
- Increase in CRH (a stress-reducing hormone)
- Mood balancing**
- Combating headaches**
- Combating menstrual/menopause symptoms**
*All benefits are gathered from anecdotal reports. Current scientific studies are being conducted by the University of Las Vegas seeking to quantify the effects of placenta consumption.
**Most common side effects anecdotally reported by clients
Price
$200, includes delivery, capsules, and container
The Encapsulation Process
Throughout the encapsulation process, every effort is made to sterlize the equipment and surfaces. Sanitary procedures are also observed.
- Clean placenta thoroughly
- Take pictures (if desired)
- Steam for twenty minutes
- Slice into thin strips
- Shape umbilical cord into heart (optional)
- Dehydrate for twelve hours
- Grind into a fine powder
- Encapsulate powder in kosher vegetarian capsules
If you are interested in another method of preservation, I am willing to cater to any request.
Client Responsibilities
Prior to the birth, request that your provider allow you to keep the placenta and plan on encapsulating it. Place the placenta in a gallon-sized Ziploc before it is placed in any other container.
Ensure that the placenta is either refrigerated or placed on ice within two hours of the birth. If drop off will be later than five days after the birth, the placenta should be frozen.
Schedule a time for drop off by calling (801) 637-1343 or emailing angela@generationshomebirth.com.
Delivery and Dosage
Barring unforeseen circumstances, your placenta pills will be delivered within twenty-four hours after drop off. The average yield is 80 pills, although the range is from 68-124 pills due to placenta variation.
Refrigeration of placenta capsules is recommended. For storage longer than one month, freezing is recommended.
Dosage: Up to 2 capsules 3 times a day.
Additional Sources
American Pregnancy Association. “Placenta Encapsulation.” 2018. http://americanpregnancy.org/first-year-of-life/placental-encapsulation/
Dekker, Rebecca. “Placenta Encapsulation.” 22 Feb. 2017, https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-placenta-encapsulation/
Fagan, Julie. “Placenta Encapsulation: Why I did it, How I did it, and Would I do it again.” https://www.pbfingers.com/placenta-encapsulation-benefits/