Placenta Encapsulation Services
FEES FOR SERVICE
The fee is $350 per placenta, and includes pick-up and delivery. Pay for the service at: http://PayPal.me/AWMNH
WHAT IS PLACENTA ENCAPSULATION?
Placental encapsulation is the practice of eating placenta (placentophagy) after it has been steamed, dehydrated, ground, and placed into capsules. Traditionally, this is taken by the mother and is believed to impart numerous health benefits. It is frequently taken shortly after giving birth, with the belief that it will help lessen some of the symptoms of postpartum.
ABOUT PLACENTOPHAGY
Placentophagy, the practice of consuming placenta, is increasingly catching on in the United States. Playboy bunny Holly Madison and celebrity Kim Kardashian have been reported as trying it. Most mammals eat the afterbirth. However, no contemporary human culture incorporates eating placenta postpartum as part of its traditions (Farr, Chervenak, et. al, 2017), but placentophagy can be traced back to historical, traditional practices in Western and Asian medicine (Johnson, Pastuschek, Rödel, et. al., 2018). Placenta ingestion is increasingly becoming popular among childbearing persons in the United States, despite the fact that so far, no scientific studies have reported benefits of ingestion of placenta (Farr, Chervanak, et. al, 2017). Without any scientific evidence, individuals promoting placentophagy, especially in the form of placenta encapsulation, claim that it is associated with certain physical and psychosocial benefits. However, anecdotal reports from women who have tried it have reported positive results.
PLACENTOPHAGY IN TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)
“Placenta has been used in TCM for centuries and has been featured in various editions of Chinese medical texts, including in the Materia Medica, as an herb known as 紫河車 or zǐ hé chē (ze, HEU, cheu). This text states that placenta warms the kidney channel, promotes qi absorption, supplements the essence, and nourishes the blood”, according to the Association of Placenta Preparation Arts (2021).
BENEFITS
The Association of Placenta Preparation Arts (2021), reports the results of a survey of 189 women over age 18 who responded to a 21-question survey conducted in 2010 by the University of Las Vegas Anthropology Department. Of those surveyed, the most commonly reported benefits of placentophagy were:
- Improved mood (40%)
- Increased energy (26%)
- Improved lactation (15%)
- Alleviated bleeding (7%)
RISKS
There is the possibility that the placenta could become contaminated by maternal bacteria such as E-coli and Beta Strep, and so if mothers are GBS positive, or had a long period of time with ruptured membranes, they should avoid eating placenta. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that the intake of placenta capsules should be avoided due to the possibility of infectious pathogens during the
encapsulation process (Farr, Chervanak, et. al, 2017).
However, Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialists have received training on safe preparation and follow OSHA standards. According to Association of Placenta Preparation Arts, placenta encapsulators should strictly follow “food-safe temperature guidelines, in order to ensure eradication or sufficient reduction in potentially harmful bacteria” (2021). Thus, we can reasonably assure the safety of the dried placenta. There are still questions to about its potential benefits and risks, and more studies are needed to confirm or reject the data generated so far about placentophagia in humans (Mota-Rojas, Orihuela, Strappini, et. al, 2020).
While anecdotal evidence on the benefits of placentophagy abounds, scientific research is still quite minimal. That said, the research that is available is promising. Read more on contraindications for placentophagy here.
HOW THE PLACENTA PREPARED
The placenta can be eaten raw, cooked, roasted, dehydrated, or encapsulated or through smoothies and tinctures. The most frequently used preparation appears to be placenta encapsulation after steaming and dehydration, and then are ground into a powder that is put into capsules for ingestion. Our doulas are certified in Placenta Encapsulation, and can prepare the placenta for consumption in a safe manner. Watch the video below to learn all about the process from start to finish (Graphic Warning!).
HOW IT WORKS
After the birth, the Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist will pick up your placenta from the hospital; or it can be delivered to her by your Doula. Hospitals are increasingly allowing families to take their placenta home. However, they will not keep the placenta overnight. Therefore, you should have someone come pick it up and prepare it immediately after birth. You can also freeze your placenta for encapsulation at a later time; however, thawing the placenta will take more time, and could lead to bacterial contamination. If your placenta is not frozen, we can deliver it to your home within 3 days to coincide with your return home from the hospital.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CONSUME MY PLACENTA CAPSULES?
Most practitioners recommend one capsule three times a day until they are done. Most placentas will yield about 100-200 capsules. They can be taken along with prenatal vitamins throughout the 6-8 week postpartum period.
SUMMARY
In summary, there are few scientific studies on placentophagia, so more research is needed to underscore or dismiss the anecdotal benefits of eating placenta. However, with proper preparation standards being followed by the preparer, along with information about contraindications being considered, it may be beneficial for women after childbirth.
References
Association of Placenta Preparation Arts (2021). Placenta Encapsulation Safety. Retrieved from: https://placentaassociation.com/placenta-encapsulation-safety/
Farr A, Chervenak FA, McCullough LB, Baergen RN, Grünebaum A. Human placentophagy: a review (2018). Am J Obstet Gynecol . doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2017.08.016. Epub 2017 Aug 30. PMID: 28859955.
Mota-Rojas D, Orihuela A, Strappini A, Villanueva-García D, Napolitano F, Mora-Medina P, Barrios-García HB, Herrera Y, Lavalle E, Martínez-Burnes J. (2020). Consumption of Maternal Placenta in Humans and Nonhuman Mammals: Beneficial and Adverse Effects. doi: 10.3390/ani10122398. PMID: 33333890; PMCID: PMC7765311.
Placenta Association (2021). Placenta Encapsulation. Retrieved from: https://placentaassociation.com/about-placenta-encapsulation/
Johnson SK, Pastuschek J, Rödel J, Markert UR, Groten T. (2018). Placenta – Worth Trying? Human Maternal Placentophagia: Possible Benefit and Potential Risks. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2018 Sep;78(9):846-852. doi: 10.1055/a-0674-6275. Epub 2018 Sep 14. Erratum in: Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2018 Sep;78(9):e1. PMID: 30258243; PMCID: PMC6138470.
QUESTIONS? WANT TO BOOK SERVICES?
If you have questions, or want to book the service, please contact:
J. Tranae, Community Doula Program Coordinator, or call (626) 388-2191 ext. 2