Placenta Encapsulation: Objections and Common Questions
Placenta encapsulation is undergoing a new revival in western culture and is a rapidly growing service being sought out by birthing parents who desire a more natural approach to postpartum recovery as well as the multiple benefits that have been reported. So, it’s not unexpected that questions would arise as they spend time researching.
As birthing parents seeking professional services, knowing you’re making an informed choice is important in receiving the postpartum care you desire and deserve. Always look for a trained and qualified Placenta Specialist who is happy and eager to answer any questions you may pose them. Placenta encapsulation is still a largely anecdotal practice but more and more scientific research is being conducted, which is both exciting and positive. This research helps in answering those questions and concerns that you may have, so let’s get started with some of the common questions and objections I receive:
Image description: Glass bottle with label that reads “Your Placenta Pills, Marrow Of My Soul”. Some loose placenta capsules are scattered in front of the bottle.
I struggle with the idea of eating my placenta - what will it be like?
The placenta is an amazing organ grown just for you and your baby. Luckily, opting to encapsulate over other known preparation methods allows you the opportunity to take advantage of the reported positive benefits in a more discreet and palatable way. Placenta encapsulation may be seen as an acceptable sanitized method of consuming the placenta for those who could not face ingestion in other ways(1). Capsules look just like any other standard vitamin and most women have reported no noticeable taste upon consumption.
Is this just a fad? Does it really work?
Eating one’s own placenta (placentophagy) is undergoing a small revival in western cultures. Some view this as a way of celebrating the placenta’s significance and/or promoting postpartum physical and mental health, and placenta encapsulation is becoming a popular method of preparing the placenta for consumption. When measuring placentophagys’ health outcomes, it may be that the woman’s perception of how it makes them feel becomes more important than the medical models understanding of the evidence. Certainly it seems that for some, the benefits of placental encapsulation outweigh any negatives or uncertainty of its efficacy(2).
Will consuming my placenta help with my milk production?
Studies have been conducted to determine the outcome of placenta consumption on milk supply with favorable results. One specific study found that 181 (86.2%) reacted positively to the treatment, 117 (55.7%) with good, and 64 (30.5%) with very good results. Results showed considerable increase in size and tenderness of the breasts and in secretion of the milk. The milk also flowed by itself (7).
Many women do report positive outcomes in regards to placenta encapsulation and their milk supply. Should you experience a decrease in supply it is always encouraged to seek professional help from your family doctor, midwife, an IBCLC, or lactation educator. Multiple factors can contribute to breast/chest feeding challenges and it is beneficial to look at all possibilities. Often times an adjustment to the number of capsules taken at one time can assist in desirable outcomes.
Are there conditions under which a placenta would be deemed unsuitable for consumption?
If at any time the placenta is sent to pathology after your birth it is then deemed unfit for encapsulation. While in pathology it can come in to contact with any number of contaminates therefore it is safest to forgo encapsulation. Infection during labour or immediately following birth would also be a contraindiction to encapsulation. Any infection present in the placenta would be a risk for reintroduction to the birthing parent’s system should it be processed and consumed. If the placenta were to remain out at room temperature beyond two hours then risk for bacteria growth and potential contamination would be factors causing the placenta to be unfit for consumption.
How long do the capsules last?
On average it is recommended that your placenta capsules be consumed within six weeks of preparation. Every placenta will yield a varying amount of capsules but anywhere from 100-150 is typical. Your placenta specialist will suggest recommended daily usage, although adjustments can be made based on personal preference as the effects of capsules can vary from person to person. Storing your capsule in an airtight container to avoid moisture and placing them in a dark, dry cabinet is preferable. Any capsules not consumed within 6 weeks can be safely stored in an airtight container in the freezer for use at a later time. In addition, professionally prepared tinctures to be used orally can last indefinitely and are useful during times of stress, hormone fluctuation, and illness.
What about people who have reported negative symptoms?
In a survey done of 189 females who had ingested their placenta it found the majority of these women reported perceived positive benefits and indicated they would engage in placentophagy again after subsequent births. (5)
“Our survey shows that the vast majority of women in our sample who engaged in placentophagy did so in the belief it would provide benefits to themselves (and their babies) after delivery. These expected benefits included improved mood and lactation in the postpartum period, among others. Our survey participants generally reported some type of perceived benefit from the practice, felt that their postpartum experience with placentophagy was a positive one, and overwhelmingly indicated that they would engage in placentophagy again after subsequent pregnancies. The most commonly reported negative aspect of placentophagy regarded the nature of the placenta’s overall appeal. While a small percentage of our sample (24%) reported some other negative association with placentophagy, even the women who noted these negative aspects responded that they would engage in placentophagy again if given the chance.” (5)
Adjustment to dosages can typically assist in alleviating or reducing most reported symptoms. If ever symptoms of infection, flu, or cold are experienced it is recommended that capsules not be taken during that time to prevent the illness from possibly driving deeper.
Isn’t the placenta a detoxification chamber? Why would you want to consume toxins?
The placenta plays a vital role between mother and fetus and its functions are complex. Its main purpose is for the exchange of gases, to provide all-important oxygen and nutrients to the baby and to transfer waste, all while keeping maternal and fetal blood separated. The placenta does prevent some toxins from passing through to the fetus but they are not stored in the placenta. Toxins in the body and waste from the fetus are processed by the mother’s liver and kidneys for elimination (4).
Don’t hormones die after they leave your body?
Although this may be a common idea, dehydration (the removal of water) has been used for centuries as a way to preserve foods and maintain their nutritional status (2). In a study conducted specifically on the nutrients in terms of protein, fat, minerals, and hormones in heat-dried human placenta it was found that although hormone levels in heat-dried placenta were low compared to physiologic levels in human beings, the results of this study suggest that the amount of nutrients, particularly protein and minerals, in heat-dried human placentas were enriched (3).
If the placenta has bacteria on it, even from the birth canal, can’t that make you sick?
The placenta does in fact carry bacteria as do the majority of all things around us. The most important point to note is that that not all bacteria is “bad” bacteria. The infant is exposed to several environmental sources of bacteria in the early neonatal interval through the maternal vaginal canal and feces, swallowing and breathing, skin to skin contact, maternal breastmilk, etc. Reports conclude that exposure to the bacteria during and immediately following the birth process is beneficial to building a microbiome (4). It is important to find a placenta specialist who has proper training in food safety handling standards to ensure your placenta is processed in a safe and sterile environment.
If I tested positive for GBS, isn’t it unsafe for me to encapsulate? If I do, will my baby or I get sick?
You may still choose to encapsulate if you’ve tested positive for Group B Strep during pregnancy as long as it is a colonization and not an active infection. GBS colonization and infection are two very different things. An active GBS infection is a serious risk for infants and measures to fight against its risk factors once detected are of the utmost importance and urgency. Group B Strep alone is not a contraindication to placenta encapsulation and testing in pregnancy does not necessarily determine actual status at the time of delivery. Finding a trained placenta specialist who understands and utilizes safe preparation protocol is a great way to ensure your safety and peace of mind. Using the traditional method of steaming above 160 degrees Fahrenheit followed by dehydrating above 160 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 plus hours further minimizes any potential risks as GBS bacteria dies off at 131 degrees Fahrenheit. For more details click here to read more directly from APPA (Association of Placenta Preparation Arts).
Image description: a print of a placenta outlined in ink.
The placenta is part of the baby - why would you eat one of their organs?
The placenta is composed of healing chemicals. The known ingredients that give the placenta its healing properties are:
Gonadotrophin: the precursor to estrogen, progesterone and testosterone,
Prolactin: promotes lactation,
Oxytocin: for pain and bonding; produced during breastfeeding to facilitate bonding of mother and infant. In pharmaceutical form this is a very addictive drug because it promotes a feeling of connectedness with others,
Thyroid stimulating hormone: boosts energy and helps recovery from stressful events,
Cortisone: combats stress and unlocks energy stores,
Interferon: stimulates the immune system to protect against infections,
Prostaglandins: anti-inflammatory,
Hemoglobin: replenishes iron deficiency and anemia, a common postpartum condition,
Urokinase inhibiting factor and factor XIII: stops bleeding and enhances wound healing,
Gammaglobulin: immune booster that helps protect against postpartum infections (6).
References:
Selander J (2011b) The care and keeping of placentas. http://placentabenefits.info/MWT_article.asp (accessed 5 June 2012)
Beacock, Michelle. “Does eating placenta offer postpartum health benefits?” British Journal of Midwifery. Vol 20, No 7 (July 2012): pp. 464 – 469.
Phuraprsdit, Winit et al, Journal of the Medical Association Thai, 2000: 83; 690-694
http://placentaassociation.com Keller, Nikole. Uncovering the Truth About Bacteria and Heavy Metals in the Placenta, August 7, 2015.
Selander, Jodi - Cantor, Allison - M.Young, Sharon - Benyshek, Daniel C. – “Human Maternal Placentophagy: A Survey of Self-Reported Motivations and Experiences Associated with Placenta Consumption.” Ecology of Food and Nutrition – 2013 : 93-115
As listed on www.PlacentaBakery.com More research is available online.
Soykova-Pachnerova, E ,“Placenta as a Lactagogon”. Gynaecologia: International Monthly Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Volume 138, (1954): 617-627.
Interested in booking placenta encapsulation services?
Visit Marrow of My Soul for more info. If you are a Five Elements Birth Services doula client, you are eligible for a special discount on encapsulation services. Check your Welcome! email or ask your doulas for more info.
