For centuries consuming the placenta after giving birth, has been known to provide a wide range of benefits to new mothers. It began as a common practice in Chinese medicine but over time has found a place in Western medicine in form of Placenta Encapsulation.
Interesting facts about Placenta Encapsulation
While in the mother’s womb the placenta exchanges nutrients and blood with the fetus, and is believed to increase the mother’s health after the baby is born.
There are many ways to ingest the placenta. Some mothers eat the placenta raw, prepared as a soup, or combined with a smoothie…the most convenient way is in form of a capsule – Placenta Encapsulation.
Traditional Chinese Medicine methods like the one used by The Placenta Pill for example uphold the highest in preparation safety: steaming the placenta to lock in the essence, while at the same time effectively killing any harmful bacteria that may be present.
Here are some of the many benefits of placenta encapsulation and consumption in general:
1. Reduce Stress
During pregnancy and especially during labor the Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone, also known as CRH, is released by the hypothalamus.
After giving birth the demands of unpredictable hormones, body changes, and a newborn can produce a lot of stress for mothers.
Placenta consumption has been known to help mothers deal with this stress and to facilitate the return to normal everyday life and relationships.
2. The Love Hormone Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a hormone that is responsible for a variety of positive behaviors such as empathy, trust, bonding with your newborn, and sexual activity.
The arrival of a baby can be hard on mothers and though they love their bundles of joy, some may suffer from postpartum depression as their hormones change.
With an increased intake of oxytocin, they may be able to ask for support from their family and friends, create a secure bond with their partner and infant, and reap the benefits of intimacy with their significant other.
Oxytocin has also shown to have benefits related to the uterus, helping it return to its regular size.
Read more about Oxytocin here!
3. Increase Milk Production
Several studies have shown that women who consume their placenta after giving birth show an increased milk production within just a few days.
Those studies prove placenta hormones do positively affect milk production, but they will need to be expanded to discover which hormones produce this effect.
4. Improve Iron Levels
After childbirth, low iron levels may lead to anemia. Anemia is a serious condition that can cause extreme fatigue, weakness, dizziness, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
By using the natural nutrients of your placenta these symptoms can be reduced or even prevented.
Learn more about pregnancy-related iron deficiency here.
5. Pain Relief & Placenta Encapsulation
Eating your placenta can help boost the pain-relieving qualities of chemical pain relievers like opioids. This can lessen the side effects of these medications and allow the mother to bond better with her infant.
Our team at Grapevine Birthing Center recommends that you consult with your medical care provider if you have any questions about Placenta encapsulation and consumption!
Click here to sign up for a free tour of our birthing center and consultation with a midwife.
