Placenta encapsulation has been growing in popularity for at least the last two decades – yes, it’s been that long! If you’re pregnant, chances are you’ve stumbled across this term a time or two by now, and you’re here because you’re curious – or horrified. Either way, welcome!
We’ll be looking at what placenta encapsulation is, talk about why it’s becoming a popular choice for parents-to-be, and talk about what to look for when hiring a placenta encapsulation provider.
As with everything at Tyo Placenta, we heavily emphasize knowing your options and choosing what is best for you. There are no have-tos, no expectations. Ready? Let’s get started.
What is Placenta Encapsulation?
At its most basic, placenta encapsulation is the process of dehydrating a placenta, grinding it up into a powder, and putting that powder into capsules for the birthing parent to ingest.
There are different methods of placenta encapsulation, including the Raw Method and the Traditional Method. The Traditional Method includes steaming the placenta first, while the Raw Method does not involve the steaming process.
Why is Placenta Encapsulation Important?
Birthing parents choose placenta encapsulation for a variety of reasons, though the most common is because of the purported benefits it offers. At Tyo Placenta, the majority of clients are looking for mood support, milk support or energy support.
Not enough research has been done on placenta encapsulation to be able to make sweeping claims about the benefits of ingesting your placenta. (No one is surprised about this – women’s health has always taken a backseat to “mainstream health” – err, men’s health.) Despite this, birthing people continue to encapsulate their placentas because the anecdotal testimonies are positive and overwhelming.
During pregnancy, the placenta becomes the hormonal powerhouse for the birthing person, producing and regulating hormones for both them and the baby. After the birth, the birthing person’s body must once again take control of hormone production and regulation. This is an adjustment – sometimes a small one and sometimes a big one. This is why we often see mood dips in the days following birth. Placenta encapsulation can help by providing some of the hormones needed for mood regulation while the body gets back on track.
Similarly, hormones in the placenta can support milk production in the birthing parent. This is great news for anyone that is feeling a bit of anxiety over producing enough milk for their baby. (However, never hesitate to reach out to a lactation professional for chest/breastfeeding support if you or your baby is struggling.)
The placenta is an extremely iron-rich organ as well. Because of this, those that ingest their placentas will often experience energy bursts that leave them feeling a bit less zombie-like during the newborn daze. Tyo Placenta has heard from several clients that are encapsulating for the first time with second babies that they have far more energy than they did during their last postpartum recovery. This is what we love to hear!
Sometimes people choose placenta encapsulation simply because it feels like a full circle way to honor all their body has done for them and their baby throughout pregnancy. It makes sense to them to use all the goodness that helped grow their baby over the past ten months to support them through an immense healing and transformative process.
3 Tips and Reminders for Placenta Encapsulation
Placenta encapsulation is not for everyone. If you’re on the fence about encapsulating your placenta, ask yourself what you’re trying to get out of it. If you have a few solid reasons, go for it! But if it grosses you out, it doesn’t feel like an investment that you care about or you feel anxious about doing it, let it go. There are so many tools to put into your postpartum recovery toolbox and you don’t need to use every single one of them.
Find an encapsulator that you trust. If you have questions, will they take the time to answer them? Are they willing to share their sanitization protocols with you? How can you reach them, and what are the steps for moving forward with encapsulation? Are they certified through a reputable organization?
And finally, it’s impossible to know exactly how your body will respond to placenta encapsulation. Each body and every placenta is different. The balance of hormones in a placenta can shift from pregnancy to pregnancy, as can your postpartum needs. Even if you’ve encapsulated before, your next encapsulation experience may differ. This is okay! Trust that your body knows what it needs to sustain itself during this time of healing and transformation.
Placenta encapsulation can be a wonderful way to enhance your postpartum recovery, if you feel it’s a good choice for you. Find an encapsulator that is certified and that provides you the answers you need to feel confident in your decision. If you choose placenta encapsulation, we wish you the very best in your experience and would love to hear about it.
