Something I never thought I would do - placenta encapsulation

I've read lots of articles and stories about the benefits of consuming the placenta but TBH was always pretty disgusted with the concept - definitely one of those "hey, if you want to great, but noooooooooo way am I doing it". Then I stumbled over an article on placenta encapsulation and did more research. I had slight PND with DD1 but really awful, all consuming PND with DD2 and the thought of going through that again weighed very heavily on my mind throughout my pregnancy with DD3. It had been a very stressful lead up with multiple losses and then a barrage of hormone treatment to maintain her pregnancy. Throw in 9 months of sickness, exhaustion dealing with two very active little girls and being a much older mum and I was really worried, as was my GP.

So, after more research and some very supportive words from a lovely BBer I decided to give it a go - basically I was prepared to do anything to avoid going down that dark road again. My placenta was collected on the day after DD's birth and we collected the capsules the following night on our way home from hospital. Day 3 after DD's birth I took my first capsule. I must admit, I had to force myself to not think about what I was consuming and also had to fight against gagging because the casing of the capsule had a very odd taste and I lost the fight against not visualising the raw placenta.

One month on and I am so glad I've done this. I don't get much sleep, and could count on one hand the number of times I've napped during the day in the month since DD's birth. I'm constantly on the go with three girls to care for, and there are a few issues making time for everyone, including me and DH. BUT . . . I feel fantastic. I am ridiculously content and happy, energised, I'm even tempered (more than I ever have been in my life) and I haven't had a single moment of being overwhelmed. DD3 is a much easier baby than DDs 1 and 2 so while I have to attribute some of my health to that, she is still a newborn with all the feeding, settling and unsettled issues.

I can't recommend placenta encapsulation highly enough, especially for anyone who has a history of depression or anxiety. I'm sure there are many factors contributing to my feelings of wellbeing, but I'm sure a lot is due to these magic little pills.

Wow hun, that is incredible!!!! So pleased for you, I know how you struggled after DD2 and yes there are other factors this time around but that is really amazing!!! Even tempered too hey? Maybe i need to get me some :rofl: So glad things are going so well for you and your 3 princesses :hug:

So awesome to hear!! I really wish I had of done it too :(

thats fantastic Lulu!!!
i planned on it but was too anaemic and exhausted that i didnt have the time or energy to actually do it, and no one would do it for me...and by time i did have energy it seems too late now.

so happy to hear its helped you!

Oh Pam I am so unbelievably happy for you gorgeous lady :D You truely sound happy!!

I'd love to know who did it for you round these parts..... if you don't mind letting me know? Great to hear you're feeling so wonderful :)

Will pm you her details

Thank you for sharing! i think it is amazing when iread how it helps pnd and have also heard about benefits of using the placenta to reduce risk or stop pph.

It's great to see people look outside the box and fully educate themselves on things they would otherwise shun at.

The benefits of placenta encapsulation, as you read, are highly beneficial.

I looked into doing the encapsulation course when i was doing my doula training but Uni got in the way and I never went ahead.

I haven't decided if I'll do the same with mine yet. I have a history of severe anxiety and depression (which was diagnosed after I thought I had PND after the birth of DD2) so it can't hurt.

Thanks for posting, hopefully you're story will encourage others to look outside their comfort zones also :)

Those who haven't already, check out BellyBelly's article on Placenta Encapsulation - its been great getting feedback from placenta encapsulators who have said ever since my article was published, they have been getting loads more enquiries :)

I so wanted to do this after DD but with the PPH and all we just sort of forgot about it. Her placenta is still in my freezer, actually, waiting a special pot to be planted in (yes, still...)

It's great to hear how well you're doing!

I've actually read stories of women eating a piece of fresh placenta to stop a PPH.

Having 'played' with many placentas, the thought of eating a fresh piece kinda grosses me out, but if it were the difference between life and death, I'd definitely do it.

Just goes to show how high in oxytocin they are that you can dehydrate them and they still have enough goodness in them to reduce your chances of developing PND.

Pretty awesome organ hey ;)

Its the rawness aspect, or even freshly cooked, that I couldn't face either Sara although as you say, if it was a case of life and death then bring it on. I had the same thoughts as you about the encapsulation side of things - it can't hurt - and IMO it is certainly helping enormously.

What I did find really, really disappointing was that the second of the two midwives who looked after me while birthing was extremely negative about it. She read my "birth plan", which basically consisted of two requests - leave me alone unless I ask for something and I want to keep my placenta. She assumed that I wanted to plant it, but when I told her about the encapsulation she became very negative. We had a discussion that lasted probably an hour and she seemed determined to try and scare me out of it by making comments such as "but how do you know what you'll end up with if you don't do it yourself?" etc. Fortunately I'm a pretty strong minded woman (my DH would probably say stubborn!) so I just stuck to my guns and in the end got a bit snarly with her and said it was lucky we all had the ability to do our own research and then make our own decisions. It is disappointing though, and I can imagine how easily someone who was perhaps less determined than I was or who was maybe dealing with a bit of negativity from their support system might have been talked out of it.

Good for you LHB!
Yes, I'd heard the same! If I'd still been at home, we may well have done it. But we were in the system by this time, so it was all medical hands on deck, etc. Plus I was kind of unconscious for a bit.

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Plus I was kind of unconscious for a bit.

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That would definitely have complicated things ;-)

As PND has hit again I plan on doing it this week. The placenta is still in the freezer so should be still able to do it. Have a friend who did hers and is going to come help me.

I told my family and I think they have disowned me lol ok so not really but they think it is gross. Oh well I'm all for trying anything if it will help me get out of this hole I'm in.

Do you reckon it's still ok? Maybe I could still eat DD's?

:hug: Em, I hope i helps

Awesome to hear! This is something I am definitely going to do!