Research into placentophagy is in the baby stages, so there isn’t a lot of factual data available; however, most feedback from mothers who’ve consumed their placenta report positive feedback – especially regarding milk supply and avoiding depression or baby blues.  After 3rd stage (birth of the placenta), a small portion can be cut off and used to stop or simply prevent a postpartum hemorrhage.  Simply placed under the tongue, or between the gums and cheek, oxytocin, and other hormones, quickly seep into the bloodstream and stop excessive bleeding almost immediately.  Even when swallowed, we see the same effects.  (Note, mama doesn’t want to start chewing the chunk of placenta – just close your eyes and swallow).  Some midwives will mix up a milkshake to make the placenta more palatable, and mimic what many other mammals do after birth – consume the entire placenta to balance the hormones postpartum.  Oxytocin is not only the “love hormone” but is also the hormone that regulates your contractions throughout labor.  Oxytocin in its synthetic form is known as pitocin or syntocinon (depending where you live) and is routinely used to induce or augment labor, and also used in an injection form during a managed 3rd stage or to stop a postpartum hemorrhage.  Synthetic oxytocin, however, does not cross the maternal blood-brain barrier, and as a result does not have the same affects on milk supply and positive mood as the natural forms of oxytocin.

My midwife for my 2nd birth recently told me a story about her milk cow.  She had birthed many calfs before, and after each one (cows being vegetarian, keep in mind) her cow would “gobble up the whole thing” and would produce about 5 gallons of milk a day.  During one particular birth, some dogs came near her, fighting, and scared her.  Being the sensitive mammal that she is (just like humans), the cow tensed up, and ended up retaining her placenta.  After a few days and no placenta, the midwife went in to obtain the placenta – which the cow did not consume.  She noted that this was the only time the cow ever struggled with milk supply issues, hardly producing any milk at all, and acted sort of depressed and different after this birth.  Something to think about.

A great site for information on placentophagy is Placenta Benefits.info.  However, let’s list some of the theorized benefits here of the hormones, vitamins, and minerals that benefit the mother through consumption:

• Vitamins B6 (Energy, Reduces Depression Symptoms)
• Iron (Builds blood, Reduces Fatigue)
• Protein (Builds blood, Body’s Building Block)
• Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (Reduces Depression Symptoms)
• Oxytocin (Milk Ejection Reflex, Relaxation/Love/Bonding Hormone)
• Rh-negative mothers eat to prevent sensitization for future pregnancies

Preparing the placenta for consumption is very easy.  You can hire a Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist, your doula may provide this service, or you can even just do it yourself.  The main thing is, just like meat you’d buy from the store – a raw placenta can go bad and needs to be cared for with this in mind.  It needs to be double bagged, and refrigerated as soon as possible after birth, and the closer to birth it is “processed” for consumption, the better.  If it is not being processed within 24 hours, you may want to freeze it, and then thaw it until you have time. 

In its raw form, the placenta – just like any other food – will retain more of its nutrients.  Some moms choose to eat it raw, like oysters.  If eating small portions over a long period of time, the placenta can be frozen and thawed in little sections.  The main thing when “processing” is to not think of it, really, like a “placenta” but any food or meat that you would prepare.  Sometimes it seems so foreign that we don’t think it can be such an easy process.

When processing, you’ll thoroughly rinse the placenta – removing all the membranes, and discarding the umbilical cord. 

Holly Poulson (who processes placentas in the Mid-Ohio Valley region – for $100), likes to make art prints and show her moms the “Tree of Life” with the umbilical cord.  However, during my birth, my midwife removed all the membranes and umbilical cord after the birth to help speed up the processing – so we have more of a “Bush of Life” – still beautiful nonetheless.

After rinsing, you’ll cook it up – steaming is best, just like with retaining the nutrients in vegetables, and will look like a small roast when it is done… or if you’re disgusted of the process like my husband, you’ll likely describe it similar to a brain. 

Of course, you can simply eat it like a steak at this point – but if you can’t quite stomach that, then go on to the next step.  For me, the smell was the odd thing about the whole process.  It isn’t horrible – but has that strong hamburger smell that seems to be a little “off” because you know it isn’t hamburger…

Then, slice it into half-inch slivers and dehydrate for about 8-10 hours (until crunchy).  If you don’t have a dehydrator, just put it in your oven on the lowest temperature.  Some moms choose to skip the steaming/cooking and go straight to the dehydrator – although the steaming does help to thoroughly cook the placenta and ensure any bacteria…etc. isn’t present.  If you don’t steam it – it will take much longer to dehydrate.

After dehydrating, use a food processor, coffee grinder, or blender and blend into a fine powder.  Some pieces will remain big if they were a little over-cooked, and you can chop these up by hand or just throw them out.  Then, you can put the powder in a jar and use it just like a protein powder in drinks or over food – but most choose to encapsulate them for easier consumption.  Most moms will get somewhere around 100 capsules – just depends on the size of your placenta and the size of the capsules you use (these would be size 00).

The placenta is best consumed within the first weeks following birth, but can be saved to counteract other depression or low-energy times, and even stored until menopause to naturally balance the hormones during this transitional stage.  Typically, you’ll take 3-6 daily (1-2 capsules, 3-times a day), and monitor how you feel.  For me, personally, I feel better taking a very small amount as taking more than 3 daily seems to provide me with too much progesterone and oxytocin and caused me to be engorged with milk and very emotional.  Granted, there are a lot of other factors that could be playing into is – but, it seems as though I feel a lot better now that I’ve been taking less – and I’m now down to 1 a day (2 weeks postpartum).  Not all placentas have the same nutritional or hormonal contents because they are directly related to the individual mother, her hormone levels during pregnancy, and her nutritional intake during pregnancy.  So, with this in mind – understand that you may need to adjust your daily dose – which may actually mean taking less rather than more particularly if your diet during pregnancy was ideal.  Just remember – when you decide to stop consuming the placenta, slowly “wean” yourself – or the dramatic shift in hormones will produce the opposite result – such as fatigue, irritability, or migraines.  Although, I also know of moms who will deal with the headaches…etc., so that they can save the pills for a really low day.  Either way, the point is to understand that quitting “cold turkey” can result in some less than desireable outcomes.

I have yet to find any information on placentophagy after a medicated birth.  However, I believe it is safe to assume that because a mother, after a medicated birth, will have lower levels of oxytocin, any risks of medications being retained in the placenta would not outweigh the benefits – and she may likely benefit more than those with an unmedicated birth.  You may, however, want to be sure your placenta is in a healthy state before consuming – which is easily done by asking your care provider.

Not into placentophagy but still want to counterbalance postpartum changes?  Remember that rest, good nutrition, and adequate hydration help the body to naturally function well – including balancing hormones.  Dark greens, adequate protein, and a balanced diet that helps build blood levels is very effective at preventing depression and fatigue.  Preparing for your postpartum with freezer meals can reduce unecessary stress – as can a babymoon or limiting visitors and phone calls.  Consider the help of a postpartum doula (like Gentle Beginnings if you’re in the Mid-Ohio Valley) to provide emotional support and help with things around the house (especially after a cesarean birth).  Some mothers choose to take Omega-3 Fish Oils (a high quality brand) for prevention & treatment of depression.  Likewise, treating depression with St. John’s Wort can also be very effective – especially when avoiding traditional depression medications (please research herbs before consuming – especially during pregnancy and if breastfeeding). 

The way I see it – having the option to consume the placenta is well worth it.  My honest opinion – I don’t believe they help everyone, and from personal experience I can see how the body can naturally balance the hormones without placentophagy – but I think they help the majority of moms in a variety of ways.  Simple discarding or just planting under a tree felt like such a waste to me, and I would much rather have the option to consume than wish I had encapsulated and not had the chance.  Because most moms report positive effects, and so many moms have such immediate results regarding baby blues and milk supply, it seems crazy to just let this wonderful organ go to waste.

What was your experience with your placenta postpartum?

Perinatal Educator Training Organizations

Note: Some organizations did not list their data clearly and we were unable to obtain that information. Currently we only have the Perinatal Educator chart, and are working on comparing our other training programs with organizations.

To help you track your nutrition, we’ve included this Health & Wellness tracker in an easy to use MS Excel format, FREE for download.  Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD COUNTER

Guidelines are based on a normal single-gestation pregnancy and for informational purposes only.  Esali Birth recommendations should not take precedence over the recommendations from your care provider(s) for your individual situation.

Every parent has the right to choose how they prefer to feed their baby, for any reason they choose.  With that said, prolonged breastfeeding (for the minimum recommendations of 1-2yrs) is often a simple choice: “I am going to breastfeed.”  A choice to be positive, to learn, and take proactive steps in reaching that goal.  The more education you obtain, the more equipped you are for success, and the more likely you are, in those instances that breastfeeding is not obtainable, to feel confidence of your decisions and necessary actions.  At Esali Birth, we provide information and support so that parents can make educated and confident decisions for their family’s future.  We know that breastfeeding can be successful, even for working moms, from personal experience.  We know that breastfeeding may be difficult, from personal experience, and support is often necessary (from all of society – particularly the medical/professional field) for that success.  There are countless books and articles on breastfeeding that we recommend, but below is a short summary of “breast vs. formula.”

This is not meant to make parents feel guilty, as an informed decision should allow parents that bit of confidence needed to know they made the right decision. This is a simplified list to explain to those uneducated about the benefits of breastfeeding on reasons why they can choose breastfeeding for their family. Yes, it is true, physically, it is very very rare to not be able to breastfeed, and birthing practices do affect the ability tremendously. However, emotions and personal situations can play a large role in the ability to have a successful, and enjoyable, breastfeeding experience. We encourage all parents to try breastfeeding with the support of a trained professional, or better, lots of research and support from experienced nursing moms. Having supportive and knowledgeable (which doesn’t always mean a certified lactation consultant) people surrounding a nursing mother can affect breastfeeding ability, especially in those first months when learning to breastfeed has the potential of being emotionally and physically draining. Breastfeeding is a beautiful and wonderful experience, but comfort and confidence is usually not achieved in most mothers until approximately 6 weeks to 3 months postpartum, so we suggest giving it at least 6 weeks before changing your mind completely!

We have discovered that the main points in choosing breastmilk or formula are the true risks of formula, and the true benefits of breastfeeding. The problem is, just as with hospital-birth, too many parents are miss-informed. Almost everyone knows how wonderful breastfeeding is for the baby – how antibodies are given to the baby through milk, how it’s the perfect temperature and the perfect mixture of nutrients. What they don’t know is how harmful formula can be, and all the benefits of bonding through breastfeeding, natural contraception, and benefits for the mother.

Risks of Formula
BPA in Containers
Increased risk of ear infections
Too much iron due to poor absorption
Too much protein due to milk made for cows
Increased gas & colic due to digestion problems
Blood in urine/bm for almost all formula-fed infants
Cost & Inconvenience
Increased risk of allergies
Increased risk of tooth decay
Increased need to use a pacifier
Too much sugar & increased risk of diabetes
Increases pH in intestinal tract
Decreased brain development due to lack of corrent nutrients

Benefits of Breastfeeding
Decreased gas/colic due to ease of digestion
Increased bonding in mother & baby
Convenience & low/no waste
Supply & Demand
Decreases risk of breast cancer
Hormonal balance for mother
*98% effective as a contraception for at least 6 months “natural baby spacing”
More sleep @ night for everyone
Babies are more easily comforted
Continuous antibodies received from mother for baby
Increased acceptance of solids because of flavors that enter the breastmilk
Decreases obesity
Shorter pre-pregnancy weight for mother
Mothers can express & leave milk w/ baby if needed

Those are just some of the differences, but, it is important to note that there are a vast variety of harmful affects of formula, and wonderful affects of breastfeeding. Most mothers that I have talked to have tried breastfeeding and lacked the support and education needed for a successful breastfeeding experience. Whether it was pain, supply concerns, or lack of emotional support, breastfeeding – in the beginning – can seem hard and much more inconvenient than a quick mix of a bottle. However, if you understand the beneficial properties of breastfeeding, and how formula really affects the health of your baby (emotionally and physically), you can appreciate the adjustments you will make in the beginning of your breastfeeding “career.” By contacting Esali Birth, your local LLL, lactaction consultants, or breastfeeding support specialists, you will give the best start for your baby, and continue to see affects in yourself as a mother. (Esali Birth hosts the Breastfeeding Cafe, sponsored by mama*ology, monthly – 4th Sat. of each month, 10:00am at the Borders’ Bookstore in Vienna, WV – full details a mamaology.com)  Breastfeeding benefits truly last a lifetime. Don’t give up – it get’s easier and becomes second nature before you know it!!!

*Lactational Amenorrhea (LAM) – The natural supression of a menstrual cycle due to breastfeeding (the hormone prolactin is what creates breastmilk, and is also the same hormone that supresses ovulation).  You will hear many comments (even by breastfeeding women) that “breastfeeding is not birth control.”  Breastfeeding ALONE is not; you have to follow certain guidelines.  If you were using birth control pills as your contraceptive form, would you only take a pill every other day and call it affective?  Remember, birth control pills are also not 100% effective.

LAM, also known as Natural Family Planning or Natural Child Spacing is 98% effective as a birth control method for at least 6 months IF you have not started your period and can answer YES to ALL of the following questions:

• Is your baby less than 6 months old?
• Are you breastfeeding exclusively w/ no artificial nipples** at all?
• Are you nursing on-demand both day and night without limited nursing sessions?
• Do you have at least 1 nursing session at night, particularly between the hours 1 & 6am (when prolactin levels are at their peak)?

**NOTE:  If you are using a pacifier/binky ( or any artificial nipples), you should NOT use LAM as a means of birth control.  ALL sucking – both for food and comfort – should be at the breast.

Current Training Opportunities include:

• Perinatal Educator (EBPE)
• Breastfeeding Counselor (EBBC)

Future Training Opportunities:

• Esali Birth Perinatal Specialist (EBPS) – Includes training in all areas of available education
• Esali Birth Support Specialist (EBSS) – Includes training in all areas of doula and breastfeeding education
• Esali Birth Antenatal Doula (EBAD)
• Esali Birth Labor Doula (EBLD)
• Esali Birth Postpartum Doula (EBPD)

For more information about Esali Birth training, visit the Specialist Training sections in the top navigation, or contact us!

• Mid-Ohio Valley Perinatal (Childbirth) Classes
• Online Classroom Available 24/7 – Across the World
• Online Student & Specialist forums
• Breastfeeding Education & Support
• Local, Free, Open-to-the-Public Workshops
• Positive Perinatal & Childbirth Education & Support

Support during all stages of our life is vital to our entire well being – from physical to emotional health.  At Esali Birth, we focus on the importance of support during this special time during your life, and offer services that cater to the needs of each specific perinatal stage including:

• Labor & Postpartum Doula Services
• Breastfeeding Counseling
• Blessingway Facilitation
• Bellycasting & Perinatal Memorabilia

To learn more about the educational and support options Esali Birth has to offer, visit the tabs at the top of the page.