Or maybe another question would be, what exactly is placenta encapsulation? Placenta encapsulation is when you take a woman’s placenta after birth, and either steam it, dehydrate it, or ground it up and turn it into pills.

This unusual practice is becoming more and more popular due to the placenta’s amazing nutritional value.  The rising trend may sound weird (or if you are like me, kind of disgusting), but there’s something to be said about what placenta encapsulation is and its benefits.

 

Helps Postpartum Depression

Yes, ingesting your placenta has been known to help with postpartum depression. Women find that these pills help control their anxiety and stress by controlling their postpartum hormones.  The stress reducing hormone CRH and Oxytocin can be found in the placenta, especially during the last trimester of a pregnancy. In some women the hypothalamus shuts down its production of CRH hormones after the mom gives birth for a bit, which can cause postpartum depression, extreme anxiety, or the baby blues; however, since these hormones are still in the placenta, women are finding it beneficial to ingest it to help them control their hormones.

 

Increases Breast Milk Production

Several studies have examined the possible effect that placenta ingestion can have on a woman’s lactation. In one particular study, 57 women who had a poor milk supply were given “powdered placenta hominis” and within only four days, 48 of those women had an increase and boost in their milk production.

Most women who use it to help with breast milk supply, take it in pill form and have noticed a difference in their lactation.

Helps Iron Levels

Low iron levels are especially common in new mamas, which can also spark postpartum depression in women.  In fact, research indicates that more than 50% of women who can have children have an iron deficiency.  Having low iron levels can result in fatigue, trouble focusing, dizziness, and shortness of breath, which in new, overwhelmed moms, can lead to even more detrimental postpartum.

Placenta encapsulation has also been known to help women with menopause, energy levels, decrease postpartum bleeding, and it even has been known to help with insomnia. However, just like with anything, there are safety measures that you must follow with placenta encapsulation.

Even though it is an unusual idea for some to wrap their mind around, women are discovering some of the amazing health benefits and nutrients that placenta ingestion can do and choosing to go that route as a result.

What about you? Would you encapsulate and ingest your placenta?

Image courtesy of Getty

By Collyn Morgan on May 23, 2016
Collyn is a freelance writer that enjoys researching and writing on modern feminism, health, motherhood, and other related topics. She has a passionate love for macaroons, vegetarian cuisine, newsletters, and anything regarding The Walking Dead. You can find her musings and intrigues on Twitter.