Placenta Medicine
Postpartum Bliss in a Bottle 

There is no doubt that placentas are incredible. During pregnancy, along with the amniotic sac, it acts as baby's first home. It transfers nutrients from maternal blood flow to baby and is responsible for the production of many of the hormones that keep a pregnancy safe and cozy: progesterone, estrogen, human placental prolactin, and the one that is responsible for the + sign on your pregnancy test: human chorionic gonadotropin. 

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"Placentophagy," or taking the placenta as medicine in the postpartum period has seen a resurgence of popularity since the 1960s, along with midwifery care and homebirth. However, this prescription dates back thousands of years and is first written about in the TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine ) pharmacopeia. It's definitely not for everyone and I encourage each person to follow their gut on whether it is right for them or not. However, many women greatly benefit from the slow tapering of hormones that takes place when they consume their placenta postpartum versus experiencing a radical shift in hormones that can happen when the placenta is delivered and disposed of.

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Benefits

• Promotes milk production

• Softens the hormonal shift of pregnancy to breastfeeding which can stabilize postpartum emotions 

• Gently replenishes nutrient loss from postpartum bleeding

• Keeps the energetic container intact of the mother-baby dyad

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Preparation and Service $300

I come and take the placenta within 24 hours of birth and get it back to you within 1-3 days. To process the placenta, I use a TCM method of steaming it with lemon and ginger before fully dehydrating it, grinding it up and filling "00" gelatin pills (or veggie if requested) with the powder. The amount of pills this yields depends on the size of the placenta. 

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FAQ

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Can I still keep and process my placenta if I have a hospital birth?

Most of the time, yes. You'll let your doctor or midwife and nurses know that you will be taking your placenta home with you. (You might want to have someone remind them again immediately after the birth). You'll sign a release form and I will come retrieve it from the hospital.

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Are there indications that I should not get my placenta encapsulated?

Yes. Placenta medicine is not safe in every single situation, as is the case with all other herbs and pharmaceutical medications. If you have an active infection during labor, are treated with antibiotics, or have a fever in labor, the risk of consuming your placenta might outweigh the benefits. This is also the case if you have a bloodborne illness such as HIV or Hepatitis, or smoke cigarettes. 

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What is the research for the benefits and risks of placenta medicine?

While there is ample anecdotal evidence, ancient tradition and individual case studies to infer the benefits of placentaphagy for a smoother postpartum transition, there is a lack of RCT studies to prove that placenta medicine is safe and effective. The CDC currently does not recommend consuming your placenta after birth. However, it remains unresearched. 

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