For thousands of years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has revered the placenta as a powerful and invaluable part of the postpartum healing process. After giving birth, many new mothers experience blood loss, fatigue and a drop in their high pregnancy hormones, all of which are thought to be key factors in the development of the “baby blues” and postpartum depression. Full of Qi, life energy, the placenta aids in postpartum wellness by replenishing your system with natural iron and protein and helps reintroduce essential hormones back into your system.
Nicole Greene with Bred in Kansas City Urban Midwifery states, “I do recommend encapsulation for all postpartum recoveries, but especially if the woman has a history of depression or anxiety. I notice a marked improvement in the woman's energy levels after placentophagy, and that kind of therapy helps quite a bit when you're sleep-deprived and caring for a newborn.”
So what is the key to a better postpartum recovery? According to TCM, it is the placenta! The placenta may play a key role in pregnancy AND postpartum recovery. The placenta contains hormones, vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to the mother during recovery.
What are some of the benefits of taking placenta encapsulation pills? According to Andrea Cahill of Placenta Encapsulation Specialists, they help the uterus contract back to normal size, promote lactation, increase maternal energy and help with postnatal bleeding. Placenta encapsulation pills also balance postpartum hormones to help improve your mood, avoid the “baby blues,” improve postpartum iron deficiency and give a better overall postpartum experience.
What is in the placenta that can make a new mother feel better? The placenta is full of feel-good hormones and healing chemicals. Cahill states the known ingredients that give the placenta its healing power are progesterone, estrogen, endorphins, thyroid-releasing hormone, oxytocin, prolactin and human placental lactagon, leuteinizing hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG, iron, vitamin B6, corticotrophin-releasing hormone and cortisol.
How is the placenta prepared? To harness the placenta’s powerful benefits, the material is dried, powdered and encapsulated. The mother takes them just like any other pill, and there is no taste at all.
As always, please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns.