After Birth Alternatives

Did you know that the placenta has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and has long been considered one their most powerful medicines? Your placenta is the endocrine organ responsible for producing the hormones your body requires to sustain a pregnancy. During your third trimester your hormones are three times higher than they were before you were pregnant. And by your 4-5th postpartum day your hormones have dropped to well below what they were before you were pregnant. That's a huge fluctuation!  One of the known catalysts of the baby blues or postpartum depression (PPD) is this intense, sudden drop in hormone levels.  This is just one of the many reasons that placenta capsules are the perfect rivitalizing agent for postpartum women.

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What are the other benefits of placenta consumption?​

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Boost in energy

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Better quality of sleep

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Decrease in night sweats

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Assists in resumption of normal estrogen cylce

 

Pain relief

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Positive mood enhancement and over all sense of well being

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Increase in lactation

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Better milk quality

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Decrease in postpartum bleeding

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Aides in returning uterus to original size

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Postpartum weight loss

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Decrease in the occurence of the baby blues and postpartum depression (PPD)

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Decrease in postpartum anemia

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But wait!! How is this possible?

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As previously mentioned, your placenta holds all of the key hormones that sustained your pregnancy. Common hormones one thinks about in reference to pregnancy are Estrogen, Progesterone and Prolactin.These are all important hormones when considering the benefits of encapsulation.

 

The Estrogen in your capsules help your body restart its normal Estrogen cycle. Thus decreasing the likelihood of hormonal mood changes and night sweats brought on by birth. The Progesterone in the placenta is thought to be similiar to MAO-inhibitors giving it a similar effect as some anti-anxiety medications.  By increasing Estrogen and Progesterone the levels of endorphins are increased, and with it one's mood. They also contribute to mammary gland development which assists in lactation and they both help to stimulate a healhy sex drive.

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But there's so much more!

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The placenta also carries the hormones known as CRH (corticotropin releasing hormone), TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and Cortisol. CRH and Cortisol are known as stress relieving hormones. Cortisol is also well known for its anti-inflammatory and healing benefits.  CRH is secreted in large quantities during the last trimester of pregnancy and it is thought that women who experience PPD have very low levels of CRH. Abnormal levels of TSH on the other hand are a known cause of many mental health illnesses including depression, anxiety and even psychosis. TSH abnormalities are also responsible for decreased energy, weight gain/loss, hair loss and weakness. Postpartum women are at an increased risk of thyroid dysfunction, as compared to other women in their age groups.

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The Oxytocin found in the placenta is another hormone that many women are familiar with. Oxytocin is most commonly known as the hormone responsible for contractions during labor. Oxytocin is also known for regulating post birth contractions which help in returning the uterus to the original size and serves to decrease bleeding. Oxytocin is also commonly referred to as the "bonding hormone".  It is released when we breastfeed, during orgasm, while kissing and even while laughing. This is why Oxytocin has long been known to increase the bond between mother and child as well as facilitate positive mood enhancement. Oxytocin also encourages the let down reflex during nursing.

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Then there is the Placental Opiod Enhancing Factor (POEF). POEF increases the body's natural production of opiods, reducing pain, increasing mood as well as an overall sense of well being. 

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Prolactin and Human Placental Lactagon (hPL) which are also found in the placenta, play key roles during the postpartum phase. Prolactin increases milk supply, but interestingly enough also enhances the mother-child bond.  hPL encourages mammary tissue to develop and helps control maternal protein, fat and glucose levels.

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Interferon and Immonglobulin G (IgG) are both found in placental tissue and are responsible for supporting the immune system. Whereas Interferon triggers the immune system to fight infection, IgG molecules work to support it.

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After child birth women are largely susceptible to iron deficiency and anemia.  Iron deficiency and anemia in the postpartum mother have been linked to the following conditions:

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-fatigue and exhaustion

-insufficient milk syndrome

-reduced breast milk quality

-increase in the occurence of the baby blues and PPD

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The natural iron from your placenta is the most effective form of iron supplementation that there is. Placentas are also a rich source of protein, vitamins B6, B12 and many minerals.

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FAQ's

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"How does this work?"

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Once you've decided that you want to have your placenta encapsulated I ask that you schedule with me no later than two months before your due date. You will need to inform your health care provider of your plan to keep your placenta after the birth of your child. When you come into the hospital to deliver make sure that your nurses and your attending physician know that you plan to keep your placenta. Once it has been delivered it needs to be placed in a tightly sealed bag immediately (the hospital has plenty, no need to bring your own) and kept on fresh ice until I get there. One nice thing about hospitals is they have an abundance of ice at your disposal, ask your partner to help! When you're feeling up to it you either send me a message via my facebook page or call me to let me know that I need to pick it up.  I do ask that no calls be made to me between the hours of 9pm and 8am, but please feel free to message me at anytime.  I will arrive to pick up your placenta within 24 hours of your delivery, but in most cases it's much sooner than that.  When you contact me I will give you an estimated arrival time so you know when to expect me.

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"How are the capsules returned to me?"

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Within 24 hours of me picking up your placenta the encapsulation process will be complete. Your capsules will be specially packaged to be kept cold and overnighted to you via FedEx.

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"How do I pay?"

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Payment is due in full when I pick up your placenta. I accept all major credit cards and cash only. Payment can be arranged and paid beforehand, but there are no refunds. 

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"Can you deliver my capsules in person instead of mailing them?"

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Yes, for an additional charge of $30.00 your capsules can be delivered to you in person.  This payment covers additonal travel time and expenses.

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"I didn't schedule with you two months in advance, can you still encapsulate my placenta?"

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In most cases, yes I can.  Please contact me to check my availabilty.

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"What hospitals do you service?"

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Maine General Hospital, Inland Hospital, Mid Coast Hospital, Miles Memorial Hospital, Pen Bay Medical Center, Waldo County Hospital, St Mary's, CMMC and EMMC.  

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"But I live outside of the area you service, will you sitll encapsulate my placenta?"

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Depending on the availability of my schedule, yes.  Any encapsulation that is over 60 miles from Waterville is subject to a $75.00 fee to cover additonal travel time and expenses. I ask that you contact me as early as possible to help ensure a place on my calendar.

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"What about inclimate weather?"

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As anyone living in Maine knows the weather can change suddenly and quickly become unsuitable for safe travel. In the instance of severe weather conditions I will set out after the roads are clear making travel safe. If it will be longer than 24 hours after you have delivered the placenta must be frozen until I can come pick it up. Freezing the placenta does not in any way compromise its integrity or effectiveness.

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"How do I know that the capsules I get back are from my placenta?"

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Great question. I never process more that one placenta at a time to prevent this scenario from happening.  This is why it's important to book early with me, space is limited as I only accept one placenta at a time.

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"I'm vegetarian/vegan."

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Placenta consumption is not the same as animal meat consumption, nor is it cannibalism.  No animal had to die to create it, therefore making it suitable for you to consume. Also, the capsules I use are Vegan/Kosher cellulose capsules.

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"How do you clean your equipment in between services?"

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All of my equipment throughly scrubbed, rinsed and the left to soak for 2 hours in a 10% bleach 90% water solution. When that time is up I meticulously rinse it all with water. When the rinse cycle has been completed I test each piece of equipment with PH paper to make sure that there is no risidual bleach left on any of my equipment. 

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"Is it gross? It sounds really gross."

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This is one of the most common questions that I get asked. I can honestly say, that even for me processs of creating them isn't gross. The placenta is first dehydrated, secondly it is ground down into a powder like substance and then placed inside cellulose capsules. I recommend that the capsules are stored in the freezer to help maintain their integrity and shelf life. The combination of the the outer cellulose capsules and freezing create a pill that's virtually flavor and odor free. 

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About Me

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I am a clinical laboratory professional with over 15 of years experience and a Mother of two. I received my placenta encapsulation training through PBIu, the organization that created the standards for placenta encapsulation services and education. I am also OSHA BBP certified.

 

I heard about placenta encapsulation 5 years ago and fell in love with the concept. Since that time it has been my dream to make this service available to the women of Central and Mid Coast Maine. I charge less than the national average in hopes that this services will be more accessible. My heart is invested in my work, something that I truly love being able to do. Promoting post partum health, healing and wellness. Providing the women of Central and Mid Coast Maine with safe, natural and affordable placenta encapsulation services.

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Please feel free to message me with any questions. 

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The information provided by this website has not been evaluated by the food and drug administration.  The services offered by After Birth Alternatives are not clinical, pharmaceutical, or intended to treat or diagnose any condition.  Women who choose to use these services take full responsibility of their own health and for researching and using remedies.