Placenta Encapuslation and Things of that Nature

Before I became educated when I heard people say or ask, "Do you want to eat your placenta?" I thought that meant in its raw, bloody, fresh from the uterus form.  At my last prenatal visit, the handout I received was on placenta encapsulation. What happens is you set up with someone before you deliver to come and pick up your placenta from the birth center and they will deliver your capsules to you within the next few days. It's a dried formulation that is still packed with all of the hormones you lost during delivery. I immediately became intrigued. The benefits of doing this are ridiculous. Since no two people are alike the hormonal composition of your placenta is unique to you. On top of that, why pay money for prescription hormones to combat postpartum depression when everything you need is right there.  Postpartum depression is a result from the drastic change in the drop in hormones once you have the baby. When you think about it... all mammals eat the sacs surrounding their offspring. That can't just be an evolutionary accident.

The benefits of placenta encapsulation or ingesting your placenta in any form include but are not limited to:

• Positive mood
• Increase in energy
• Counters depression symptoms
• Enhances breast milk production
• Facilitates postpartum recovery
• Aids in hormonal balance
• Facilitates healthy uterine muscle tone

There are three or so people in my area that provide this service for around $200.

What does Chef think about this?  He thinks we should do it ourselves, but instead of encapsulating it to take like a vitamin, he thinks we should leave it as a powder so that it can be more versatile. I can add a tablespoon to smoothies or sprinkle it over my food. This would also eliminate wasting some trying to get it in those small capsules. So after the birth our baby girl I will have a jar of placenta powder in my fridge. There are many "recipes" on how to do this on your own by the people that do it for other women. It is a little labor intensive which is what scares me the most. I know that I probably won't be up to doing this 2 days after the baby is born but that is why Chef said this is a project he would love to get involved in.  I know I've totally hippied out but it doesn't make me seem nearly as crazy when my husband backs me 100%.