To Hat or Not To Hat

This is an interesting article about applying a hat to the baby's head shortly following birth. There is evidence the practice of hatting can actually interfere with mother baby bonding. There is also no scientific research that shows applying a hat to the baby's head warms the baby or prevents heat loss better than skin to skin contact, I would never have guessed that even the act of hatting could be controversial.

http://www.spiritofilithyia.com/hat-hat-strange-conundrum?goback=.gde_1898608_member_203811335

Is Placenta Encapsulation a Sin?

This is quite a touchy subject, but after reading a blog the other day written by another Christian, I felt I had to comment.

Disclaimer: This is written from a non-denominational Christian perspective. Your beliefs and viewpoints will most likely vary. I am placing no judgment of any kind on anyone. This is God's job. You must ultimately take it up with God as to whether you believe what you're doing is right or wrong. Here is my opinion based on my research and prayer.

First, I feel it is important to define sin. I traditionally believe sin to be anything that separates us from God. Others will have their own definition. The official definition is a transgression of moral law or a deliberate disobedience to the known will of God. I don't look at sin as a list of do's and don'ts. Instead, it is more about relationship with God and following his will for your life.

So, I pose my first question. If God is the creator of all things. He created us as women. He created the way we procreate. He knits our babies in our wombs. He created the placenta; it's functions, it's design, it's purpose. We do know there is a benefit to consuming the placenta. So, if the placenta is designed by God to have a benefit to a new mother, then why would God consider it something that would separate us from Him? Why would it bother Him? It's His design. I don't believe it is something that separates us from Him as a general rule. However, I do believe on some level sin is individualized. God may say to someone something He doesn't want them to do. They get this clear message, but do it anyway. It doesn't mean it was a wrong thing in general, it's just that God asked that specific person not to do it and that person disobeyed. I believe scenarios like this do happen. So, by being in tune with God and listening to His will, if He makes it clear placenta encapsulation is not part of His will for your life, then by all means, you should listen. But to view placenta consumption as a blanket sin for everyone is where I draw the line.

There are some who feel it is a sin because placenta consumption is cannibalism. I wrote an entire post on this subject recently and can be found here. . . http://phoenixplacentaencapsulation.blogspot.com/2013/01/is-placenta-consumption-cannibalism.html. Because I make the conclusion that I do not believe consuming the placenta is the same thing as cannibalism, then I cannot label placenta encapsulation a sin based simply on this theory.

I read somone's opinion on a discussion board that we are covered by grace and not the law. I liked this discussion as well. In the Old Testament, they had laws and rituals they had to follow as part of their relationship with God. It was very different than before the Messiah came. Now that Jesus has come and pardoned our sins, we are covered by grace. This is why in the New Testament, we are now able to eat all types of meat (see Peter's vision in Acts 10:9-16) and not have to abstain from certain types because it's the grace of Jesus that is the way to God, not the law. We can't do anything to lose our salvation so long as our belief is in Jesus because it is by grace that we are saved, not by works (Eph 2:8).

Consider this verse: "Do not let the eating of food destroy the work of God. All foods are alright to eat, but it is wrong to eat food that causes someone else to sin." Romans 14:20

Here is also a quote I found from a Catholic priest who was unidentified: "I cannot find anything in the teachings that approaches this exact subject as it is very specific. As for your moral issue...Sin lies in the intent. So the lady who wants to encapsulate her placenta and ingest it would not be sinning because that her intent is to use it in a good way, not in any way which would harm anyone." 

A lot of the discussion out there questions how consuming the placenta is any different than chewing your fingernails or picking your nose (gross I know, but a valid thought). I brought up a story I'd heard about a man who was stranded for seven days used his urine and sweat from squeezing out his socks to stay alive. How is this different? If it's okay to use your breast milk (something from your body and again something God designed) to nourish your baby, then how would it be a sin to use the placenta to nourish yourself?

I do not believe placenta encapsulation is a sin. Ultimately, I believe that each person who has a relationship with God and is concerned over whether something is a sin, should pray over it and take it up with God personally. The evidence, however, is in favor that placenta encapsulation is fine. It is not cannibalism. God does not particularly command not to do it in His word. So, ultimately pray over it and have peace with whatever you decide. 

An Experience with Placenta Encapsulation

I really enjoyed hearing about this woman's experience with placenta encapsulation. If you're on the fence and trying to decide what you should do, her words may bring you some peace.

http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2011/10/the-benefits-of-placenta-encapsulation-for-postpartum-healing.html.

Known Ingredients in the Placenta and Their Healing Properties

Gonadotrophin: the precursor to estrogen, progesterone and testosterone,
Prolactin: promotes lactation,
Oxytocin: for pain and bonding; produced during breastfeeding to facilitate bonding of mother and infant. In pharmaceutical form this is a very addictive drug because it promotes a feeling of connectedness with others,
Thyroid stimulating hormone: boosts energy and helps recovery from stressful events,
Cortisone: combats stress and unlocks energy stores,
Interferon: stimulates the immune system to protect against infections,
Prostaglandins: anti-inflammatory,
Hemoglobin: replenishes iron deficiency and anemia, a common postpartum condition,
Urokinase inhibiting factor and factor XIII: stops bleeding and enhances wound healing,
Gammaglobulin: immune booster that helps protect against postpartum infections.

Is There Scientific Evidence for Placenta Encapsulation?

There's many complaints out there that there isn't enough research or scientific evidence for placenta encapsulation, which deters some women from choosing to experience the benefits of consuming their placenta.

I want to make it clear that there is some research out there. Some of the studies can be found here. . . http://placentabenefits.info/research.asp.

No one would deny that we can always use more research. However, placenta encapsulation has been being used in other cultures, especially China, for hundreds, possibly several thousand years. For those familiar with both Western and alternative medicine, Western medicine and the research that goes along with it is usually a bit behind other therapies that actually work. We seem to place so much emphasis on the research behind various therapies. Other cultures don't do this. They pass down knowledge of medicine through the generations and no one questions whether it works because they all experience the benefits and know. In many ways, there are a lot of therapies and "medicine" from other cultures that are superior and more advanced than ours despite a lack of "scientific" research.

Any new therapy that comes into our culture has to go through a process of scrutiny and judgment. It's most often called quackery and ridiculed. In time, we do come to realize the benefits as research catches up. During that lag time, however, those who are waiting solely for research do miss out on things that can help them; placenta encapsulation potentially being one of them.

Placenta encapsulation is gaining so much steam in even our mainstream culture not because of the scientific research behind it, but because those willing to go on the centuries of ancient wisdom and try it are sounding the alarms that it works! Women who try it are thrilled with the results! I haven't yet heard of anyone regretting getting their placenta encapsulated or not experiencing at least something.

One thing is also certain from placenta encapsulation; it won't harm you. There are no contraindications. There are no side effects. The absolute worst scenario is that you would spend roughly $200 and then not experience what you were hoping you would. I haven't yet have this happen by the way, but at least that's the worst and not some detrimental damage.

So, yes, we have some research. We can definitely use more, but until then, it doesn't mean that placenta encapsulation doesn't work. There will always be naysayers and skeptics that warn women to be careful. Women should be educated and informed to make decisions, but to me, a lack of copious scientific evidence is not necessarily a reason to rule something out completely. If something could help me and had no chance of harming me, then I would take my chances. I would say, why not try it and see?

Home Waterbirth. . . Baby Born in the Caul

I found this video very interesting and wanted to share. It is graphic, so keep that in mind if you choose to watch. The baby is born in the caul and you can actually see the baby blinking and the turning to position for birth. Fascinating!

Is Consuming the Placenta Pica?

I heard this question the other day and thought it odd anyone would suggest consuming the placenta is pica, but I wanted to address it just the same.

Pica is a disorder characterized by cravings for non-nutrient substances such as clay, chalk, paint, etc. It can occur during pregnancy. It is sometimes linked to an iron or zinc deficiency.

Implying that placenta consumption is pica signifies a misunderstanding of the placenta and why consuming it would be beneficial.

The placenta is not a non-nutritive substance. It contains lots of nutrition. Interestingly enough, if a woman recently having given birth was experiencing pica due to iron deficiency, the placenta would be a great resource for helping to correct the underlying deficiency causing the pica as the placenta is full of iron.

The placenta may not be the most common thing to eat, but it is certainly not pica. It contains nutrition. It has multiple benefits for a woman recently having given birth and therefore has a purpose to consuming it. We can safely put this rumor to rest.