Why Ginger and Myrrh?

A question I am often asked is whether anything is added to the capsules. In the Traditional Chinese method of preparation, nothing is actually added to the placenta or the capsules, however, two spices are used during the steaming process in the water below.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, both these herbs are warming herbs and complement the properties of the placenta.

Ginger is used to help mask the aroma during the steaming process while Myrrh is used to pull the essence of the placenta back into it. This basically means the myrrh enhances the healing properties of the placenta.

Why to Reconsider a Placenta Smoothie?

There seems to be conflicting information on whether placenta smoothies are a good option. Until recently, I didn't know that there may be a reason why it would be best to avoid the smoothie altogether, but according to the Placenta Benefits.info website:

“Traditional Chinese Medicine suggests, blending, pulverizing, or masticating the raw placenta is harsh and imparts negative energy into the live tissue. It is neither recommended to chew nor blend raw, fresh, or frozen placenta for smoothies. Adding placenta powder to smoothies 48 hours postpartum is a viable option.”

I do still believe placenta smoothies do hold benefits for those interested in trying them. What are your thoughts? What have you experienced?

Can I Encapsulate My Placenta If I Had An Intrauterine Infection During Labor?

Unfortunately, if an infection develops shortly before or during labor, the current recommendation in the field is that it renders the placenta unfit for consumption.

I have some reservations about this blanket recommendation, however, and encourage individual clients to still contact me so we can discuss your particular situation.

When working as a labor and delivery nurse, I have observed varying degrees of infection. I have also noted overzealous doctors diagnosing an infection when they had no verification of a true infection. I would encourage women who are diagnosed with an infection to gain verification of this and ask questions, particularly if you are not noticing severe symptoms.

One issue not fully disclosed to women, but fully aware of by the medical staff is that an epidural commonly and routinely can cause a fever during labor. This is a tricky situation on many levels because the fever does not indicate an infection, but is simply a reaction to having an epidural. When a fever appears during labor, often times, unnecessary antibiotics are given, extra tests are done on the baby after birth, and the placenta is sent to the laboratory for testing. All these precautions are taken when there was not an infection present to begin with. This is why if having your placenta encapsulated is important to you, make sure you ask questions and make sure you truly have an infection.

I would also go so far as to say that in the case of a mild infection, I would choose for myself to still encapsulate. I know the steaming process kills the bacteria present and I would feel comfortable for myself to make that decision. Also, if you have a cold or other infection in your body, not in the uterus, the placenta should still be fine to encapsulate.

Baby Taken By Hospital Personnel After Parents Question Vaccine

Are our rights as parents to make decisions for our children being taken from us?

This is a story about a woman who had been hoping to have a homebirth, who ended up having a hospital birth due to her baby being born prematurely. What ensues at the hospital is any parent's worst nightmare, ending with a social worker taking the newborn baby into custody over a vaccine issue.

Read the entire story here: http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/mother-who-questions-vax-at-hospital-has-newborn-taken-away/.

Can I Share My Placenta Capsules With Others?

Yes. I have had family members of clients want to try a capsule. This is perfectly acceptable as the capsules will not harm anyone. Other family members may experience a nice increase in energy and a feeling of general well-being, however, only a new mother is going to experience the range of benefits designed specifically to help her recover.

So, that brings up a little topic I need to mention. Because the placenta capsules do give some benefit to family members as well, I have heard from clients that some husbands like the capsules so much they start taking their wives' capsules! Many women are too fond of their capsules to want to share very many of them, and a lot of husbands aren't interested, but I do have to say, while letting a family member try a capsule or two is fine, don't let your husband share in continually taking your capsules! The placenta capsules are an important part of your postpartum recovery and while I've heard some men going through a stressful time found the capsules helpful, there are other things they can do to ease a stressful transition. The placenta capsules are uniquely designed by your body for you and nothing else can replace the benefit they offer during your postpartum time.

Can I Encapsulate My Placenta If I Took Medications During Pregnancy?

Yes you can! The placenta does not act as a storage facility. It acts as a filter. The placenta tries to protect the baby's exposure to substances, but the substances that the placenta deems unsuitable for the baby don't just get stuck and stay in the placenta. The placenta sends them back into the mother's circulation to be eliminated by the body's natural channels.

The one thing the placenta may store is heavy metals. This means a woman who choose to smoke during her pregnancy will have rendered her placenta unsuitable for consumption.

But medications taken during pregnancy should not have an effect.

Can I Encapsulate My Placenta If I Have HIV or Hepatitis B?

The current recommendation in the industry is that a woman infected with HIV or Hepatitis B or C should not consume their placenta. Because of the health hazards involved, the hospital would probably not be legally allowed to release a placenta in these circumstances.

I do know, however, that HIV is ridiculously easy to kill and the steaming process would effectively kill the virus present in the placenta. I also know the cleaning methods and standards of sanitation involved in the encapsulation process are effective against blood borne pathogens. With these two thoughts, if I were HIV positive and had my baby at home as I choose to do anyway, I would probably keep my placenta and encapsulate it. I would be willing to assume any risks associated with that decision.

So, my point is that if you you have a blood borne illness but feel strongly about encapsulating your placenta, then do your research. Learn about your illness and decide if you feel it really should exclude you from encapsulating. Decide where your comfort level is and if it is something feasible for you.