Placenta Preparations
What is Placentaphagia?
In a nutshell, it is the ingestion of the placenta by the mother after birth. It can happen in many ways including raw or processed. The placenta can be helpful immediately after the birth of the baby to help slow post-partum bleeding. Other mothers choose to ingest a preparation of raw placenta in a food dish. However, it is becoming more common that the placenta is prepared and encapsulated to assist the mother through the post-partum period and beyond. | 
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What are some of the Placenta Preparation & Rituals
The placenta is often forgotten in our modern society. In traditional cultures it is usually honoured and respected. These traditions are now being acknowledged by birth workers and mothers as something that is important and helpful for the post-partum stage.
The placenta can be honoured and prepared in a number of different ways. Including
The placenta is often forgotten in our modern society. In traditional cultures it is usually honoured and respected. These traditions are now being acknowledged by birth workers and mothers as something that is important and helpful for the post-partum stage.
The placenta can be honoured and prepared in a number of different ways. Including
- Steamed, dehydrated and encapsulation (inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine)
- Raw dehydration and encapsulation
- Raw Capsules
- Placenta Print
- Cord Keepsake
- Homeopathic Remedy
- Placenta Tincture
- Burial
| Benefits
There is growing research into the benefits of placenta ingestion during the post-partum period. The placenta contains a balance of hormones and nutrients that are specific to the mother. Many women have experienced:
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How is the placenta prepared?
The placenta is prepared according to the mother’s preferred method. However, the standard encapsulation process includes washing the placenta and removing the cord for dehydration. The placenta is placed in the steamer, with ginger/chilli/lemon in the water. When cooked, the placenta is cut into thin slices and dried overnight in a dehydrator. The cord is also placed in the dehydrator for a keepsake. The dried placenta is then turned into a powder and placed in capsules.
What are the differences between Traditional Chinese Medicine and Raw methods of preparation?
TCM – This method is the one that is most widely used for encapsulation. It is generally believed that it is best for a post-partum mother to ingest warming foods during this period. Hence many placentas are steamed and other warming foods are incorporated into the process such as ginger, lemon, pepper or chilli. Each TCM practitioner will have their own preferences on how encapsulation should be done. The TCM method provides a slow release of energy when compared to the raw method. This is an important benefit as some mums may relapse in their recovery if they feel too energised too early in the post-partum period. It is believed that the TCM method helps preserve the nutrients and benefits of the placenta. Please note that I am not a TCM practitioner. My encapsulation process is inspired by the TCM methods.
Raw Method – It is believed that the raw placenta provides a stronger burst of energy to the mother, which may be beneficial in the first few days. Particularly if there has been a large blood loss. Raw foodists believe that cooking the placenta will remove valuable nutrients and enzymes. However, if a placenta is left in its raw state nutrients and enzymes are lost in the freezing process over a period of time. Also, it’s important to note that traditional slow cooking methods have shown to make other nutrients in foods more available via the cooking process.
Some mothers ask for a preparation of raw capsules for the first few days, with the rest of the placenta steamed then encapsulated.
How many capsules does a placenta make?
This depends on the size of the placenta, but expect somewhere around 100 capsules.
How should I store my placenta capsules?
After the encapsulation process is completed placenta capsules will be placed in a sealed jar and should be kept dry. I recommend refrigerating placenta capsules for maximum freshness and for long term storage they should be kept in the freezer. Placenta capsules may be taken directly from the refrigerator or freezer.
Can I still encapsulate my placenta if I have a medicated /CS Section/premature birth?
Yes, absolutely. If you are unsure whether your placenta can be encapsulated, feel free to Contact Me.
What is the ideal time for encapsulation?
Ideally, the placenta will be kept refrigerated within 3 hours of birth, and then prepared within 24 hrs. It is thought that the hormone levels start to drop within the first few days, though the nutrient levels are still there.
Can a frozen placenta be encapsulated?
A frozen placenta is best stored in a double bag. The most benefits will be received by processing the placenta within the first six months. However, many mothers have gained benefits for placentas processed after this point.
The placenta is prepared according to the mother’s preferred method. However, the standard encapsulation process includes washing the placenta and removing the cord for dehydration. The placenta is placed in the steamer, with ginger/chilli/lemon in the water. When cooked, the placenta is cut into thin slices and dried overnight in a dehydrator. The cord is also placed in the dehydrator for a keepsake. The dried placenta is then turned into a powder and placed in capsules.
What are the differences between Traditional Chinese Medicine and Raw methods of preparation?
TCM – This method is the one that is most widely used for encapsulation. It is generally believed that it is best for a post-partum mother to ingest warming foods during this period. Hence many placentas are steamed and other warming foods are incorporated into the process such as ginger, lemon, pepper or chilli. Each TCM practitioner will have their own preferences on how encapsulation should be done. The TCM method provides a slow release of energy when compared to the raw method. This is an important benefit as some mums may relapse in their recovery if they feel too energised too early in the post-partum period. It is believed that the TCM method helps preserve the nutrients and benefits of the placenta. Please note that I am not a TCM practitioner. My encapsulation process is inspired by the TCM methods.
Raw Method – It is believed that the raw placenta provides a stronger burst of energy to the mother, which may be beneficial in the first few days. Particularly if there has been a large blood loss. Raw foodists believe that cooking the placenta will remove valuable nutrients and enzymes. However, if a placenta is left in its raw state nutrients and enzymes are lost in the freezing process over a period of time. Also, it’s important to note that traditional slow cooking methods have shown to make other nutrients in foods more available via the cooking process.
Some mothers ask for a preparation of raw capsules for the first few days, with the rest of the placenta steamed then encapsulated.
How many capsules does a placenta make?
This depends on the size of the placenta, but expect somewhere around 100 capsules.
How should I store my placenta capsules?
After the encapsulation process is completed placenta capsules will be placed in a sealed jar and should be kept dry. I recommend refrigerating placenta capsules for maximum freshness and for long term storage they should be kept in the freezer. Placenta capsules may be taken directly from the refrigerator or freezer.
Can I still encapsulate my placenta if I have a medicated /CS Section/premature birth?
Yes, absolutely. If you are unsure whether your placenta can be encapsulated, feel free to Contact Me.
What is the ideal time for encapsulation?
Ideally, the placenta will be kept refrigerated within 3 hours of birth, and then prepared within 24 hrs. It is thought that the hormone levels start to drop within the first few days, though the nutrient levels are still there.
Can a frozen placenta be encapsulated?
A frozen placenta is best stored in a double bag. The most benefits will be received by processing the placenta within the first six months. However, many mothers have gained benefits for placentas processed after this point.
