Placenta Encapsulation Pros and Cons
Placenta encapsulation pros and cons are all over the internet, it seems everyone has an opinion. We have personally seen hundreds of women benefit from the process. So, you may assume we’re a little bias, and justifiably so. However, let’s just take the average cons and address them as well as the pros.
Pros and Cons of Placenta Encapsulation
Although you can probably assume that we fully endorse encapsulating your placenta, it would only be reasonable to take a non-biased look at the placenta encapsulation pros and cons, and just get some placenta encapsulation facts under our belt. Consuming the placenta has been going on for hundreds of years, but just in the last few has caught on in the Western Hemisphere. Not only has this practice of Placentophagy been going on as far back as the Siege of Jerusalem in 587 BC or even earlier, but it has also been noted that almost all mammals consume the placenta.
Placenta Encapsulation Pros
There are many pros that we have seen when mothers encapsulate their placentas, as outlined on the home page. However, according to the American Pregnancy Association, placenta encapsulation has been demonstrated to assist with supplementing oxytocin levels, which in turn can assist in mood stabilization. This would also suggest that another placenta encapsulation pro would be the potential regulatory effect on postpartum hormones, this can enhance postpartum mood as well as milk supply.
Some additional placenta encapsulation pros include:
THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE – Regulates the thyroid gland; boosts energy; regulates metabolism.
ESTROGEN, PROGESTERONE, TESTOSTERONE –Contributes to mammary gland development in preparation for lactation, stabilizes postpartum mood, regulates post-birth uterine cramping.
PROLACTIN – Promotes lactation; increases milk supply; enhances the mothering instinct.
STEM CELLS – Help to repair the damage done to the body caused by childbirth. Helps you to heal and recover quicker.
VITAMIN E – Protects against toxins such as air pollution. Helps damaged skin cells to heal.
CYTOKINES – Small secreted proteins released by cells in the body. They have a specific effect on the interactions and communications between cells. They help in the making of new cells to heal and replace damaged cells and tissue.
CORTISONE – Reduces inflammation and swelling promotes healing.
INTERFERON – Triggers the protective defenses of the immune system to fight infection; inhibits virus reproduction.
PROSTAGLANDINS – Regulates contractions in the uterus after birth; helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size.
OXYTOCIN – Decreases pain and increases bonding in mother and infant; counteracts the production of stress hormones such as Cortisol; greatly reduces postpartum bleeding; enhances the breastfeeding let-down reflex.
PLACENTAL OPIOD-ENHANCING FACTOR – Stimulates the production of your body’s natural opioids, including endorphins; reduces pain; increases well-being.
CORTICOTROPIN RELEASING HORMONE (CRH)– Regulation of CRH helps to prevent depression.
IRON – Replenishes maternal iron stores to combat anemia; increases energy; decreases fatigue and depression.
HEMOGLOBIN – an oxygen-carrying molecule which provides a boost in energy.
UROKINASE INHIBITING FACTOR AND FACTOR XIII – Stops bleeding and enhances wound healing.
PLACENTAL GROWTH HORMONE – Promotes the breakdown of stored fats, sending them to baby
VITAMIN B6 – Helps support adrenal function (adrenal glands are what produces hormones); helps to calm and maintain a healthy nervous system; helps to speed up metabolism by acting as a coenzyme in the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins; helps your body to produce antibodies
VITAMIN B12 – Helps your body to use fats and carbohydrates for energy and to make new protein.
IMMUNOGLOBULIN G (IgG) – Antibody molecules that support the immune system.
HUMAN PLACENTAL LACTOGEN (HPL) – This hormone has lactogenic and growth-promoting properties; promotes mammary gland growth in preparation for lactation in the mother.It also regulates maternal glucose, protein, and fat levels.
PHOSPHORUS – Aids in digestion, hormone balance, cell repair, and nutrient utilization
All of which can enhance mental health, physical health, and recovery. We go into more detail about placenta encapsulation pros on the home page.
Placenta Encapsulation Cons
Although there are government organizations that say placenta encapsulation pros and cons are nothing but cons, we’ve read them, on average these are just talking points. However, the title of this post is, “Placenta Encapsulation Pros and Cons”, it’s only fair to take a look at some of these top placenta encapsulation cons. Keep in mind, there are currently no large randomized studies that exist to suggest or even imply that there are risks with any placenta encapsulating techniques.
The first placenta encapsulation con is there have been a small number of reports of being overly stimulated after taking placenta capsules, similar to being overly caffeinated. This could be due to the large nutritional benefits. However, this situation is very rare.
If the placenta is not made sanitary or thoroughly cleaned there is a possibility of bacteria or another issue that can cause illness. It is very important to have your placenta encapsulated by a trusted professional.
There are also rare issues where it’s possible for women to experience a decrease in milk supply after taking their placenta pills. However, we have never seen this issue occur.
Just to be fair, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns against placenta encapsulation, But as we have stated above, there are limited if any solidly documented risks in order to support the CDC recommendation. It is completely up to you whether or not to encapsulate your placenta.
We’ve been doing this for a very long time. Do you have other placenta encapsulation pros and cons you would like to discuss? Call us with any and all questions.
