Does Placenta Encapsulation Work for Postpartum Anxiety and Depression Prevention?

I’ve been working as a placenta encapsulation specialist since 2012 and have processed nearly 1500 placenta into “vitamins” during that time. And about a year ago, I started wondering more about the validity of my claims that "#placentapillswork.

So I sent out an anonymous survey to my past clients, and the results kind of shook me.

Despite having taken their placenta pills, many of my clients still struggled substantially during their postpartum period. And when asked if they believed that placenta encapsulation was worth it, only about half of them said yes.

Yikes.

Prior to conducting this survey, the feedback I’d regularly received from clients about placenta encapsulation was overwhelmingly positive.

However, I overlooked the fact that there were many women who never responded to my follow-up surveys. I’d naively assumed that their silence was due to their busy lives and that their experiences aligned with the common outcomes reported by hundreds of other women.

For over a decade, I’ve been fervently advocating for the benefits of placenta pills, proudly sharing testimonials from my clients who reported overwhelmingly positive experiences.

However, this new information challenged my assumptions and forced me to confront the reality that placenta encapsulation might not be a universal solution. Yeah, I know, duh.

While taking placenta pills undeniably helps many women, it obviously cannot guarantee a seamless postpartum experience for everyone.

On a personal note, when I welcomed my baby into the world in 2009, the concept of placenta encapsulation was completely foreign to me. And unfortunately, like so many women, my postpartum experience was far from pleasant.

Before becoming a mom, I was an incredibly organized and detail-oriented person. My home was always immaculate, and I thrived within the systems I had carefully established for myself and my partner. However, the arrival of my baby shattered my sense of freedom and the perceived perfection I’d been used to. I hadn’t prepared myself for the changes that would accompany motherhood, and it left me utterly overwhelmed and unprepared.

My baby was born via cesarean instead of at home as I’d planned. And as a new mom, I returned home from the hospital already feeling exhausted and at a disadvantage. The constant stream of visitors I had invited to the hospital set me off behind the eight ball. Sleep deprivation and the challenges of learning to nurse while healing from major surgery compounded my difficulties right from the start.

To make matters more challenging, my baby struggled to gain weight at a steady pace. He was an intense little dude who cried constantly if he wasn’t nursing or being held and relied solely on me for comfort. It was a demanding and emotionally draining experience, to say the least.

But fast-forwarding five years to the birth of my next baby, I’d been processing placentas for years so of course, I took my own placenta pills.

The result? I experienced a remarkably easeful and joyful postpartum period.

However, this time around, there were a ton of other contributing factors that could have influenced my positive fourth trimester experience. As a second-time mom, I knew what to expect and I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead were temporary. I understood that I was not alone in this because, by this time, I was surrounded by a core group of mom friends who were there to support me every step of the way.

This baby was peacefully born at home, surrounded by the presence of my midwives, who were also my dear friends. Other members of my birth team included my partner, two of my best friends, and my four-year-old who checked in on me throughout the day and held my hand through contractions. It was everything I had hoped for.

In addition to the positive birth experience, my milk supply was through the roof this time, and my baby’s weight gain wasn’t a concern.

It’s natural to wonder how much my placenta pills played a role in this experience. I mean, I took my placenta capsules faithfully, but there were multiple factors at play that contributed to the overall positive postpartum outcome.

The combination of a peaceful home birth, the presence of a supportive community, and my own personal growth as a mother all played pivotal roles in shaping my postpartum journey the second time around. In conjunction with these factors, the pills might have contributed to the positive outcome, but it’s impossible to know for sure.

Ultimately, the postpartum experience is multifaceted, influenced by so many interconnected elements - support, love, personal growth, birth experience, and other factors.

I view placenta pills as a valuable tool in the toolbox for achieving postpartum success. They can be beneficial and contribute to a positive experience. However, it's important to note that they are not a magical solution or a standalone prescription for a joyful and effortless postpartum.

While there are scientifically and biologically plausible benefits associated with placenta consumption, such as a balanced mood, increased milk supply, and more energy, it’s important to approach it with realistic expectations. Placenta encapsulation cannot guarantee a better postpartum experience in every case.

That being said, placenta encapsulation is safe, and there’s no harm in exploring its potential benefits. It's an individual decision that each woman should make based on her own needs, preferences, and understanding of the available information.

This is why I will continue to offer placenta encapsulation services alongside my Anxiety-Free Postpartum program. My mission is to provide comprehensive support to all new mothers, regardless of their interest in placenta pills. I understand that not every woman may be interested in or find benefit from placenta encapsulation, and I want to ensure that they also receive the support they need.

Through my Anxiety-Free Postpartum program, I provide a range of resources, guidance, and tools to support women in their postpartum journey. This program focuses on addressing worry and anxiety, promoting emotional well-being, learning to set boundaries, and offering practical tips for self-care and coping strategies.

My goal is to empower and uplift all new moms, recognizing that every postpartum experience is unique. By offering a variety of services and support options, my goal is to meet women where they are and provide tailored assistance that aligns with their individual needs and preferences.

So whether you're seeking comprehensive postpartum education with support, placenta encapsulation, or a combination of both, I'm here for you. As a passionate advocate for empowering new moms, I invite you to schedule a free consultation call with me. During our conversation, we’ll explore how my services can contribute to a more joyful and seamless fourth trimester experience for you. If this resonates with you, click here to book your free consultation call. I'm excited to connect with you and discuss the ways I can support you on your postpartum journey.