I want to take a moment to talk about how I got into becoming the "Placenta Lady".
I never particularly thought anything special of placenta or thought to eat it or anything really at all about it beyond the awesome work it did as the fetuses life support in utero. I remember in my first pregnancy in 2008 learning about how the cord would continue to pulse blood, oxygen and stem cells into the baby for a short while after birth and I decided to negotiate 2 minutes of cord pulsing time with my home doctor in Nicargua where I birthed. He was totally watching the clock and now when I watch the video, it was more like 1 min 45 sec ;) Oh well. He was scared! Who knows what will happen if we don't cut that thing quick! Baby might jump back in or something.....
I first heard about Placenta Encapsulation from a client at the birth center where I teach classes last year. She asked if I knew anyone who did it....I didn't even know what it was! Another person asked about. So I looked it up. They do whaaaat with the placenta???? Really?!!
As a scientist, I thought it was an intriguing experiment. The research looked good and there actually were people who did this and swore by the benefits. A local doula I was getting to know brought up that she was training in placenta encapsulation. I said well if you need to practice, I have a placenta in my freezer! For some pre-cognitive reason my midwife had suggested that my husband double freezer ziploc the placenta after my daughters birth in 2010. Ten months had passed, but my friend assessed the meat and it was good.
She made capsules, tincture, a print and a cord heart keepsake. She used the Traditional Chinese Medicine method to prepare my capsules and as I smelled the placenta steaming with some herbs I felt a great let down of milk into my breasts. Wow! That was powerful. I also cried with all the emotion of my last birth coming to a close as the placenta was honored. It was very moving. Very intriguing.
That night I journaled everything she did. I was determined to do that again. It was so cool! Exciting like a science experiment. Also I wasn't grossed out. I figured women needed someone to honor their placentas. Someone who knew what they were doing, someone to take the time and honor it, respect it, and respect the moms and their desires. So I became certified and provide services now. I also educate on it in my classes. I'm glad to know about it myself! It has led to new knowledge of birthing, like Lotus birthing where the placenta remains attached until it naturally falls off. How deep does the rabbit's hole go? I'm excited to find out!
For now I will continue to grab my cooler in the middle of night and rush off to births, wherever they may be. Sometimes I get some very different looks as I show up to births with my nerdy glasses and cooler...it's the Placenta Lady! they say. I just smile. I'm happy to help.
