Thread: Those of you that encapsulated your placenta...

How much did you take and when?

I keep forgetting to bring my pills home- they got delivered to my dad's house, and I keep forgetting them in his fridge!

My hormones are definitely going crazy- I cry all the time. I have a huge, constant fear that I am doing something wrong without even knowing it- and that when my DH leaves on Saturday (back to Africa for 6 weeks) I'm going to do something to mess up or break my sweet little girl. In a way right now I feel like I'm scared to leave the house with her, because I just want to stay at home on the couch where I know I just have to feed and change her, and I can keep her safe.

Needless to say, I'm a little worried that I might be suffering from a little bit of PPD.

So...once I get my hands on my pills... how many should I take a day? Do you think it's worth just trying taking them and seeing if that makes a difference?? Surely what I'm feeling is somewhat normal for less than two weeks post partum?

This is a good question. I am obviously not there yet, but I think my friends who have done it take one a day. Could you contact the person who did and ask them. That is what I would do. I hope it helps because yes what you are exsperiencing does sound like some ppd coming on. It sounds like how I was at two weeks pp with DS.

It is very normal to feel unsure of your ability! I don't think any first time mom has not thought at one time or another they aren't doing a good job. You REALLY need to get your hands on those pills pronto!! I started taking mine on day 3 and I felt like a whole new person. I was told to take 2, 2 times a day for the first 2 weeks and then slowly taper them off until they are gone. It sounds like you are trying to stay on top of it and it is really good to be aware of when you are feeling like it isn't normal "baby blues" and is edging towards PPD. Like I said get those pills! Can your dad bring them to you tomorrow or can your hub leave for a little bit in the morning and pick them up?

My DH is going to go pick up the pills this morning, so I should have them by afternoon (he has some errands to run as well).

I guess the tough thing is that I don't know what "normal baby blues" feels like, so I'm not sure if what I'm feeling is normal or more serious. I can say that generally I feel pretty ok in the morning and things get more overwhelming towards evening.

I had very similar feelings after my first baby (not my second). In retrospect, I believe it was "just" the baby blues even though mine lasted for about the first 2 weeks. It never got worse after that, only better, so I'm sure it wasn't PPD. The first birth & baby experience in your life is a HUGE transition to go through so it is definitely going to be rough at times. I'm certainly no expert, but I think what you're describing sounds fairly normal to me.

I had my placenta encapsulated after my second baby. I don't remember exactly how many I took, but I would guess maybe 3-5 pills at each meal for the first week or two after birth. After that I would just take them as needed, if I was having a rough day or something. I don't know if there's a hard and fast rule about dosage, but then when you think about it, I don't think you could really "overdose" on them, kwim? I mean some moms eat their entire placenta in a lasagna or something like that within a few days.

Hang in there, you are doing a great job. You will feel better soon I'm sure, as your hormones start to stabilize. And if in doubt, don't hesistate to talk to your doctor or MW!

Originally Posted by Marite13

My DH is going to go pick up the pills this morning, so I should have them by afternoon (he has some errands to run as well).

I guess the tough thing is that I don't know what "normal baby blues" feels like, so I'm not sure if what I'm feeling is normal or more serious. I can say that generally I feel pretty ok in the morning and things get more overwhelming towards evening.

I just re-read this part and it reminded me of when my first baby was just a newborn. DH would arrive home at supper time, ask me how my day was, and I would just burst into tears because I felt so overwhelmed. So that part sounds normal to me. Again, I'm no expert, but it really IS a hugely overwhelming new way of life to adjust to, and hormones make everything seem way worse.

Hi Mara I'm so sorry your feeling this way, having a new baby is a huge transition. Add in a hubby leaving for 6 weeks to Africa and it's any wonder your emotions are a bit on edge right now. Be patient with yourself & remember to take care of yourself too. Is there anything you can do to help your days go smoother for you?

Have you been able to get a hold of the placenta pills? There really is no hard & fast rule to this - I would suggest as a pp did to take 2 each day for the first two weeks and then tapper off. If you feel you need more take 2 three times a day. It's really important to get your omega's in as well, especially postpartum & to make sure your eating healthy (as best you can, don't beat yourself up over it) -

KUP on how things are going!

Mara--How did you arrange for the encapsulation? I know you were in a hospital for your birth as I will be. My chiropractor has suggested doing encapsulation since I have issues when not pg/pp and struggled with it last time. What did you do with the placenta? Did you have to carry it someplace? Both DH and I are very squeamish and find it super gross so we'd rather not have to handle it personally.

Originally Posted by kvo

What did you do with the placenta? Did you have to carry it someplace? Both DH and I are very squeamish and find it super gross so we'd rather not have to handle it personally.

You can always ask the nurse or doctor to put it in a freezer ziplock bag then put it in another grocery bag or something so you don't have to look at it when you bring it to whoever does it... if the hospital doesn't do it.

There are Placenta Encapsulation Specialist's (PES) via Placenta Benefits Info (PBI). They will often come & pick up the placenta right after the birth so that it can be taken care of w/out worry of the placenta going bad. You can also ask around your local birthing community (douals, midwives, CBE's, LC's & so forth) to see if they of anyone who does it.