That’s right. There are legitimate reasons why keeping your placenta post-delivery is a really, really good thing. And I’m going to give you five reasons why encapsulating your placenta and taking it postpartum is the best thing you can do for your recovery after labor and delivery.

My postpartum recovery with my second son was HARD. The L&D was easy, but my recovery was long and painful. I used all my pain meds and needed more. I was in agonizing pain for weeks, bled for nearly 4 weeks and struggled with my milk production from day 1 which ultimately led to me formula feeding (which I do not regret for the record #fedisbest).

                                           

I heard some lady friends talking about eating their placenta and I was like nope. Never. That’s awful and gross. NO WAY! Then I did my own research and found that there may be something to this. First of all, you don’t have to EAT your placenta in the traditional sense. Nor do you have to blend it in a smoothie and drink it for breakfast. Now that does indeed sound gross. Instead you can get your placenta encapsulated (turned into capsules) and take them like you would your daily vitamin. After I did some research I decided this was something worth giving a shot and if it didn’t work, then whatever. No harm, no foul.

So here are my five reasons why every woman should keep their placenta, encapsulate it and why I recommend it to every pregnant woman, friend, family member I know.

FIVE REASONS TO KEEP YOUR PLACENTA

1. GOT MILK?
   As I mentioned, my milk production was low and led to an unsuccessful breastfeeding journey with my middle son. My placenta pills aided in my milk production right away. I immediately saw an increase in my milk and now that I am nearly 7 weeks postpartum they have helped me to maintain my supply to this crucial point postpartum where your body starts leveling out on your production. So if you’ve had supply issues in the past, this is more than enough reason to keep your placenta. It really does make a difference.
2. NO MORE DIAPERS
   Around 7 days postpartum I was nearly already done bleeding. This was a far contrast from my last recovery. My L&D was very similar to my last — speedy and uneventful. So I was surprised when my bleeding had pretty much stopped so soon. I no longer needed the hospital diaper underwear and was already well on my way to a speedy recovery.
3. WHO NEEDS COFFEE?!
   The energy! Oh my gosh… this was one thing I had heard of that peaked my interest from the start and it was most definitely true. When you eat your placenta you’re putting the hormones and nutrients back into your body. I had SO MUCH energy it was crazy! Even with little sleep because #lifewithanewborn pretty much guarantees no sleep I was still feeling amazing and so energized. I actually had to take less than prescribed by my doula because they were giving me so much energy at first! I have since adjusted to them so they don’t give me quite as much energy, but I still get a pretty good boost when I take one. And it’s been amazing to have while breastfeeding because I can’t drink much caffeine or indulge in a pre workout, so the placenta pills have given me the natural boost of energy I need as a mom of a newborn + two toddlers.
4. MOVING & GROOVING
   Along with the reduced bleeding my recovery overall has been fantastic. Within just a few days of taking my placenta pills I was already feeling back to normal and  just so, so good. I honestly never felt that good so quickly after my last delivery and I know for a fact my placenta aided tremendously in my speedy recovery. By 1 week postpartum I was ready to exercise (although I still waited a couple more weeks), but was already getting out of the house for shopping trips, visiting family, going to church and doing lots of walking. My recovery has been absolutely amazing this time around.
5. NO MORE TEARS
   Postpartum hormones are nothing to joke about. There are so many women that suffer from postpartum depression and a rollercoaster of emotions after giving birth. Eating your placenta will drastically decrease your chances of suffering PPD and all the hormonal issues that come along after delivery. While I have had some hormonal issues this time around, I know that on the days I wouldn’t take my placenta pills I would feel a lot more depressed and saw some PPD peeking through. I fear what I would’ve been like had I not had my pills to lean on during this difficult transition.

My placenta encapsulation experience has been amazing. And that was also in part to the awesome local professional doulas I hired to do the job. I worked with Doulas of Michigan for these services and they were absolutely spectacular. From their impeccable customer service, to their prompt feedback with the 100 questions I had, to their in-home postpartum doula services that come as part of your encapsulation package — I was more than satisfied with them and highly recommend them to anyone. They did the encapsulation in my kitchen which at first I wasn’t too sure of, but ended up being great. In between the doula working on the capsules, she was able to assist me in answering questions I had and was a tremendous help with breastfeeding issues I was having. The postpartum care was definitely a huge perk.

So in short? I recommend placenta encapsulation to every mom. It is easily the best thing I could’ve done to care for my postpartum self. And I’m pretty sure every momma could use a little extra help in those early weeks following child birth. Make it a little easier, do yourself a favor and keep that damn placenta as much as it grosses you out.