This is a really cool recommendation from Brittany who wrote about her experience on her blog... http://lessonsinlifeandlight.com/2011/07/15/i-ate-my-placenta/
Enjoy!
"Thank you. Will Recommend. I felt a huge difference and love how they make me feel. Such a blessing. " Shannon Armstrong
"My husband and I were so glad we tried this. We weren't sure how much of a difference we would see, but we were pleasantly surprised. My husband referred to them as "miracle pills". It was a great experience ans we would do it again; if we have any more kids. I will say that the phone calls didn't come very timely. All were made around 5 and 6 weeks. Life got crazy and I didn't speak to you in the end, but we loved it all and were so thankful!" Jena Maxwell
"The pills definitely helped with baby blues and recovery. I still had cold-like symptoms like my first time. Which I believe is from my non-protein diet. But I would still recommend anyone to take advantage of the placenta encapsulation." Kim Lightner
"I have felt great since taking the capsules. I appreciate that Gretchen came all the way up to Ketchum to provide this service for us! I hope that more women hear about and have the opportunity to use their placentas. I am truly considering learning the process and getting trained to help others in our community. Thank you! Laura Crist
"I felt like you were incredibly professional and genuinely concerned for my healthy recovery ( and for a joyful birth process). I really appreciate your willingness to work with us on scheduling while we were still in the hospital."
"Unfortunately, I had to stop taking the capsules due to gallbladder problems. I am thankful to you and your service. Gretchen went above and beyond just making capsules. Shee offered me breastfeeding support and even offered to stay with me when my husband had to leave to run an errand. She is a remarkable woman!" Carmen Adams
"I noticed a difference the first day I took my capsules. I had more energy and even needed to take less because I really felt a difference with them. Gretchen was great. She was very encouraging and had great follow up. I was impressed by Gretchen's professionalism and caring attitude in our postpartum recovery. I will definitely use Gretchen's services again! Melinda Hughes, PAC - www.integratedmedicalarts.com
"I think I evaded the baby blues - took 2 capsules every four hours sometimes added 2 in between, NO crying fits! When I was feeling weepy, I took a capsule. I feel more balanced. I feel normal. No big fatigue. I have more milk than the baby needs. Day 4 was the hardest day. I'm staying at 3 capsules, 3x/day for an extra week."
"I am so grateful for the opportunity and benefits of Placenta Encapsulation! After having postpartum depression with my first child, this second child we wanted to do everything we could to avoid it, and this and Gretchen's aftercare followup calls were so appreciated and helped! Definitely something I recommend, no - insist, my other pregnant friends do! I know I will definitely be callling Gretchen with our next pregnancy! Thank you! Becky Gittings
"First Day I took 2 capsules 3x/day, I couldn't sleep, felt my heart racing. So just taking 2 in the morning. I'm feeling really good. My bleeding is very light."
"This was my second baby, first encapsulation. My energy levels, milk production and mood were much improved vs my first postpartum experience. I have recommended this service to a friend who is pregnant with #3 and afraid of PPD (postpartum depression). Hopefully she gives you a call!"
"Taking capsules 2x/day. It's hard to tell a difference (from my previous births). One day of emotional, but otherwise stable emotionally, milk has been good, can't tell what it's doing. I haven't experienced anything negative from them."
"Thought it was great. I would do it again. Overall I felt a pretty even mood. It's gone alot more smoothly than I expected."
"The capsules are going down smoothly and I am very happy I chose to have you encapsulate for us! You left the house looking spotless and I will call if I have any further questions. Also, thank you for making the beautiful prints! Fascinating!"
"I would recommend these services to any new mom. The capsules helped me most when I started my period 7 weeks after the birth. Thank you Gretchen!"
"I'm doing pretty good. Went out yesterday to a restaurant and the baby slept the whole time! I'm feeling a little self conscious to breastfeed in public. I have a few moments of irrational thought, but I can catch myself, and I'm doing ok. "
"Not sleeping well. Having a little anxiety, nothing too much- thoughts about how my baby can get hurt. I feel nervous driving with them. Sometimes I'm having out of place intensity when I'm not regularly taking the capsules. I forget the lunch one sometimes. My mama tiger comes out on others."
" Feelling pretty good now. I'm saving some capsules for going back to work. Wishing I had more capsules. Still having moments of irrationality and mood swings under stress. "
"Feeling really busy. No weepies. Nursing is going better. Was cracked and bleeding, plugged duct, but his weight is rising fine. Taking them one time a day now and I've been feeling pretty good. One time I felt out of whack, but I took the second capsule and that helped!"
"Doing well, actually great. Nursing hurts. He does lots of bad latches. Using Vit E Oil, that feels great, he's gaining weight fine. I'm occasionally still bawling, 1x/day, for stress release, it feels good to cry, mostly in the afternoon. "
"Feeling almost completely recuperated now. I stopped the capsules when we got thrush, but started them afterwards. My milk, mood and energy plummetted when I stopped the capsules. I still have some caps left, probably will run them out. I don't have any steam water left. " Carolyn
"I feel great! Thank you!"
I know the placenta capsules helped me! My recovery was so much better this time than it was with my first child. If I have more kids, I will have their placentas encapsulated also. oOw that I know what a huge difference it makes, I can't imagine not doing it." Erica
" I thought the whole experience was great. Not only did I experience good results from taking the placenta pills, I felt cared for throughout the process and the follow-up phone calls. The pills prevented me from having the baby blues. I can only recall two or three times in the first month that I felt weepy and two of those times I had forgotten to take my pills on time. I felt this was a great help and vital part of my postpartum recovery." Nicole
Note: This was the cleanest our sink has ever been!
Note: It was expensive, but I felt it was worth it.
*** 2011 ***
"This was the first time encapsulating and this was my 4th child. I noticed a HUGE difference! I didn't have any "weepy" days and I didn't get my usual anxiety during the postpartum period. I also noticed that I had more energy. I wasn't getting very much sleep during the first few weeks but I still was able to get through the day with 4 kids!" Colleen
"I think that by taking the placenta caps, it helped me get back in the swing of life. By taking these, my prenatals and extra Vitamin D, I'm doing everything I can to keep my depression at bay. The extra boost of energy has helped me keep up with my kids! Thank you! Lauren
"I've been tired alot, but feeling pretty good. Not too weepy. Feeding the baby every 2 hours. I am sleeping when baby sleeps. My milk is not so engorged and no more soreness. The capsules make me feel awake taking it at night. I really can tell the difference. When I feel sad, I take one and I feel better in about an hour."
" I've been good. No pills for the last few days. I feel like it really helped me. I will save them for PMS, and for going back to work. I just started pumping, I got 4 oz in 7 minutes! I'm so glad I had the capsules."
"A little weepiness, rollercoaster, having a little trouble with latch, feeling sore, baby is gaining weight well, I'm feeling tired. This time is way better than my first birth. Alot!"
"Things are going great. I love my pills. I can really tell when I don't take them. I missed them for a day and half a night and I was exhausted. My milk production is fabulous. I feel like a jersey cow." week 1 "Feeling good, pretty busy life, everything's going well. I'm feeling tired! I need more sleep. I'mnot moody at all. Nursing is good. MY milk has normalized, I'm no longer engorged." week 3
"Took last capsule today. I feel a little sadness about the placenta being gone. It was the final attachment to my baby. Taking placenta is "like an extended lotus birth". I feel like myself again. I have so much milk and it's easy to feed my baby." week 5
"I will recommend placenta encapsulation by Gretchen to every mother-to-be. It is so vitally important to get the micronutrients and energetics of the placenta back postpartum. I had not a single day of emotional instability postpartum and I largely attribute that to the hormone support from taking placenta. It also clearly supported my energy- despite the obvious sleep deprivation that goes with being a new mom." Davida
If you ever need a referral, tell them to call me! These things really work! Colleen
"Milk is in and enough. Taking prenatals. I haven't noticed any big difference. Energy is good, but still sleepy."
"Doing well, 2caps/1x/day, Energy pretty good. Baby sleeping a lot, back to accomplishing daily tasks. Mood has been good. Taking Vit D. My first child is having a hard time accepting the new baby - having tantrums and being very needy." followup
"A little weepies with tv but feeling pretty good. Nursing is going better than last time. Locial flow is light, none then light when nursing."
"Haven't had any postpartum symptoms. Feeling really tired. Down to 6 pills. Glad I did it (enapsulate). Taking prenatals, going on progesterone mini pill while nursing for birth control." followup
(support ideas: iron - for energy)
"Doing so great. Night 3 I had a total meltdown (scared/anxious), took 2 pills and haven't had any problems since. Might have a UTI from catheters used at birth."
"Went to doctor for UTI and yeast, had to stop capsules for antibiotics and diflucan. Significant differences between taking and not taking the capsules. I am happy that I got a month of feeling great after the birth. " followup
"Feeling great. I almost have to remind myself that I just had a baby. Baby didn't lose any weight from birth and I'm nursing."
"Been pretty good. 4 weeks now, first 3 weeks had more energy. Now taking 2 caps/1x/day in the morning. I have 2 low times of the day - morning and 4-6pm. I feel like I'm dragging all day long. Also taking prenatals. I'm more down when it's cloudy. I was amazed the first 3 weeks. I felt so good. Only 20 capsules left." followup
(support ideas: add iron supplement in evening before bed for morning boost, take placenta in afternoon. watch for fatigue after capsules finish. be proactive about seeking more support if needed, including B vitamins and hormone support)
"Bleeding lessened immediately. Mood stabilized. Got mastitis, needed to stop capsules while on antibiotics, then got thrush and systemic candida. Felt a huge drop when had to stop placenta. I could see how they helped when I had to quit. The first day I was ok, then second day not so great. Third day, it really got out of control. So I went to a naturopath. Naturopath put me on progesterone tablet supplement."
"Restarted caps and still using progesterone. Having adrenal fatigue. With placenta my energy is great and my mood is great." Followup
"Feeling wiped out, feeling overwhelmed, yeast under control, but still not recovered." Followup 2
"Looking and feeling great! Six months to recover. Thank you so much for the placenta capsules!" Followup 3
"Taking capsules 3x/day for 1 week, feeling good. One day of weepy before starting caps, milk came on day 2, baby didn't lose any weight."
"Tired. A couple rough nights. Gassy. Was eating cabbage, not a milk drinker. Nursing good. Smiling baby. Feeling pretty good. Tear at birth still healing. Mood - staying upbeat. Moments of overwhelm when baby cries inconsolably." followup
"I've been taking the capsules and I haven't had the weepies. It's been about a week, so I think they are really working."
"Had a head cold so stopped capsules for a week. I was ok for a few days then felt a little 'off kilter', having a harder time coping the kids. Back taking them now, they are keeping me on an even keel." followup
"Pills worked well, I think. I didn't get any baby blues, just standard teariness but that is just because this is HARD! Thanks for your services, I'll definitely refer to you..."
"My husband has noticed a huge difference from my last birth. I am way more level. My milk came quick. She's a great nurser."
"My energy level is through the roof!"
" This was very helpful to me - thank you!"
" I have recommended your services to several women I know who are expecting babies. This was my #6 baby and having had baby blues, anxiety disorder and problems with milk supply with previous babies, I was very interested in your service when a friend recommended you. My husband gave the go-ahead even though money was tight, as we faced a move to a new house right when baby was due. I have been very happy with the results. I have not had any anxiety, very little blues and my milk supply has been great. It was well worth the investment. I used the capsules longer than recommended because of the life stresses and was very pleased that my energy level was steady and my mind could focus. Combining these with good nutrition and rest was a winning combination. Thank you Gretchen!
Gretchen, I loved the capsules! They definitely helped me with recovery and I will most certainly be using your services again! I will recommend to friends too. Thank you so much! Emmy
Hi Gretchen, I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your service. I finally finished the capsules a few days ago, 4 months after the birth of my baby- as you know, I had a lot of health problems that put the pills on hold several times (I even got mastitis a few weeks ago - Can you believe it!?) But through it all, I really believe the capsules helped my overall well-being, and I am so glad I took them! Thank you so much for everything. I will remember you if/when I have my next baby in a few years. I have already told many friends about how much I believe in what you do! Thanks again, Sarah
"The pills gave me a ton of energy. Your services was non-intrusive and very professional. I am 7 weeks postpartum and haven't felt any baby blues or depression. Thank you for everything."
"Gretchen, thank you SO much for providing this service. I honestly don't know what I would have done without it."
"I can't believe my quick recovery! It was amazing how it helped me get right back on my feet. Thanks for your help."
"Everything was great thank you. I'm referring you to everyone I know."
"Doing very well, been feeling great. The prints are cool. Still taking painkillers, using acupuncture. Taking 3x/day will move to 2. A little weepy when my mom left, felt "hormonal" but nothing big."
Stopped capsules due to mastitis
Issues with milk supply ensued due to using breast shields nursing when sore, mastitis, lost 30 lbs in first month.
"Started capsules 2-3x/day to boost milk, pumping, fenugreek."
Cesarean birth - St Al's
First time mom
"My milk came in today and I'm not crying. With all my other births, I was bawling on this day. I love it! I have so much energy, but I went out too long today, so I'm going to rest now."
"Things have been going very well. I've been taking the placenta tablets regularly, and stayed at 3x/day for a second week, because we were moving and I didn't feel as well with 2x/day. Now have dropped to two and will be going to 1x/day. Using this to get through this transition has been hugely helpful. I've seen a huge difference this time, with my milk supply and my emotions and everything. It's gone very, very well."
Six time mom with prior anxiety, blues and low milk
"I followed the directions on the bottle. No super energy boost, not exhausted though, no weepies or crying the first week, nursing is going well, baby is gaining weight."
When I went down from 4 to 2 pills a day, my milk really went down! I'm a believer. I started pumping after nursing and my milk went back up. About 20 caps left, going back to work. No mood swings, no weepies.
Second time mom
Natural unmedicated birth
"Feeling a little energy boost, but it wears off quickly. Taking them 2caps/3x/day." Suggestion:2caps, 5x/day.
"The caps seem to be helping. Baby is waking 2-3 hours at night, afternoons are the hardest. Before the capsules, I just gave up, now I can keep going."
"feeling pretty good most days, feel pretty normal." followup
third time mom, felt fine first 10 weeks, then unable to function or rise from resting , moving into postpartum fatigue with complete loss of energy, tested for anemia, using large amounts of B vitamins, prenatals and iodine supplements as support
Third time mom
Placenta frozen 3mos
" It's been quite a transition (bringing the baby home). I have enjoyed taking the capsules. I can tell they are working. Things have been going really well. It's hard to remember what I felt like before the baby. I feel normal though. It was harder than I expected. We're co-sleeping, waking 4 times a night to eat, he eats quite alot! I feel like I'm getting enough sleep. I still have capsules left, taking them 2capsules one time a day. They are definitely helping. I'm doing alot better emotionally now." DemetraNatural birth
The Baby Place
"I am feeling great! I have been taking the capsules 3 times a day like it said on the card. I am not feeling the least bit depressed. I may even be the complete opposite of depressed and just feeling the total joy. I am really, really enjoying my baby. Thanks so much!"
"I have been feeling great! No signs of depression anywhere! I am down to taking 2 pills a day or every other day. I am trying to conserve them. The baby is one month old now and I am just loving this little boy! Thanks so much for your services. If I decide to have any more babies, I will definitely do it (encapsulate) again."
Second time mom who had PPD with her first
Nampa Birth Center
“The Pills made me feel great, but I stopped taking them and my pregnancy rash seemed to go away. When I started taking them again, it seemed to make my rash flair up again. I put my pills in the freezer and I am planning on saving them for when I go back to work. But I definitely could tell a difference when I took them.” Sandy
Cesarean
Frozen placenta prepared at 7 days
“Did you grind up Prozac in there or something? I feel amazing! I have patience again!” Melanie Homebirth/ Baby Place Midwives attending
I really think the pills have helped. My mood has been good. I don’t know how to explain it. I just feel good. I noticed a pretty big difference right away. I’m glad I got the capsules. I really think it was helping me feel better, but I got a kidney and bladder infection and had to stop them for awhile. Sarah
The Baby Place Birthcenter
No medication at birth
I think it does help with the fatigue. I really notice a difference with my bleeding. It had slowed to a trickle, then when I missed two doses in a row, my bleeding really increased. When I took the capsules again, the bleeding stopped. Monica
The Baby Place Birthcenter
No medication at birth
Really wonderful! Helped a tremendous amount! I used the steam water in lentil soup. Able to find a balance really quickly. The directions were easy to follow. I left the card out for a reminder.
Overall, I felt that being able to ingest my placenta helped me in numerous ways. I didn’t have hair loss that many women do. A lot of my weight came off within the first two weeks and continued until week four. I didn’t feel massive mood swings because my hormone levels felt balanced. (Nor did my spouse feel any effects of my mood swings). I felt that my body was able to regulate easily. Also, once my breast milk came in, the supply was abundant. I had so many people make comments to the fact that I looked great and appeared to be rested and happy. I contribute a lot to the ability to be supplementing with my placenta. Maria
St Alphonsus/OB attending
Pitocin induced/ cesarean birth with d&c
Since I was unable to begin taking capsules immediately post-partum, I did not have the hormone supplementation I had hoped for. However, I have noticed increased energy and milk production since I have begun taking them. The milk augmentation has been great because I have a very large baby. Thanks again. Mom
While I have no other postpartum experiences to compare this to, I can’t imagine going thru it again without the benefit of the capsules. Thrush really messed up things for awhile, but we’re doing much better now. If you ever need a vegetarian referral, just let me know. Thank you so much, Gretchen. You were a delight and I appreciate your services. Anji and Amelie
The Baby Place Birthcenter
No medication at birth
“Things are going good. If I skip one, I notice a real change in my mood. The first time I took the capsules, I noticed a dramatic decrease in my incision pain. When my milk came in, she nursed a way shorter time.”
“Went off the capsules and went back to work. Then started taking one capsule at a time. My milk came back better for pumping to stockpile.” Follow-up. Jennifer
Mtn Home AFB Hospital, OB attending
Cesarean
“When my first child was born, it was the happiest time of my life. Unfortunately, it was also greatly overwhelming and emotionally erratic. I knew that I wanted a better postpartum experience with my second child. I’m so glad I found Placenta Benefits. Taking the encapsulated placenta pills really helped my energy, stamina and mood. I didn’t realize just how much they improved my mood and energy until I went out of town for a 3 day weekend when my daughter was 3 weeks old. On day 2 of my trip, I began feeling very tired and had severe mood swings. At that time, I realized that I had forgotten my “secret weapon” in my refrigerator at home. Uh-oh. It was a very long weekend, in more ways than one. When I got home and began taking the capsules again, I quickly felt like the mother and wife I wanted to be.
I would recommend this placenta encapsulation process to any woman. Thank you for giving me a natural and effective remedy for the postpartum recovery that my family and I deserve.” April
St Alphonsus Hospital/OB attending
No medication at birth
“My milk is in full force. I have a clear head and I feel better physically than (my last birth). In between doses, I felt weepy, took the capsules and was all better. “
“I feel like I have a ton of energy. No thick fog like my last birth. With morning anxiety, I take a capsule and it goes away.”
“This was a positive experience for me. I would be willing to talk with others if they’d like a referral. “
Ashley
Treasure Valley Midwives Birthcenter
No medication at birth
"I am recovering great! My milk supply is fantastic. The lochia is almost gone. I have had a couple down, weepy times, but very little. Fleeting moments of "I can't do it. Still taking the capsules 2x/day." "Life is getting back to normal. Last week I stopped the capsules because my husband got strep throat. He noticed that I was less stable, so will start taking them again at 1x/day." Chantal
The Baby Place Birthcenter
No medication at birth
"I don't know if the capsules helped because I have nothing to compare it to (being a first time mom), other than stories from my mom about how (postpartum) was for her. I didn't experience anything negative. I felt wonderful." Lisa
St Alphonsus Hospital/Midwife attending
No medication at birth
I had a large number of pills, and so was able to take them for a couple months. I found that they helped regulate my mood, and probably helped with milk production too since my boy is growing like a weed. Mom
This was an amazing experience! My mood and milk supply were both excellent! I plan on doing placenta encapsulation with all of my future children. Thank you so much Gretchen! Krista
The Baby Place Birthcenter
No medication at birth
*** 2010 ***
“I wanted to let you know that almost immediately I noticed an increase in my milk production!! Yay!! I'm back to being quite engorged in the night if we make it to 3 hours without a feeding which is great, great great!!!”Kashia
"I used the capsules to help with energy. They were a great help!!!! Also, they kicked my milk production into full gear. I took them exactly as recommended. I will definitely use them again, no difficulties, even my family got used to the idea...sort of. Only thing I can truly say is I wish I had more of them!!! I wish I could take some of those little miracle capsules every day. Kashia – follow-up
Mtn Home AFB Hospital/ OB attending
No medication at premature birth at 36 weeks
Prepared from frozen placenta at 4 weeks postpartum
“I don't know if it's a mental mindset of having to keep it together for the baby or if it's the effect of the pill, but I've been managing the stress a bit better than I normally would. I've not had any trouble with postpartum depression. (My baby) has been sleeping through the night this week so I've been getting my rest more than when we first brought him home. So in regards to that, I'm feeling pretty good and have found some energy to do a little more than a month ago.” Julie
“I decided to have my placenta encapsulated as a result of learning of the positive benefits it would have post-partum and then continuing whenever needed. Knowing that it's a more natural supplement than a prescribed pill for PPD, iron restoration, or milk-production increase also persuaded me to encapsulate my placenta. I began taking the capsules a couple of weeks following the birth of my baby when I felt a low in energy and mood. I felt a boost in both mood and energy then, yet was still a bit skeptical about it really doing anything. I stopped taking the capsules after a few doses of thinking it worked. Now, almost 9 months later when I've experienced more lows in energy and mood, I've been taking the capsules and have noticed a significant difference - it's helped amazingly well! For me, I have a sense of balance in mood and energy on the days when I take the capsule as needed. Thank you for making this opportunity available in the Treasure Valley! I hope more women will take advantage of the benefits of placenta consumption!” Julie Follow-up
“I used the capsules on days when I was particularly stressed and feeling slightly down. I took 2 at a time, starting out over a course of about a week to 2 weeks, then taking as needed. My energy seemed to be maintained when having taken the capsules during a stressful time, and my mood when feeling down wasn’t lingering. I did not experience any difficulties using the capsules and as I have some left, will use them as needed. Thank you!”Sarah
St Luke’s Hospital
Epidural
"I would definitely recommend this to others. I was very impressed with the services Gretchen came the day after the baby's birth. She sanitized everything before and after the process. I felt her presence in our home was very comforting." Jennifer
The Baby Place Birthcenter
No medication at birth
“At the beginning we did not know much about this process. However, after Gretchen explained it to us we were hooked. I had planned to deliver naturally without medical intervention. However, at the last minute we found that it was medically necessary to have a cesarean section. This was not in our plans at all! I was so worried because I desperately wanted to save my placenta so that I could receive the benefits after birth. Rest assured… Even if you have a c-section this can still be done! Gretchen came to our house with very little notice as the days were crazy for us. She met with my sister and prepared the placenta in our home! Now months later I am refreshed and have not had the crazy ups and downs most people go through. I really believe that without this capsule I would have gone crazy! It literally takes 10 minutes to absorb. So when you are having one of those days take a capsule or two and in just about 10 minutes you will have a different outlook! Let’s just put it this way… I wish I had more!” Rebecca
St Alphonsus/ OB attending
Cesarean birth
"I went into labor naturally with twins and was so looking forward to having help with making milk. I ended up in the OR at the hospital, and the surgical tech took my placenta and put it in formalin. When I found out what happened and that I couldn't use it, I cried." Tina*
St Alphonsus/OB attending
Cesarean birth
"I feel totally fine. I feel great. Actually I'm feeling a little nervous that I feel so good. The birth was easy. I'm feeling energetic. I feel more stable emotionally (than my first birth). My milk came in right away." April
St Luke’s/OB attending
No medication at birth
"I am doing great! Those things (capsules) are amazing! Whenever I feel moody, I take 1 or 2 and an hour later feel great. My milk came in (when I got home from the hospital) and I have tons of it. I pumped a 6 oz bottle all in one time. I'm loving it! I also love the little cord. I put it in my baby's keepsake box." Raashida
Mtn Home AFB Hospital/OB attending
Cesarean birth
Frozen placenta prepared at one day postpartum