The Placenta

We are thrilled to announce that Janice is in the midst of her Placenta Encapsulation Specialist training, and will be adding this incredible service to her doula work in January 2017!

The placenta: best friend to your baby for 9 months, the transient organ you miraculously grew to support life, the main ingredient in pills you ingest postpartum?!

It might be an odd thought when you consider placenta encapsulation - even I admit I was grossed out by a friend years ago who got hers done – shhhhhhh BUT I’ve seen many dogs and cats birth their babies and eat their placentas and kind of thought ‘well, they do it’… Ingesting your placenta is now a growing trend, even celebrities are doing it!

After my experience postpartum, maybe ingesting my placenta would have helped my body level out hormone levels, prevent the hives that came up and make my milk not take 5 days to come in. 

Maybe. But would I pay someone to come into my home, prepare my placenta, dehydrate it, grind it and put it into capsules for me to take IF it meant I never had to go through that? YES! A resounding yes. So if you think it is trendy or healthy or natural, whatever your take on the process, would you consider it to as a preventative measure for a known health issue?

There is not a lot of research behind placenta encapsulation and should be noted that much of the information online comes entirely from women who have tried it themselves. Traditionally the pills are taken by the mother shortly after birth and can be stored to take when your menstrual cycle returns. Also it can be made into a tincture for help with menopause symptoms.

Among these possible health benefits are:

• Increased oxytocin levels
  • helps the uterus return to normal size
  • decreased postpartum bleeding
  • encourages mother/baby bonding
• Increased CRH, a stress reducing hormone
• Increased milk production
• Increased energy levels
• Decreased in post-partum depression and anxiety
• Decreased insomnia or sleep disorders
• Balancing postnatal hormones
• Restoration of iron levels in the blood

There are currently no known negative side effects to ingesting the placenta. However, some mothers experience dizziness, headaches, engorgement and even become hyperactive. These symptoms can easily be remedied by lowering and/or changing the timing of the dosage given to the mother by her certified placenta specialist. Each placenta is unique to each mother and baby and can affect each women differently.

Placenta encapsulation is an alternative option for a healthy postpartum and it is an amazing and natural alternative to antidepressant and antianxiety medications. Whether it is just a fad and has a placebo effect on you and make you feel like super mom, if it can give you extra energy and a great milk supply, why not? If you have experienced post-partum depression or anxiety in the past why not try to prevent it. 

When in doubt I’m sure you will get a good laugh out of your family and friends reactions to eating your placenta! I bet they will think twice next time you invite them over for dinner.

xoxo

Janice

Why You Need a Postpartum Doula

If someone asked you what a Postpartum Doula does, would you know what to say? Here are 5 reasons why every mom needs to have a Postpartum Doula on her support team for the first 6 weeks postpartum.

You need sleep

The old sleep when the baby sleeps saying is true, but how are you supposed to truly turn off your mom-brain and not tend to the mounds of laundry, the dirty dishes in the sink, and oh yeah...there's dinner to prep and kids to pick up at the bus stop. A Postpartum Doula can do all of those things...while you have a nap.

Your hormones, and emotions, are raging

Sometimes, you need someone to vent to who isn't so close to the situation (ie: your best friend, sister, mom, or spouse). Someone who can give an unbiased ear, and provide you with the emotional support you need. Our team of doulas have taken additional training in postpartum support, and we have a vast network of resources for women who struggle with postpartum mood disorders. Support is there and you don't have to deal with your hormones and emotions alone.

Sometimes your partner needs support, too

This is one that I can speak to from personal experience. I wish we had of hired (or even knew what one was!) a Postpartum Doula for our first baby when I had pretty severe Postpartum Depression. My husband was run ragged, up all night with the baby and had to deal with my emotions. Sometimes, your partner needs support too and a Postpartum Doula can do that.

When was the last time you ate?

Your Postpartum Doula can ensure that you are well hydrated and fed, and ours will bring you yummy snacks, fresh juice, baked goods and more. Sometimes we drop a delivery at your door, and send you a quick text message to let you know that it's there. Other times, we swoop in and do some baking in your home...while you have a nap or hot shower!

Self care is essential to your postpartum recovery

What good are we mothers to the rest of our family if we are completely drained and burnt out? Self care is something that we really encourage our clients to take part in after they have their baby. Once a week, treat yourself to a solo date night out. A quiet coffee. Shopping. A movie...all by yourself, while your babe is at home being taken care of by your Postpartum Doula. Matinees run during the week, so there's no need to put yourself on the back burner until the weekend when your Self Care Day fits with everyone elses schedule.


The first 6 weeks postpartum are about survival, and a Postpartum Doula can ease that transition, making your survival and snuggles with your newborn that much smoother and sweeter.

xoxo
Shannon

Do's and Dont's of Postnatal Pelvic Floor Recovery

When I had this post scheduled in my editorial calendar, I had every intention of writing about the do's and dont's of pelvic floor recovery. You know...what exercises to do, how often, and all of that stuff...but then I attended a seminar by The Mama's Physio and I learned some really amazing things that I wanted to share with you!

Did you know that there are different types of pelvic floors? I had seriously no idea! It can be high or low, strong, relaxed..even short or long. I found Ibbie's seminar absolutely fascinating and the key takeaway? What many think are kegal exercises are actually not, and more often than not...they don't do a darn thing. I had no idea that the glutes and pelvic floor have to both be strong to function optimally.

I also learned that after we give birth, we actually shouldn't expect to pee when we sneeze. I assumed that this was a regular side effect from housing a baby in your uterus and then giving birth vaginally, but in fact it indicates that there are pelvic floor issues that need to be assessed and tended to.

Attended a seminar today by the brilliant @themamasphysio at @westlondoncrossfit. Always learning! #doula #pelvicfloor

A photo posted by Shannon Moyer-Szemenyei (@sweetstellas) on May 9, 2015 at 12:28pm PDT

Other things that are often brushed aside by doctors as just another sign of being a woman and having carried babies...pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence, and pain during sex. I had no idea that those female reproductive issues were things to take note of and things that a physiotherapist could help with!

One of the exercises that we were led in was drawing in long, deep breaths. Seems simple, right? But when do you do it, are you aware of where your pelvic floor is? Do you imagine it rising and falling? Do you feel the connection it have in terms of movement with your diaphragm?

I could go on and on about the seminar and all of the knowledge that Ibbie shared with us, but I really truly think that the best thing do do is tell you to go see her, or invite her over to your home for an assessment. What you may be dealing with during pregnancy or postpartum could very well be treatable, but you won't know unless you see someone with the expertise to help!

The Mama's Physio

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