Mamatoto Village
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We mamas are mammals; and most mammals know that the placenta contains vitamins, minerals, and hormones that are specific to your body; replenishing and revitalizing your energy, supplementing your emotional and physical reserves called upon to attend to the requirements of motherhood. Human mamas may also benefit from ingesting the placenta to ease the emotional roller coaster of the early postpartum period, increase breastmilk production, decrease postpartum bleeding and aid the transition of the uterus to the its pre-pregnancy state.

Approximately 80% of women experience some sort of postpartum mood imbalance, including the "baby blues," as well as Postpartum Depression, a serious condition. It is believed by some women that placentophagy or the consumption of the placenta, is a way to balance out a mother's hormone. Some mothers who have consumed their placenta's report and increase in breastmilk production, and lessen postnatal bleeding. 

Note: Evidenced based research on placentophagy is currently lacking and thus all accounts are anecdotal. 

What is the process?
Placenta encapsulation involves cleaning, steaming (depending on method), drying, grinding and encapsulating the placenta in a vegetarian capsule. This provides all the benefits without the unusual taste or smell, and preserves the placenta’s medicinal properties, ensuring many weeks hormonal support. Some women save their capsules for later in life to ease the transition to menopause. This is a 2-day process done at our space. The number of capsules produced by your placenta depends on the size, density, and overall health of your placenta. 

What are the methods of encapsulation?
For thousands of years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has recognized the placenta as powerful medicine used to increase scanty lactation and rebalance Qi, life energy, after the birth.  We use Traditional Chinese Medicine methods to gently steam, dehydrate, grind into a powder and encapsulate the placenta. We use several different spices and herbs during the steaming process to enhance the warming and healing properties of the placenta.

Each placenta is different in size and substance so the quantity of capsules can vary from 60-200. The standard dosage is 2 capsules, 3 times per day for the first 2-3 weeks. After this initial period you can start to decrease the dosage to 2-4 pills per day (as needed). By ingesting your placenta in pill form, you can reap the benefits of your placenta medicine without the aversion that some mothers feel about cooking and eating the placenta after birth. Additionally, you get a longer, sustained application over the first month postpartum than if it were only ingested immediately after birth. Leftover capsules can be frozen and save for a later time; they can be useful during other physically/hormonally stressful times. 

The Raw Method is different from the traditional method in that the placenta is not steamed or cooked in any way before dehydrating. It is still dried, ground into a powder and encapsulated, but mothers who utilize this method often report a more immediate surge of energy versus the gradual build in energy produced by TCM. Dosage in this method is 3 pills 2 times per day; daytime only. This method is a good option for those who already follow a whole foods based diet or for those who are particularly interested in the freshest hormonal benefits of placenta encapsulation.

​Can I still encapsulate if I get an epidural or cesarean?
​
Yes! You can still encapsulate your placenta if you are induced, receive an epidural/narcotics during labor, have a cesarean birth, or received antibiotics. You will however, have to get the Traditional Chinese Method. 

What are additional options for placenta preparation?
The placenta can be made into a tincture, slave, and smoothie. 

What safety measures do you take during preparation?
All placenta preparations are discreet, clean, and effective. We adhere to OSHA Guidelines for Bloodborne Pathogen Transmission & Infection Prevention, as well as EPA guidelines for sanitation and safe food handling.

Fee for Services:
Traditional Chinese or Raw Method Encapsulation is $250. If you a client of Mamatoto Village the cost is $175.  If you have any questions about our services, feel free to send us an email! If you are ready to get started with encapsulation, client button below.

​For more information or for a consultation, please contact us. We do our best to accommodate all requests, however as with our other services, the sooner you contact us in your pregnancy, the better. Has your placenta been frozen? Contact us for a consultation--we may still be able to prepare it for you!
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We Would Love to Have You Visit Soon!

Location

4315 Sheriff Rd NE
Washington DC 20019

Hours

M-F: 9:30a - 4p
Sa: By appointment
​Su: Closed

Telephone

Main: 202-248-3434
Intake: 202-248-2877
​Fax: 202-796-9146

Email

info@mamatotovillage.org

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©2015 All Rights Reserved. Mamatoto Village
  • Home
  • About
    • Meet Your Village
    • Job Opportunities
  • Black Mamas Guide
    • View the Guide
  • Virtual Classes
  • SERVICES
    • Home Visiting >
      • Make A Referral
    • Pregnancy/Postpartum >
      • Our Birth Workers
      • Labor
      • Postpartum
      • Hire Support
    • Breastfeeding >
      • Virtual Lactation
      • Lactation Support
      • Lactation Request
    • Pay for Services
  • Training
    • Perinatal Health Worker
    • Lactation
    • FAQs
    • Training Dates
    • Register
    • Pay for Training
  • DONATE
  • CONNECT