 Reasons a placenta may be sent to pathology Your hospital will have it's own policy for the management of placentas. Hopefully it includes support, education and advocacy for women who wish to keep their placenta. You have the right to see any of the hospital's policies that affect you and your care.
If you want to keep your placenta, you should ensure that your choice is clearly documented in the Birth Plan section of your South Australian Pregnancy Record and that you discuss it with your care provider prior to going into labour. Please be aware that if you or your baby have any of the following conditions, your care provider will likely want to send your placenta for testing. They must still ask for your consent for this to happen.
I want to encapsulate but they said they have to send my placenta to pathology... What can you do? Firstly they can not send your placenta for testing without your permission. The only exception to this may be if your baby has died and the coroner or police request it. Remember you can always ask for more information before you make a decision. Some useful questions include:
As with any decision during your pregnancy, birth or postpartum you can use the B.R.A.I.N acronym B - benefits of this procedure R - risks of this procedure A - alternatives to this procedure I - intuituion/gut feeling about this procedure N - nothing/negotiate - what will happen if we wait or do nothing, can we negotiate If your placenta is sent to pathology, it will be unsuitable for you to encapsulate or make other remedies to consume, but you can still honour it with prints, jewellery and a burial ceremony. All placenta encapsulation clients of Elemental Beginnings are welcome to call me and discuss their options if you've been told your placenta needs to go to pathology. Are scientists skeptical about placenta encapsulation?
"Kelly, I must admit as a Medical Scientist I was a little skeptical of PE before I decided to go on this journey. As you are aware, there is no objective evidence on placenta consumption (how on earth could you do a clinical trial anyway?!) and only subjective opinions exist (which count for something, so I don't know why the literature keeps disregarding people's overwhelmingly positive personal experiences). However, after chatting with my husband about it, he said there are lots of possible pros, so other than cost, what's a con?! And as I couldn't think of any, I decided to give it a go. The first few days I was a little grossed out about eating something that was a part of me, and still gag a little if I don't swallow quickly enough and can taste the placenta (possibly because I take them in the morning). However, I have been absolutely amazed with the results and am now a full convert! I spruik PE at all of my mother's groups, to my health professionals and basically anyone who cares to listen to me. I have a strong family history of mental illness including PND and have always suffered from general lethargy and low immunity but since the birth of my baby, I have never felt more energetic in my life (and this is despite breastfeeding him for the first 8 weeks every hour to hour and a half all through the day and night). I attribute my increased energy, great milk supply, calmness, quick weight loss (-20kgs back to pre-pregnancy weight at 10 weeks PP), reduced blood loss (stopped at 3 weeks) and reduced anxiety and general happiness to the consumption of my placenta. The change in my mood is so apparent that family members have even commented. I will most definitely do it again if I am blessed with subsequent children. I can't thank you enough for giving me the opportunity. xo" ~ Lara, Adelaide Mum
 Placenta Encapsulation South Australia Do you live outside of Adelaide?
I am pleased to be able to team up with a delivery company that offers daily temperature controlled deliveries to a large number of regional areas. This means that your placenta can be safely transported to their cold storage facility here in Adelaide where I will collect your placenta from. Areas I can service:
I'm still working on Pt Lincoln and the Eyre Peninsula but I hope to be able to add you to my list soon! Please contact me for pricing inquiries or for more information on my placenta encapsulation service What a client experiences with her capsules is as unique as her placenta itself. Here is what a first time mumma and a mumma to six both had to say about their capsules prepared by Elemental Beginnings: "As this is my first baby I don't have anything to compare to but my baby has been a breeze to breastfeed, sleeps well and I think it has a lot to do with the fact I have energy, I'm not stressed and have found being a first time mum exciting, I feel I have given my baby the best start in life due to my energy and full milk, he's definitely a satisfied baby." Adelaide Mum of One " I cant thank you enough. I have never successfully breastfed any of my children, until #6, we are now very much succeeding and i feel i owe it all to your services. I also have 4 children, 4 years and under. The only way i am coping with minimal sleep and dealing with temper tantrums, general child dramas, is because of the capsules. I will be recommending you to anyone who will listen!! " Adelaide Mum of Six Did you have your placenta encapsulated? I'd love to hear about your experience in the comments below.  Placenta Encapsulation in Adelaide by Elemental Beginnings Postnatal Services Organic Placenta Balm by Elemental Beginnings Organic Placenta Balm
What's In It?
The placenta balm I make contains the following 100% natural ingredients: Sunflower Oil*, Coconut Oil*, Beeswax*, Jojoba Oil*, Cocoa Butter*, Shea Nut Butter*, Evening Primrose Oil*, Vitamin E and Rosemary*, Lavender & Sweet Orange* Essential Oils. * - certified organic Some of your dried placenta is used to infuse the balm before the essential oils are added. Why are essential oils added? Apart from making this soft balm smell lovely, I chose them for their beneficial properties. Rosemary Rosemary is recommended postnatally for exhausted mothers as a temporary relief, especially if she has tension headaches or mild blues. It may help to reduce oedema (swelling) and the astringent properties of rosemary help contribute to wound healing. Some cultures apply powdered rosemary to the umbilical cord. Lavender Lavender is probably the most versatile essential oil out there. It is thought to be antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral. Studies show that lavender may be useful in reducing infections following c-sections or episiotomy. Sweet Orange Sweet orange is one of the safest oils to be used for pregnancy and children with it's antiseptic and antibacterial qualities. This is a relaxing essence and mood uplifter. It's beneficial action on the skin may help reduce dry skin, dermatitis and striae gravidarum (stretch marks) How do I use it? You can use it just like any other balm all over your body. If you use it on your nipples, please wipe it off before breastfeeding. The balm needs to be kept below 30 degrees, preferably in the fridge. You can order your balm as part of your encapsulation package or if you already have some capsules and would like some balm made up, you can post me a couple of capsules for your balm. Contact me for more details Want the balm without the placenta?
Perhaps placenta balm isn't for you or you would like to try something different. My Postnatal Lift Balm is made with the same luxurious ingredients but with different essential oils and of course, no placenta. You can order yours below.
Postnatal Lift Balm
A$13.00 - A$39.00
This all natural skin balm is made especially for women who've just had a baby. Containing pure butters, waxes and essential oils especially chosen to uplift you. Carrying a baby and giving birth takes a lot out of the mother so here is something for you who has been through a lot, given a lot and would like to feel better!
Any information contained in this post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Please see your health care provider if you have any concerns. |
freebiesPrepare for an easier fourth trimester with these 25 Secrets From A Postnatal Doula!
blogs
All
About MeKelly Harper is the owner of Elemental Beginnings Doula & Placenta Services in Adelaide. She provides sleep consultancy, placenta encapsulation and doula services to families during pregnancy, birth and in their fourth trimester. 
|