7 Things You Can Do with Your Placenta…Instead of tossing it.

Our appprentice, Hayley, is also a placenta specialist. She encapsulates, makes tinctures and cord keepsakes for many of our families and her private clients. She has written this great article about all the things you can do with your placenta. When Sarah and I were having babies, most homebirth families buried the placenta and planted a tree or some other plant on the site. This is a lovely and meaningful choice. In the last few years we’ve seen an explosion of interest in placenta medicine. So many choice! What do you want to do with this amazing organ that nourished your baby months?

by Hayley Duke; Placenta Specialist, Doula, Apprentice Midwife

Most people see the placenta as that thing that comes out after the baby is born, the afterbirth. In the hospital they take it away, but what do they do with it? Usually, the placenta is sent to pathology for analysis per policies. After they analyze it, it is thrown into a bucket with formaldehyde and tossed into the biohazard waste. After your baby is born, the placenta likely won’t be on the forefront of your mind but try not to forget about this beautiful organ that transferred oxygenated blood and nutrition to your baby throughout the course of your pregnancy. Here is a list of 7 things you can do with your placenta instead of tossing.

1. Encapsulate It.

The most popular form of encapsulating is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The first recording of using placenta in the form of medicine was by a pharmacist in China in 1578. It was started to be used in 1980 in America by a midwife who studied TCM. Encapsulation works by dehydrating the placenta and then grinding it up into a powder. The powder is then placed into vegetarian capsules. Your placenta is filled with wonderful things like: iron, vitamins B6 (aids in the making of antibodies), vitamin E (heals damaged skin cells), corticotropin-releasing hormone (reduces stress levels), oxytocin (known as the feel good hormone-essential for successful breastfeeding), and more!

2. Turn it Into a Tincture.

Turning your placenta into a tincture is just another great way to ingest the nutritional benefits. A tincture only takes a small piece of placenta so if you’d like to, you are still able to encapsulate it as well- in fact, a lot of Placenta Specialists will even offer you a discount for doing both. To make a tincture, the small piece of placenta steeps in 100 proof alcohol inside a dark colored glass bottle for at least 6 weeks. After 6 weeks you are able to take the tincture on as ‘as needed’ basis. The average recommended dosage is 7-10 drops held under the tongue for 60 seconds or more drops if going to be diluted in juice. This dose can be taken a few times per day but as always, listen to your body. The tincture has been useful for many women from PMS to menopause and can even be used for the teething infant. A tincture is a great choice if encapsulation isn’t an option for you, it is simple to do at home and the shelf life is indefinite.

3. Placenta Art.

Placenta art can be something as simple as a placenta print to something very complex like placenta jewelry. A placenta print takes very little time and supplies, here’s what you do: Get a large piece of paper or canvas, paint or food coloring if you want to encapsulate afterwards, and some cotton swabs. Lay your placenta out on a clean surface, vein side up (this is the fetal side) and pat dry with a paper towel. If you want to be really creative, you can turn the umbilical cord into a fun shape or letter. Then take your paintbrush or cotton swabs and paint the entire placenta and umbilical cord. You can do a mix of colors or just one – whatever suits you. After everything is painted, take your paper or canvas and place it right on top of the placenta. The color from the placenta will transfer onto the paper. You can do this as many times as you’d like, just make sure to wipe the placenta down with a paper towel between prints. This is a fun project the whole family can get involved with. Have fun! Placenta jewelry is very time consuming and takes a lot of practice, with a quick Etsy search you can find instructions to do it yourself or someone to do it for you.

4. Smoothie.

Yum! Placenta smoothies are a delicious way to enjoy the benefits of your placenta immediately after birth. There are many benefits for consuming raw placenta, including: it promotes faster healing, aids in easing into the hormonal transition, helps to prevent baby blues, decreases postpartum blood loss, replaces iron, vitamin B6, protein, and minerals. This is a quick and easy way to consume your placenta and like the tincture, it only takes a small chunk so you’re still able to use your placenta for something else that interests you. You can use any smoothie recipe but this one is my favorite:

Tropical Raw Placenta Smoothie Recipe

3 inch chunk of placenta
½ Cup frozen or fresh mango
½ Cup frozen or fresh strawberries
¼-¾ Orange juice (depending on consistency preference)
1-2 Tbsp Flax seed (optional)
2-3 Ice cubes

Blend ingredients together until you reach the desired consistency. Serve immediately. Contact a placenta specialist for proper placenta storage instructions to ensure a healthy placenta.

Some people like to have one placenta smoothie right away after the birth and then encapsulate the rest, while others like to have several smoothie. If you would like to save your placenta to make more smoothies, have someone cut the placenta into small 3 inch or so pieces. Place those pieces spaced out on a baking sheet so they’re not touching. Throw the baking sheet into the freezer for a few hours until completely frozen. Once frozen, store pieces in a double bagged freezer zip loc. It is very important to use proper handling- clean utensils, supplies, work space, and wash hands thoroughly.

If this sounds like to much work after you’ve just had a baby, no worries! Placenta specialists are happy to come to your home, hospital, or birth center to prepare a smoothie for you!

5. Lotus Birth.

The act of lotus birthing is leaving baby, umbilical and placenta attached for days while the umbilical and placenta dry out, naturally and gently detaching from baby. Lotus birth is the biological way to sever the bond. This is encouraged by rubbing salts and herbs into the raw placenta to preserve the tissue. It is a common misconception that you cannot choose both lotus birth and placenta encapsulation. As long as the placenta is taken care of properly and diligently during the lotus birth, the salting preserves the tissue, similar to salting fish or meat, and the placenta can be rinsed, steamed, dehydrated and put into capsules. Another benefit of lotus birth is it truly encourages the mother to take a babymoon. The babymoon is the period after birth in which the mother is lying with her newborn, bonding, nursing and cuddling skin to skin.

6. Bury It.

Burying your placenta in the garden or under your favorite tree is a wonderful way to honor the life sustaining organ. Not only will you always know where it is, the placenta also makes a great fertilizer. Remember to bury it at least 1 foot deep so you won’t have to worry about it being dug up by any curious animals.

7. Donate It.

There are plenty of people and organizations that would love to have your placenta. Call around to your local midwives, doulas and placenta specialists. Sometimes these birth workers are studying the placenta or training their students to know what is normal and what isn’t, therefore they need to see a lot of placentas. Your placenta can also be donated to be used for medical purposes to help other people (yes, placentas are just that awesome!) www.placentadonation.com is a good place to start if you’re interested in learning more about that.

Hayley is a doula, placenta encapsulator and apprentice midwife serving the Twin Cities and surrounding areas.. She believes in families and loves discussing anything related to pregnancy, birth, and babies. If you have any questions or just want to chat, she is available by phone or email.

http://www.naturesintentbirthservices.com

239-357-6616

hayleyduke@naturesintentbirthservices.com

14Jul2016

Babywearing 101 with Babywearing International at geneabirth

Posted in local events, What's New? by epiorier

There are so many benefits to babywearing for both moms and babies.

Join us on Thursday, August 11th for Babywearing 101.

Volunteer Babywearing Educators from Babywearing International of the Twin Cities will be here to do an introduction to babywearing. Learn all about babywearing safety and the different styles of carriers available. There will be time at the end for questions.

Our 2015 Babywearing 101 get-together was one of our most popular events ever. The presenters are amazing. Even if you are an experienced babywearer you will learn something. They have so many beautiful carriers and can show you so many ways to care babies of all ages.

Coffee, tea and yummy baked goods will be served. Bring your baby, of course, but toddlers and older children are welcome too. There’s plenty of room and lots of toys.

This is event is open to the community. Anyone can come; you do not need to be a geneabirth client to attend.

Free!

10:00-12:00 (presentation and coffee hour/tea time to follow)

Thursday, August 11th

Geneabirth: 851 Dayton Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104

Send me a message or comment below if you have any questions.

25Mar2016

Spring geneabirth Community Blessingway

Posted in local events, What's New? by epiorier

Geneabirth Community Blessingway

Sunday, April 17th

11am -2 pm

Geneabirth –851 Dayton Avenue,

Saint Paul MN 55104

Join us in celebration and fellowship at our community Blessingway. A Blessingway is an alternative to a baby shower, an event to mark the passage a woman makes to motherhood for the first time or each subsequent time she adds a new life to her family.

All women are welcome…pregnant, postpartum, doula or other birthworkers or any women or mothers who want to offer support, enjoy one another’s company and bask in the warm, loving birthy glow.

We will honor the mothers who came before us, sing, pamper our mothers-to-be and other guests with henna, foot rubs and shoulder massages, weave a web of support and end it all sharing a delicious meal together.

Babes in arms welcome. Please make alternative arrangements for older babies, toddlers and children.

Please bring a potluck item to share. Sparkly non-alcoholic beverages, coffee, tea, a celebratory cake and gluten-free treat will be provided.

RSVP Erin at epiorier@mninter.net or via text at 612-508-0584 or find the event on our Geneabirth facebook page and join.

15Feb2016

Introducing Hayley: Geneabirth’s Student Midwife

Posted in Information for families, What's New? by epiorier

We first met Hayley when she pregnant and chose us as her midwives. We enjoyed getting to know her and her lovely family. Hayley shared with us her midwifery aspirations very early in our relationship. We were impressed with her initiative and felt that she shared a similar philosophy towards birth, breastfeeding and family life. We invited Hayley to attend prenatals with us during her pregnancy.

After the birth of her second baby, she took some time off but has returned to her midwifery apprenticeship and went to her first births with us in January. We think she’s a wonderful addition to our birth team. She is caring, sincere, down to earth, intelligent and hard working. Hayley will be involved in the prenatal and postpartum care and births of some of our geneabirth mamas. Sarah and I both trained in this community through the traditional apprenticeship model and we find it so satisfying to share the practice of midwifery in this way. Families who work with Hayley are participating in this unbroken chain of the passage of midwifery skills from woman to woman.

I asked Hayley if she would answer some questions about herself as a way to introduce her to our community.We hope you enjoy getting to know Hayley as much a we have!

What draws you to homebirth midwifery?

There are so many things: I have always been interested in neonatal and maternal health, reproduction, feminism, babies and shock value. Homebirth midwifery offers me a chance to enjoy all of that.

Share a little bit about your own births.

Atom was born at home, in Florida at the end of February 2014. We had great support during a long labor that included two doulas. Atom was born in the posterior position (the back of his skull rested on my back) with a nuchal hand (his hand was born at the same time as his head.) I remember being very tired the entire time. I even fell asleep in between contractions and during pushing. I didn’t want to move,eat, or drink. At this point in my life, I wasn’t educated on comfort measures and birth physics, and I definitely wasn’t expecting that kind of intensity. After a relatively short pushing phase, he was born and it was the first most beautiful, magical and transforming experience of my life. He had a very short cord, so he rested on my stomach while our minds traveled back to earth. I wasn’t able to see his face, but I knew he was perfect. I delivered him on our bed, and his father’s hands were the first to greet him. Atom’s birth wasn’t only special for us, his parents, it was also special for my Great Granny too. At 83, his was the first birth she ever witnessed, and she still talks about it often.

Kelvin’s birth was very different from Atom’s. I woke up at 7 am having very strong contractions that were 10 minutes apart. I called Erin, my doula Emily, and my birth photographer to let them know labor was starting. Little did I know just how short it would be. It started out with two contractions 10 minutes apart, then I had two contractions 8 minutes apart, and then two contractions 6 minutes apart. I woke up Granny who was staying with us at the time, and was extra quiet, so I didn’t wake up Atom. While I was pregnant, I did a lot of reading on how to get a posterior baby to turn before in labor. I knew if I kept walking through the house everything would be easier than last time, so that’s what I did. Atom eventually woke up and was a little frightened by the noises I was making, so I started smiling to let him know I was ok. I was standing up in our hallway when Kelvin was born, smiling and roaring my birthsong into my doula’s ear. Granny was holding Atom while my husband caught our second baby boy.

Tell us about your birth related work and training so far.

My first introduction to birth work was a 6 week doula training course that taught me how to give give educational, emotional and physical support to women during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. This was a fantastic experience that really focused on the spirituality of birth. I learned so much from that class, and I am so happy to have taken it. However, I knew going into doula work that I eventually wanted to become a midwife. After I completed my doula training, I decided to become a certified placenta specialist. From the time I found out what a placenta was, I have found them very beautiful and fascinating. I enjoy being able to offer placenta encapsulation and other placenta services to the families I work with. In addition to my doula and placenta specialist training, I took a really fun neonatal resuscitation class taught by Karen Strange in 2015.

What are your favorite resources for birthing families?

I think Ina May’s Guide To Childbirth, or any other book by Ina May Gaskin is a great place to start. She also has a website with great articles her favorite resources: http://inamay.com/ Another great website is http://sarahbuckley.com/category/blog. Sarah Buckley is a family physician who studied obstetrics and family planning. Her blog consists of evidence based posts about these topics often. Penny Simkin’s video Comfort Measures During Labor is a nice, slow paced video for couples to watch together. She is a physical therapist that has been specializing in childbirth education and supporting women in labor since the 1960s. In this video, she reviews many comfort measures that are known to be helpful in labor. The video Birth As We Know It is another resource I find myself recommending often. You can find this on the internet or on the bookshelf at Geneabirth.

What is your philosophy of birth?

“Birth is designed to work in case no one but the mother is there.” I remember Karen Strange saying this several times throughout her class last year. My philosophy of birth is that the mother should be able to labor with as little medical intervention as possible. I believe that every family and labor will be different and should not be treated the same. I believe through education, understanding and support mothers will be able to, without shame, use their primal instincts to birth their babies. I believe that families are capable of making decisions for themselves and their babies, and families should be encouraged to be active participants during and after birth.

What parenting issues are you most passionate about?

Evidenced based education. I think it is so important to be educated and prepared. It is so easy to forget that things can be done differently than the way we’ve been taught. Breastfeeding, nutrition, routine infant circumcision, home birth, vaccines, doulas, cry it out, car seat safety, epidurals, surgical birth, placenta encapsulation, ultrasounds, rice cereal, belly binding, hormonal birth control, chiropractic care…I think it is important to educate parents on these topics and when they are educated, they will make the decisions that are right for their families.

If you could give a little bit of advice to all women before giving birth what would it be?

Oh man, the first bit of advice I would give is to take more time for yourself. The moment your baby arrives, your entire life will change. Finish your sewing project now, watch the new Star Wars, take a weekend getaway. It is very easy to forget about making time for yourself when you are so wrapped up caring for the most perfect baby in the world. The next bit of advice is spend more time researching about real, raw birth. The media has done a great job making birth out to be a horrible, painful, traumatizing event. Take the time to detox yourself and your partner from these beliefs. Ina May Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth is a collection of real birth stories. It is a fun, short read that will boost your confidence and educate you at the same time. Finally, labor will progress faster if you stand up or walk around (yay gravity!), and smile.

Hayley offers placenta encapsulation services. This is a great resource for our families. She is available to answer your questions about placenta encapsulation, different methods, benefits, placenta tinctures or smoothies. If you are looking to hire a placenta specialist to encapsulate or prepare your placenta, consider Hayley.

26Jan2016

Little One’s Valentine’s Party/Mother’s Tea

Posted in local events, What's New? by epiorier

It’s been a busy fall and winter for geneabirth. If you follow us on our facebook you may have seen all the babies that were born in the last few months! Plus the holidays…all you mom’s out there understand.

Anyway, we miss our community. We miss seeing you and your lovely little ones. And now that things have quieted down a bit we are planning a little get together.

Thursday, Feburary 11th 2016

9:30 am-Noon

851 Dayton Avenue, Saint Paul 55104

Upper Level

We will have a special toddler/preschool friendly Valentine’s Day craft and goodies.

We have tea and coffee, comfy places to sit, lots of and toys for the little ones. We’ll have some yummy snacks to share. Potluck snacks are encouraged, but don’t worry if you are not able to bring a snack, just bring yourself and your kids). If you baby is too small for crafts and party activities, join us anyway for a cup of tea and some conversation

This event is open to the whole community. You do not need to be a geneabirth client to come.

We hope to see you there!

18Oct2015

Special Event: Flower Essences and Healing During Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum and Beyond

Posted in local events, What's New? by epiorier

You’ve probably heard of Rescue Remedy for use during times of high stress, anxiety or panic, but do you know that Rescue Remedy is a formula comprised of flower essences? Flower essences are safe, gentle natural remedies, that are related to homeopathic remedies and are used to focus on healing for the mind, spirit and psyche. Becoming pregnant, carrying a baby, birthing and becoming a mother for the first time or adding a new baby to a family are profoundly transformative times. Flower essences can be a wonderful tool for working with the many feelings and issues that come up during this special time.

Come learn all about flower essences – a profound yet underutilized natural healing modality – with Jaime Fleres-Mizejewski, founder of Santosha Birth and Wellness, a Saint Paul based wellness resource. Learn about the healing energy of flowers, why they make such an amazing source of support for the childbearing season (and beyond), and how to add them to your home health care toolkit. During our gathering, we will talk about and sample a handful of flower essences that particularly shine in their support of women through pregnancy, birth, and motherhood, as well as babies. Jaime will leave time to answer your questions and make custom remedies upon request (for an additional fee). Learn more about Santosha at SantoshaMama.com.

When: Thursday, November 12th from 10am-11:30 With tea, coffee, yummy baked goods and chatting from 11:30-12:30.

Where: geneabirth, 851 Dayton Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104 (upper level) Parking is on-street, south side of the street only.

Who can come: Any and all women! You do not need to be a geneabirth client to attend.

What about the kids? Bring them if you like! We have a large, open space and plenty of toys. In our experience, babies, children, mamas and learning have come together nicely at these events. Erin and Sarah will be on hand to be baby-holders and toddler-wranglers.

How to register: This workshop is free to geneabirth clients who are currently pregnant or still recieving postpartum care from Sarah and Erin. Just send an RSVP to Erin at herbalisterin@outlook.com

For former clients and other community members the fee is $12. Please register via paypal using the button below. Questions? Contact Erin at 612-508-0584 or leave a question in the comments sections or email me at herblisterin@outlook.com

Custom blended remedies will be available upon request from Jamie for an additional fee.

12Oct2015

Children’s Halloween Party/Mother’s Tea at Geneabirth

Posted in local events, What's New? by epiorier

Join us for some Halloween fun at Geneabirth!

Thursday, October 22nd

9:30 am-Noon

851 Dayton Avenue, Saint Paul 55104

Upper Level

We will have a special toddler/preschool friendly Halloween or harvest-themed craft and goodies. Costumes are, of course, welcome but not necessary.

We have tea and coffee, comfy places to sit, lots of and toys for the little ones. We’ll have some yummy snacks to share. Potluck snacks are encouraged, but don’t worry if you are not able to bring a snack, just bring yourself and your little ones). If you baby is too small for crafts and party activities, join us anyway for a cup of tea and some conversation

This event is open to the whole community. You do not need to be a geneabirth client to come.

We hope to see you there!

7Oct2015

What to do if Baby Arrives Before the Midwives: Childbirth 101

Posted in Information for families by epiorier

We spend a lot of time during the last weeks of pregnancy talking about how to recognize the signs of labor and when to call the midwives. Our goal is to make it to your birth in plenty of time. We want to set up the equipment and supplies, listen to your baby, check in our your well-being and offer support to you and your family. Most often labor begins gently, with noticeable early signs. However, sometimes labor begins with a roar and unfolds remarkably quickly. Some women birth very quickly with a labor that last just 3 hours from first signs to birth. Sometimes a first birth was difficult and long and a second time mom may experience early and active labor as not very uncomfortable, she thinks she has a long time to go and doesn’t want to bother us and then we get an urgent call from a woman’s partner that the baby is coming quickly! We are speeding towards the family and we will almost certainly get there in time. It’s good for partners and other family members to have a little education about what to do if your baby is coming quickly and your midwives are on the way. Sarah has written some tips and important points to remember because what will happen at each birth cannot be predicted and it helps to be prepared for all possibilities.

Put your midwife on speaker phone so you can talk to each other.

Don’t panic! Everything is going smoothly and that’s why baby is on the way.

Grab the towels from your birth supplies and a package of the blue chux pads. If the birthing woman is out of the tub, place some blue pads under her to protect your floor if you have time.

When the baby is emerging, don’t pull on the baby’s head. JUST RECEIVE.

The baby can be brought right to mama’s chest, skin too skin to help the baby stay warm.There are two important things to keep in mind with a newly born baby: BREATH AND WARMTH

Sometimes a baby born quickly is stunned. Rub your baby, flick the soles of the feet, press firmly on the back, rubbing up and down while talking to your baby.

Dry baby off while on mama’s chest. Then replace the wet towel with a dry towel.

You do not need to cut the cord, tie the cord or deliver the placenta.

Keep the baby warm and close to mom.

The midwives are on the way!

If at any point during the labor, birth or immediate postpartum you can call 911 for extra assistance if you are concerned about mom and baby’s well-being.

28Aug2015

Babywearing 101: September 17th at Geneabirth

Posted in local events, What's New? by epiorier

There are so many benefits to babywearing for both moms and babies.

Join us on Thursday, September 17th for Babywearing 101.

Coffee, tea and yummy baked goods will be served. Bring your baby, of course, but toddlers and older children are welcome too. There’s plenty of room and lots of toys.

This is event is open to the community. Anyone can come; you do not need to be a geneabirth client to attend.

Free!

10:00-12:00 (presentation and coffee hour/tea time to follow)

Thursday, September 17th

Geneabirth: 851 Dayton Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104

Send me a message or comment below if you have any questions.

3Jun2015

More about Core and Pelvic Floor!

Posted in local events, What's New? by epiorier

Back by popular demand, Sally Rye, will join us at Geneabirth on Thursday, June 25th at 10 am for a movement based workshop. We learned so much from Sally last month about what’s going on with our seperated ab muscles and “weak” pelvic floors. We’ve asked Sally to come back and lead a group in learning and performing exercise that will help you on your journey of understanding and healing your body after birth and having a healthy body throughout your entire lifecycle.

Move It 101: find your core & more

In this movement-based class, learn techniques & exercises to re-connect with your core & pelvic floor. Find your TVA muscle and your glutes, and perform a magic trick called “co-contraction.” We will learn how to sit, squat & how to walk! Wear your yoga pants & bring 2 towels.

About Sally: Sally Rye developed her expertise about abs, pelvic floors, diastasis recti, and umbilical hernias over the past decade, inspired by her own body’s experience in these areas. Sally loves to share her knowledge and finds entertaining ways to inform about this taboo topic, empowering women to pursue effective remedies. She recently closed her decade-old diastasis and lives in Minneapolis with her husband, three children, and nine backyard chickens.

When: Thursday, June 25th, 10 am-11:30. With tea, coffee and chatting from 11:30-12:30.

Where: geneabirth, 851 Dayton Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104 (upper level)

Who can come: Any and all women. You do not need to be a geneabirth client to attend.

What about the kids? That’s up to you. You may get the most out of this presentation if you don’t have to chase after your toddler. However, babies and kids are certainly welcome. Erin and Sarah will be on hand to be baby-holders and toddler-wranglers.

For former clients and other community members the fee is $10. Please register via paypal using the button below.

Questions? Contact Erin at 612-508-0584 or leave a question in the comments sections or email me at herblisterin@outlook.com