A client’s husband, the one and only Joel Stein has written an article in Time Magazine on his experience of me coming over to prepare his wife’s placenta! Please read and prepare to laugh.
Time Magazine July 3, 2009
Placenta produces hormones? June 16, 2009
The placenta is an endocrine organ, meaning it is a hormone producing organ. The placenta begins producing hormones at 6-8 weeks gestation to help sustain pregnancy. These hormonal levels continually increase during pregnancy, and by the third trimester there are 3 times the normal level of hormones in an expectant mother’s system. By 4-5 days postpartum, these hormone levels will drop to below normal. This is a huge fluctuation going from 3 times the normal level to below normal hormonal level, and this is where the healing properties of the placenta come into play.
Here are just a few of the scientifically known hormones and their functions that are produced by that placenta and are still viable and intact after delivery.
- Prolactin: promotes lactation
- Oxytocin: for pain and bonding; also known as the “love” hormone.
- Interferon: stimulates the immune system to protect against infection
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone: boosts energy and helps recover from stressful events
- Cortisone: combats stress and unlocks stores of energy
- Hemoglobin: replenishes iron deficiency and anemia
- Gammaglobulin: immune booster that helps protect against postpartum infections
- Urokinase Inhibiting Factor & Factor XIII: stops bleeding and enhances wound healing
These are just a few of the powerful healing hormones that the placenta produces, so doesn’t it make sense to safely welcome these hormones back into your system as well as your baby’s through your breast milk?
Read more about Placenta Encapsulation.
