Correlation Vs. Causation: The Safety of Placenta Encapsulation

You may have seen the case report from the CDC making the rounds on social media lately claiming that a baby developed a dangerous Group B Strep (GBS) infection because the mother was ingesting placenta capsules. While this study seems to call into question the safety of placenta encapsulation, there are a few points to note: 

1.  This was a single case.
   
   While it is terrible that a baby did become ill, there has only been one case of illness reported that may have been linked to placenta capsules. This is not a growing trend. 
    

2.  Correlation does not automatically mean causation. 
   
   While the CDC has documented the illness is thought to be caused by the mother ingesting the placenta capsules, that has not been proven. The CDC themselves state that other family members could also be the carriers responsible, and the mother could have become infected after her initial negative test. 
   
   The mother's breastmilk tested negative for GBS. If the infection did not stem from the birth, it is unclear how the mother was then passing along GBS bacteria for baby to become infected. 

3.  Placenta Encapsulation is an unregulated industry; it appears that the encapsulator from this study may not have followed proper safety procedures. 
   
   The CDC report states that the placenta in question was dehydrated at temperatures between 115-160 degrees Fahrenheit. If this is correct, then this placenta was not prepared in a safe fashion capable of killing off harmful bacteria. Temperatures must be held high enough and long enough to properly destroy any grown bacteria.
   
   If there were any signs of active infection at the time of birth or soon after (and generally at least mother or baby are presenting with fever or other signs of infection), then the placenta should never have been processed. It is never safe to consume placenta products with an active infection present. 

At Little Orchids, safety is our first priority. We adhere to strict training and certification standards to ensure a safe product.

So what do we do differently?

Strong Disinfectants- All of our non-disposable equipment pieces are cleaned and sanitized both before and after each use. They are washed, rinsed, soaked in a 1:10 bleach solution, allowed to air dry in a closed area, then wiped down with a hospital-grade disinfectant and allowed to completely air dry.  The hospital grade disinfectant that we use is a virucide, bactericide, tuberculocide, and fungicide.  It kills HIV, Hep- B, Hep-C, TB, MRSA and Norovirus and meets or exceeds blood-borne pathogen standards.

Disposable Protective Equipment - We use disposable equipment as much as possible to reduce the risk of cross contamination between clients. Disposable equipment that we use for each client includes gloves, plastic food aprons, hair nets, booties, safety glasses, cutting boards, and face masks.

Safety Screening- If there are signs of infection in mother or baby, then we do not perform an encapsulation. It's just not worth the risk. 

Scheduling Checks - We never have more than one placenta in our possession at any given time. We are very careful to not overbook so that there is no possible chance of accidental mix-ups. The placenta products you receive are 100% definitely made from your placenta. 

At Little Orchids, we want you to be completely confident in your decision to encapsulate with us. We welcome any and all questions you may have! You've grown your placenta for the last 9+ months, and it is something you plan to ingest; it is important to feel safe with who will be processing the placenta. 

Our encapsulator is a Certified Postpartum Placenta Encapsulation Specialist and is also a certified ServSafe Foodhandler and certified in Blood-bourne Pathogens training. We adhere to these stringent training protocols for a reason: it allows us to deliver a safe, quality product each and every time. 

If you have any questions about out placenta encapsulation services or our training standards, please contact us today! 

FREE Printable Hospital Packing List

Deciding what to pack in your hospital bag can be a daunting thought for many parents. Here is our list to get you started! Check here for the printable file. 

For Mom

• Insurance and ID card

• Birth plan, if you have one

• Cell phone and charger

• A couple pairs of comfy socks (the hospital also has non-slip socks)

• 2-3 bras (Nursing bras without underwire are great!)

• If planning to breastfeed:

  • Nursing pads

  • Lanolin cream

  • Nursing cover (if desired for visitors)

• Chapstick or lip balm (labor tends to cause dry lips)

• Toiletries

  • Toothbrush, tooth paste, deodorant, hair brush

• Contact lenses, case, and cleaning solution or glasses if needed

• Elastic pony tail holder and/or headband

• Mints, gum, or hard candy to keep mouth moist

• Snacks or Change for vending machine

• Camera, memory card, extra battery or charger cable

• Pillow and comfy blanket, if you want specific ones from home

• Comfy pajamas

• Change of clothes and toiletries for partner or other family member

• Music and a way to play the music (plus batteries or charger)

• Slippers and/or flip flops

• Any medications you need daily

• Book or Magazines if you want to read

• Pen and notebook

For Baby

• Car seat, already installed in the car

• 2-3 onesies (helpful to bring newborn and 0-3 size)

• Soft blanket for the ride home

• Weather appropriate gear (socks, snowsuit, hat, mittens, etc.)

For After the Delivery

• Change of clothes to go home in

  • NOT pre-pregnancy clothes! You will probably still need maternity clothes for now

• Extra large, loose underwear

• Maxi Pads (the hospital has these as well)

Extras, If Desired

• Hair dryer

• Makeup

• At least one pack of Depends Underwear (they may be more comfy for postpartum bleeding than hospital undies)

• Robe or nightgown if you do not want the hospital gown

• Massage tools, oil, or tennis balls

• Dermoplast spray or witch hazel pads (for comfort postpartum)

• Flushable wipes (may be more comfortable than regular TP)

• Baby book (some nurses will do footprints directly in the book!)

• Extra snacks for the nurses is always a pleasant surprise

Fear and Birth

There are many fears associated with pregnancy and birth. One of the most common fears is the fear of pain. Will birth hurt? What happens if I can’t deal with the contractions? For some people this fear impacts their decision of where to give birth.

     To some, home birth sounds like a nice, peaceful plan. But there is no medical pain management available at home. Another common fear is the fear of messing up. There is a lot of responsibility needed to bring a new life into this world and raise him to adulthood. This can be a scary realization, and many parents initially feel self-doubt that they are worthy of this responsibility. It can take time for the parents to finally understand that they are exactly the parents this baby needs. The fear of changing plans is also a common fear. Mothers and partners can do everything in their power to plan and prepare for their birth. They can find the best provider, the best support, the most informative childbirth classes, and the safest car seat. They can have a birth plan describing in detail how exactly they expect labor to proceed. What happens when the baby becomes distressed and a Cesarean birth is necessary? What happens when the mother fatigues and is unable to continue with her plan? Sometimes plans need to change, and this can introduce some fear. Hopefully having the understanding that births cannot be completely planned out in advance can help ease some fear.

       Fear can have detrimental effects in labor. In some ways, labor requires the mother to let go, both mentally and physically. The mother must allow the body to take over and do what is needed to dilate and help get the baby out. Fear can block this necessary and instinctual action. Fear can cause the mother to experience “psychological dystocia” which is a term used when labor slows or is inhibited by a non-physical issue. Fear can cause the mother to clench and fight contractions, which can affect the speed and ease of dilation. Many mothers have reported that contractions are more painful if the mother tries to clench or fight them. Thankfully, women have multiple ways to deal with this fear response. Women can try meditation, breathing exercises, or having an Epidural as means to aid in relaxation.

          Fear does not only impact labor psychologically, but it can also affect the hormones of labor. Oxytocin, known as the love hormone, is the hormone that is needed for labor to progress. Oxytocin stimulates the uterus to contract. These contractions cause dilation, and they eventually help push the baby down and out. After the birth, these contractions help clamp the uterus and prevent hemorrhage. Oxytocin also helps initiate a type of natural pain relief as it blocks some of the pain signals during labor. Another hormone, Adrenaline, has more negative effects. Adrenaline is the stress hormone involved with the fight-or-flight response. Fear can trigger Adrenaline to be released during labor. Adrenaline does not help labor; Adrenaline inhibits the release of Oxytocin. This effect can slow or completely stop labor, which can necessitate the use of augmentation measures. This can also lead to longer labor.

         To some people, fear is a motivator to get an unpleasant task over with. But fear can impede and negatively impact labor. Babies are born every day, so try to push the nagging fears away!

Postpartum Realities

Experiences and expectations of the postpartum period can be completely different from one person to another. Because of this, new mothers can become confused when their experiences do not align with what their friends or family members described. The postpartum period vary greatly from the beginning, especially depending on the type of birth there was.     

The physical recovery needed can be a shock if you does not know what to expect. There are so many false ideas portrayed in movies, television shows, and social media today! Most of what is portrayed makes everything look easy. The new mother on Facebook looks gorgeous with her flawless hair and makeup, smiling with her new tiny babe. Or in a movie a woman walks proudly out of the hospital the next day, walking easily and with no sign of a residual baby bump. In reality, most mothers are exhausted after delivery. Just think, either they have just spent hours laboring and pushing out a small human, or they have just gone through major abdominal surgery. In either case, the body needs rest! Most new mothers probably won’t feel like sitting through a photo op right after the birth. So how do women feel when they wake up still looking six months pregnant the day after birth? For many women, the physical recovery is not all unicorns and flowers. What then should a new mother expect postpartum?

The body goes through many changes as it adapts to no longer being pregnant. One of the most obvious changes is in the new mother’s stomach. The uterus does not just disappear immediately after delivery; it took nine months to grow to the current size, and it takes more than a few hours to shrink back! The shrinking does proceed much more quickly than the growing, though, and it is often shrunk back down by six weeks after the birth. The stomach can feel loose or jello-y after delivery since the water and baby are no longer keeping the uterus inflated. It can be a good idea to wear some sort of support after the birth, such as a girdle or even trying Bengkung belly binding. If there was a Cesarean delivery, it is recommended to not use these supports as they can harm or cause infection in the healing incision. Another major change the body goes through after birth is weight change. Many women can lose around ten pounds immediately after birth. This is due to the loss of fluid and the baby born. For many women, they continue to lose some weight in the days and weeks after birth as they lose fluid they have been retaining.

The postpartum period is also full of emotional changes. Your body has been producing and circulating numerous hormones over the past several months in order to grow and support the pregnancy, then deliver the baby. Once the baby is born, the hormone levels suddenly drop as the hormones are no longer needed. Women can respond differently to this sudden drop. Some women notice little or no change. The majority of women may develop some level of the “baby blues.” This is a feeling of sadness or moodiness often seen in new mothers, and it is not as severe as true depression. Mood swings are common. Many women may find themselves feeling overwhelmed or hopeless after the birth of a baby. They may experience a loss of appetite, and they might get to the point where they just feel nothing. These are signs that the mother may be experiencing Postpartum Depression, or PPD. PPD is actually very common, and it is nothing to be ashamed of! This is completely treatable, and it is not at all a sign that the woman will have lasting Depression later. Hormones can have strange or bizarre impacts in the postpartum period. If you do not feel like yourself after birth and are unexplainably sad or have these strong feelings, please do not be afraid to discuss them with your doctor.

Bonding with the new baby after birth can come easy, or it may take some time. If you do not feel an instant connection with the baby, know that that is not uncommon. Different aspects and experiences during the labor and delivery can lead to a disconnected feeling in some cases. This disconnect is not permanent, and there are ways to support bonding with the baby. Birth partners may take longer to develop a bond with the new baby as they did not physically birth the child, but these bonds can and do form.

Skin to skin is a great way to encourage bonding with the baby. This method is also very easy to accomplish; it just means lying topless or mostly topless with the naked (but generally diapered) baby on your chest. Many hospitals now practice skin to skin regularly, and hospital staff are able to check the baby’s vital signs and gather APGAR scores while the baby remains on the mother’s chest. Research supports giving new families at least an hour of uninterrupted skin to skin bonding time. Spending time skin to skin is not only good to promote bonding, but it also helps establish breastfeeding and stabilize the newborn physically. Skin to skin has been shown to help regulate the baby’s temperature, heart rate, respirations, and even blood sugar. It also can comfort the baby as the position puts the baby close enough to hear the mother’s heart beat that he has become so accustomed to hearing. It allows the baby to smell the mother’s milk, and it is amazing to see a newborn scoot himself towards a breast and begin feeding all on his own. The birth partner can do skin to skin as well! Skin to skin has no detrimental effects, only benefits, and it is a great way to begin bonding with a new baby.

Feeding a newborn is another aspect that new parents must adapt for in the postpartum. Even if you’ve heard things like “feed the baby every two hours,” it is a completely different experience to realize just how frequently that is. Some mothers have decided in advance how they want to feed their child, and some decide to figure out what works after birth. The two general food sources for a newborn are breast milk and formula. Breast milk is full of antibodies and nutrients from the mom, and Colostrum (the first milk) is often considered the baby’s first “vaccine.” However, breastfeeding is not desired or possible for some families. Formula is formulated to provide the nutrients and calories that a baby needs as well. There are also specialty formulas that are great for babies with allergies or other specific feeding difficulties. No matter which option you choose, for the majority of women breast milk fully comes in by around three days postpartum. The first day that the milk comes in can be an experience. You may wake up and not recognize your own breasts! The breasts may feel huge, round, and hard. This sensation is partially because the breast tissue becomes inflamed; they are not just full of milk. Thankfully, this inflammation does not last forever, and for many women it is gone or at least greatly lessened by the next day. Feeding a baby can be a stressful experience for new parents. Is the baby gaining enough weight? Is he getting too chunky? Weight gain is stressed by many pediatricians as blood sugars may drop if the baby is not eating enough. First, take a breath; it is okay! Every family adopts their own feeding schedule and practices, and not every suggestion works for every baby and family. If there are specific concerns, your pediatrician can provide advice and recommendations.

For those who choose not to or are not able to breastfeed, breast milk still does come in. There are ways to stop the milk flow, but these take time. Options to help stop milk from continuing include binding the breasts and herbal teas or supplements. Binding and compressing the breasts can help stop triggering the breasts from making more milk, but this can take a few days or weeks. There are herbal teas, but like any other type of supplement, it can be best to consult your doctor before trying them.

The postpartum period and adjusting to life with a new baby can be hard. This adjustment can be made easier by having a good support system in place. This system can take many forms, from having family stay over, to having a friend stop by, to asking your church for help, or hiring professional support. For many mothers, the easiest option might be having their own mother or mother in law stay over and help. This gives the grandmother an often desired chance to bond with the baby, and she can help around the house. There is also the option to hire a Postpartum Doula. A Postpartum Doula is a non-medical support person specifically trained to support families in the postpartum period. They can teach basic infant care, help with infant care, help give the new mother a chance to rest and heal, and many do basic meal preparation and house work. A Postpartum Doula is a great option to have for postpartum support as they are trained in up-to-date practices and care.

Overall, the postpartum period is full of adjustments and changes. It can be difficult, but by preparing and knowing in advance what can be expected, it can be a rewarding time.

5 Birth Myths You Should Know About

Birth can be an amazing, yet intimidating process for many people. Everyone has different views on birth, and everyone who's had a child has different thought and memories about their experiences. With so many different views and with policies and protocols changing through the years, it is not a surprise that sometimes popular information is actually myth. Don't believe me?

Here are 5 birth myths that you should know about!

1.  Your water will break in a huge gush before you know you're in labor.

      This may happen, but not nearly as often as television would have us think. Water breaking is the first sign of labor for only about 1 out of every 10 births. Plus, there may not be a humungous gush even if your water has broken; sometimes there might just be a small, slow trickle. Fear that your water may suddenly break should not cause you to fear going out in public! Get out and embrace the time you have before the new baby comes. 

2. You NEED the Epidural ASAP. 

      It is a common myth that you will be absolutely miserable unless you get an Epidural as soon as one is available. And it's true that for some people, labor truly is that uncomfortable even in early labor. But for many people, labor does not start out so terribly. A lot of people don't even realize they're in labor for the first few hours since contractions may be so sporadic and light. Epidurals can especially benefit laboring women who are exhausted or who are in great pain; but there are many women who find the discomfort tolerable throughout labor. 

3. Your "downstairs" will be completely ruined by birth.

       It is true that everything gets stretched during a vaginal delivery. But that does not mean that things do not return to place for the most part. The vagina is made to stretch, and it is made up of tissue that can expand and still scrunch back down in the days and weeks following delivery. Yes, things will be swollen and irritated immediately after birth, but it does not stay that way forever. 

4. Your partner will faint.

     Well, this may be a possibility, but it is not a given. Birth is an amazingly powerful process, and it is one that your partner most likely will want to stay completely awake for. If he does faint, nursing staff is right on hand to help him wake back up. 

5. Your partner (or your mother, sister, cousin, etc.) can be your doula.

     It is true that a friend or family member can support you, but that does not mean that they are exactly the same as a doula. They may still give you awesome support, but there is still a difference. A doula has been specifically trained in various methods to support a laboring family physically, emotionally, and with educational resources. A doula is a trained professional. In the same way that simply knowing how to change a tire does not make you a mechanic, knowing how to support someone does not make you a doula. 

A Beginner's Guide to Labor

Labor

One word can stir up so many emotions. Excitement. Fear. Dread. Joy. Maybe even a combination of all of the above. 

The start of labor can be a scary prospect for a new family. How will you know for sure when it's really time? Will it hurt? How long will it take? 

Even if you've had a baby before, each labor is different. 

So how can you quell some of the fear?

Know what to look for.

There are many ways labor can start, so it can help to know what to look for. 

1. Water breaking

Your water can break. This happens when the amniotic sac bursts. Unlike the movies where it seems EVERYONE's water breaks as the first sign, only around 1 out of 10 births starts with this as the first sign. Also not like the movies, there may not be a huge gush. For a lot of people, there is just a slow trickle of fluid. 

2. Contractions

Having contractions is a common way for labor to start. For some people, it can be difficult to determine initially if contractions are just more Braxton Hicks or if it is true labor. Real labor contractions generally get longer, stronger, and closer together; Braxton Hicks contractions do not follow a pattern. 

3. Loss of the Mucous Plug

The mucous plug is a globby collection of mucous that seals the cervix closed during pregnancy. Once dilation begins, this plug is loosened and may fall out. It is important to know that not everyone sees this sign, and some people begin to lose bits of the plug days or even weeks before the birth. The mucous plug can look like a white, clear, or blood-tinged string or glob of mucous. 

4. Bloody Show

This sign can go hand in hand with loss of the mucous plug. As the cervix dilates and pulls away from the plug, there can be a little bleeding. This can appear as spotting and should not be heavy or active bleeding. Again, this is a sign some people do not see until they are far into labor or near delivery. 

Once you know you are in labor, you can progress in many ways.

No labor is the same; your labor can be hours or even days long. Everyone is different. What can help is to have a trained labor companion with you. A doula is trained for all different types of birth and can help you stay as comfortable as possible. You deserve your best birth; let us know how we can best support you! 

Recognizing Postpartum Depression

The days, weeks, and months after having a baby can be stressful. Is baby eating enough? Is she sleeping enough? WHY WON'T HE SLEEP?? Many new mothers have another fear: what happens if she develops postpartum depression?

Perceived mental illness of any kind has been a stigma in our society. But why? up to 85% of women have some form of postpartum mood disorder in the year after having a baby. In addition to this, around 400,000 babies are born each year to mothers already diagnosed with depression. So really, why is postpartum mood health still viewed often as a taboo topic? Why don't we talk about how common it is to go through these mood changes after having a baby? Women need to understand that mood disorders are not a sign of weakness. They are not defects. They are common and completely treatable. But in order to be treated, they have to be recognized. 

If someone mentions a mood issue after having a baby, many people automatically think of Postpartum Depression. In reality, perinatal mood disorders encompass a much wider variety of symptoms than only depression. Perinatal and postpartum mood disorders include baby blues, postpartum depression,  postpartum anxiety, postpartum psychosis, and postpartum OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). The two most common forms of postpartum mood issues are the Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression. 

Baby Blues

Postpartum blues, commonly known as the "baby Blues" is the most common form of postpartum mood disorder. This is a mood of feeling sad or down which can be caused by the postpartum hormone fluctuations, and it can affect as many as 80% of new mothers. Symptoms of the baby blues often begin soon after the birth and resolve within the first two weeks. Baby blues are temporary and do not interfere with your ability to function during daily life.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Randomly crying for seemingly no reason

• Mood swings 

• Feeling irritable and/or anxious

• Feeling overwhelmed

• Decreased appetite

• Difficulty sleeping

• Difficulty concentrating

Risk factors include:

• Personal or family history of depression

• Feeling stressed out about caring for a baby

• History of PMS

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression affects somewhere between 1 out of every 7 or 1 out of every 10 new mothers, depending on which study you are referencing. This mood issue often starts within the first four months after delivery, although symptoms can first appear up to a year after the birth. Affecting about 10-15% of new mothers, postpartum depression usually develops within the first 4 months after delivery but can occur up to a year later. Unlike baby blues, postpartum depression can interfere with the mother's daily life and her ability to care for the baby. Professional support and treatment is very important as postpartum depression may not go away on its own, and symptoms can increase in severity.  

Signs and symptoms include:

• Fatigue

• Feelings sad, guilty, anxious, overwhelmed, hopeless

• Difficulty sleeping

• Loss of appetite 

• Loss of interest in what had been your favorite activities

• Withdrawing from family and friends; feeling alone

• Lack of interest in baby

• Thoughts of hurting yourself or the baby

• Severe mood swings

• Feeling not like yourself

• Unusual or bizarre behavior

Risk factors include:

• Personal or family history of depression

• History of abuse

• Recent stress

• Complications or trauma during pregnancy and/or birth

• Lack of support

• Stress due to returning to work quickly

What are some things you can do?

So far, nothing has shown to be completely effective in preventing postpartum mood disorders. Some research and anecdotal evidence has shown that ingesting your placenta postpartum by placenta encapsulation may help some people, but again the actual research evidence is very limited or almost nonexistent. It should also be noted that placenta encapsulation is not meant to prevent or treat any medical issue, and medical treatment can be needed for mood disorders. 

If your family has hired a postpartum doula, your doula is trained to help look for potential signs and to encourage you to speak to your medical provider. Doulas are not medical professionals, but they do know what to look for and can start that conversation.

Family and friends can be very important during this time. Your partner or friends may notice behavior changes that you may have not even realized were happening. If they point out changes, please take them seriously.

The Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale is a self-assessment tool that you can use. It asks different questions about the ways you have felt in the last week. It has a score list that helps explain your risk of developing postpartum depression, and your care provider can help you understand your results. If you wish to use this tool, print it here or use this online version. 

Overall, please understand that there is no shame in seeking help. Mood problems should not be stigmatized the way they have been, and treatment is readily available if sought. If you need local resources, please contact us so that we can send our resource list

ACOG Recommends to Limit Intervention

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently updated their recommendations about monitoring and care for women in labor. With the new recommendations, the common picture of a laboring mother stuck on her back with continuous monitors will hopefully change. 

So what are the new recommendations?

 - The management of labor can be individualized for low-risk women who naturally began labor with a baby who is head down. This can include offering intermittent monitoring and offering forms of non-medical pain relief. 

- A woman in the latent (early) phase of labor does not have to be admitted right away if the baby is doing ok. The care provider can offer frequent check-ins instead, which can keep the mother more independent and comfortable. The care provider can also suggest methods of non-medical pain relief. 

- If a woman is admitted in early labor due to fatigue or pain, she should be offered education, non-medical pain relief methods, changing positions for comfort, and further support. Specifically, this includes allowing the woman to drink liquids during labor and utilizing non-medical pain relief methods such as massage and allowing the mother to relax in a tub or birth pool. 

- If a woman's water breaks, but labor does not start in the next hour, then the mother may choose to wait and see what happens instead of needing to be quickly induced. In order for the woman to make this choice, she should understand that there is limited data to show how safe this expectant management is, and she should understand any associated risks. If the woman does understand and still makes this choice, then her decision should be supported. 

- Evidence has shown that one-on-one continuous support (not including nursing support) improves labor outcomes. Sound familiar? This is exactly what a doula provides- continuous support!

- As long as labor is progressing normally and the baby is tolerating labor well, then there is no reason to artificially break the amniotic sac (in other words, don't make the water break)

- In order to help facilitate offering an intermittent monitoring option, staff should be trained in how to use a hand-held Doppler device.

- Pain relief can be tailored to the individual woman by using both non-medical and medical methods of pain relief. 

- Women should be permitted to move around during labor since frequent position changes can help the mother's comfort while allowing baby to find the best position. However, movements may be limited if treatments or further monitoring is necessary. 

- Coached pushing should not be expected of every woman. It is now recognized that many women push better by following instincts than they do by following coaching orders. The pushing technique used should be whichever works more effectively for the woman. 

- Unless the baby needs to be born quickly, the mother should be offered a chance to rest if she wishes before she begins the pushing stage. Women who do not have an urge to push and women who have an Epidural can greatly benefit by resting. If a woman has the urge to push, then she may go ahead and do so. 

The new recommendations may seem a bit overwhelming, but they are a great step towards offering women evidence-based individualized care. Although there will always be room for improvement, and new research will always bring some changes, these new recommendations should go a long way towards improving care for laboring women. 

Placenta Encapsulation: What Makes Us Different

Little Orchids Childbirth Services, LLC is proud to offer placenta encapsulation to our wonderful clients. Consuming one's placenta is becoming a popular choice in this area, and there are numerous reported benefits. Choosing a qualified person to prepare your placenta for you to ingest is an important decision. It is important for the person you choose to follow proper safety protocols that keep the placenta safe to consume.

The fact is that placenta encapsulation is a completely unregulated industry. Anyone can decide to offer placenta encapsulation; there are no legal requirements to certify or even have any training to handle and process placentas. 

So what makes us different? 

We offer to process placentas in our clients' homes. This could allow you to transport your own placenta placenta, so your placenta stays in your control and possession at all times. 

Wait, What?? Yes, we understand that this is completely different than what many other encapsulators do. However, there are a few very important reasons why we do it this way. 

1. Peace of Mind

Again, placenta encapsulation is not regulated. By having your placenta processed in the comfort of your own home, you have complete freedom to oversee how your placenta is being handled. There is no doubt remaining that your placenta is handled properly, safely, and according to strict sanitation procedures. 

We do not transport placentas; the placenta stays in your custody and control at all times. We provide our clients with a safe transport kit so that they can confidently bring their own placenta home. With this policy, our clients know exactly where the placenta has been and how it has been handled. There is no risk or possibility that the placenta was forgotten in someone's purse or left in a hot car while the handler runs to the store for groceries because unfortunately, both of these examples can and have happened.  Plus, if an encapsulator is working on multiple placentas, how can you trust that you received the right placenta pills? You deserve to have peace of mind during your postpartum period. There should not be any room left to question the handling of your placenta or if the presented placenta pills are actually yours. 

2. Safe and Sanitary Processing Procedures 

Processing the placenta in our clients' homes also demonstrates the strict sanitation procedures that we follow. Although legally no training is required, you can trust that by choosing Little Orchids for your encapsulation, you have a competent and trained encapsulator working with your placenta. Little Orchids encapsulators have been trained by IPPA, the International Placenta and Postpartum Association. This training has instilled proper, safe handling and processing methods to ensure that our clients receive the highest level of service. 

In addition to the IPPA training, our encapsulators are certified for both blood-borne pathogens (BBP) and safe-food prep handling guidelines. Our equipment is properly sanitized according to blood-borne pathogen procedures after each and every client. Any items that cannot be properly or completely sanitized are safely disposed of and are not reused. 

Also, processing in your home helps ensure the safety of the finished product. Since your placenta stays in your possession, there is no worry that our dogs or kids are playing with the dehydrator or placenta. That would be gross, and that is not something you need to have to worry about! 

3. In-home Postpartum Support 

Each of our placenta encapsulators are also trained and certified as postpartum doulas. This means that you have a postpartum expert in-home with you while your placenta is being processed. During this time, we are also available to answer questions, help with infant care, or even just keep you company while you relax and recover. 

With all of these benefits, there really are no down sides. Your placenta can be frozen if needed, so we are able to come at your convenience and work with your needs and schedule. We do not leave a mess, and we bring our own supplies and equipment. We want you to have the best postpartum time possible, and this includes providing the safest placenta products. 

Delayed Cord Clamping: The New Recommendations

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently updated their recommendations concerning the timing of clamping and cutting the umbilical cord after birth. While their previous recommendations had included delaying cord clamping for preterm infants, newer research has highlighted the benefits gained by term infants as well. 

ACOG now recommends that cord clamping be delayed for at least 30-60 seconds after the birth in all healthy term and preterm infants. 

 

So what are the benefits? 

- Increased Hemoglobin levels. Hemoglobin is the part of the blood responsible for carrying oxygen.

- Increased Iron levels during the first few months. This is thought to also improve development. 

- Especially in preterm babies, delayed cord clamping has been shown to prevent the need for blood transfusion and lower the risks of hemorrhage. Also in preterm babies, delaying cord clamping can improve circulation and increase the amount of circulating red blood cells. 

 

How does this happen?

- Studies in term infants have shown that approximately 80mL of blood flows from placenta to baby in the first 60 seconds after birth. This increase in blood volume brings Hemoglobin and Iron as well as simply more volume. 80mL may not sound like a whole lot, but consider how small the baby is. Most term infants have a blood volume of under 300mL. That 80mL could represent more than a quarter of that baby's entire circulating volume! 

 

Are there any risks? 

- In a small percentage of babies, there may be a higher incidence of developing Jaundice. Jaundice is a condition that develops when the liver has trouble dealing with high levels of bilirubin accumulating in the body. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment, and symptoms of Jaundice include yellowing of the skin and eyes. Usually, Jaundice can be treated relatively simply by using special lights to help the body flush out the extra bilirubin. 

- Previous theories were concerned that delaying cord clamping may increase the mother's risk of hemorrhaging. New research has confirmed that this is not the case; delaying cord clamping does not increase the risk of the mother developing a hemorrhage. 

There are some cases in which delayed cord clamping may not be possible. If the baby needs to be taken to another area for resuscitation, then there may not be time to allow delayed clamping. In some of these cases, the umbilical cord may be "milked" instead if time allows. Cord milking includes using a hand to push blood through the cord and into the baby. This process only takes 10-15 seconds, so it can be accomplished much more quickly. Not as much research has been done on umbilical cord milking, so the full extent of any risks and benefits is not yet known. 

 

If you are interested in delayed cord clamping, pregnancy is a great time to find more information! Ask your medical provider what his or her normal protocol is in that situation, and you can learn what kinds of situations could lessen the possibility of delaying the cord clamping. By having this discussion before you go into labor, you can form a plan both you and your provider can be aware of and on board with.