​Inspired by some feedback from a recent client, I wanted to write up my thoughts on placenta capsules as "magic" or as something that will always prevent postpartum depression and anxiety.

This client asked us to fill her capsules only half full because she is sensitive to medications, herbs, etc. Here is what she had to say a couple months after her baby was born:

"As a follow-up, if you remember you filled my capsules 1/2 way and I wanted to fill you in on my experience. I took one capsule a day post birth for about 3 or so weeks and we (hubby and I) could certainly tell the days when I took them vs the days when I forgot to take them. I am no longer taking them now, however I can tell you HUGE improvement with PP vs my first time around with first child. It was pure hell with PP. This time, hands down, way better. I still have PP and PP anxiety, however NOTHING compared to my previous experience. That said, THANK YOU, this changed my entire experience of being a mom and being able to remember what actually happened vs it being a blur and sadness."

Anne Ferguson sat down with Elise Maxwell, founder of Ova Woman this week to talk all about placenta encapsulation.

Watch that interview here.

by Anne Ferguson

Placenta Encapsulation has grown a lot in popularity in the last few years. Six years ago when I gave birth to my second son it was an idea I heard about from my home birth midwives, but it wasn't a widely offered professional service. Now I estimate there are over 50 providers of this service in the Twin Cities alone! 

Over the 4.5 years that I've been providing this service professionally, I've heard a lot of scary stories about the ways people are handling this process. I've compiled this list of tips for encapsulators to try to educate everyone a bit more on how to do this process safely. 

Over the years I've tweaked and updated my own process as I've learned more and my certification with APPA (www.placentaassociation.com) earlier this year really reinforced that my procedures were sound and that this is a topic that deserves attention because this is a human organ we are talking about!

Here are my tips!

– Sanitizing all equipment is critical. Bleach is the best thing to use. Equipment should be soaked in a 10% bleach solution for 10 minutes. That means, if your sink holds 50 cups of liquid, you should put 45 cups of water in with 5 cups of bleach. 5 cups!!
– There really are no natural products that can be used as a substitute for bleach. Any other chemicals used for this purpose need to be on this approved list. They need to be effective against all blood borne pathogens, hep B, C, HIV, etc. There are wipes (like they use in hospitals) that can be used for wiping counters before and after the process.
– Counter space should be covered with a chux pad. 

by Anne Ferguson

In the last 2.5 years I've been blessed to share my love of placenta encapsulation with two news outlets. The first was a story done by Lindsay Seavert of WCCO here in the Twin Cities. She put together this really positive news story:

I was nervous about what angle they might take on this story, but I was pleased that it was an overall positive portrayal of this outside-the-mainstream practice. I figured if it could help even one mother do more research and learn about this option, then it was worth it. 

More recently, Brianna Long, a reporter from a news station down in Rochester, MN contacted me to do a story. Click HERE to view that story. 


I am thrilled that my clients felt strongly enough about their experience to go on TV (and the Internet!) and share with the world. I sometimes forget that this work I do every week is not typical, or considered normal, but I'm happy more and more woman are doing it! 

In the winter of 2009 I was preparing to give birth to my second son. My home birth midwives told me about placenta encapsulation and I thought "hey, that's weird... I want to do it!" I had a history of depression from years earlier, though thankfully did not suffer postpartum depression with my first son. However, I knew the transition to two children was a big one, and wanted to support myself in any way I could. Plus I just like to do things that are outside the mainstream!

I asked my sister-in-law if she would consider doing this for me. She was going to be at my birth doing photos and video and she is an excellent chef! That combined with the fact that she works with cadavers for her job made her seem like an ideal candidate. My brother said "I'll help" because he's just weird/cool like that. In the end my midwives Clare and Emme (from Trillium Midwifery Care) also helped get this process started in the hours after my birth. (Side note: They offer it as part of their home birth package now. So awesome!) Here are a few pictures they took! I noted in my journal that my SIL said it was fun!

I stayed upstairs in bed for the first week after giving birth. My family and friends took care of me so well. One of the things I remember most is the elaborate fruit plates my father-in-law would make for me. He'd bring them upstairs for me along with my placenta capsules! (My family has always been awesome in accepting my, um, unusual ways.)

That postpartum time is all a blur now (it's been over five years!) but I do remember feeling really upset when my placenta capsules ran out, and noticed I was much more emotional when they were gone. At 10 days postpartum I noted in my journal "Just took my placenta medicine. I wish there was some way to figure out how much it is helping, but I've only been a little weepy two or three times, so I figure that isn't too bad." Like I tell my clients, these capsules aren't so magic that you still won't have tough times, but I do really believe they offer so much support and make things easier during a period that is one of the hardest in perhaps your whole life.