Choosing a Safe Placenta Encapsulation Service: 10 Important Questions to Ask

There is no such thing as the perfect mom. So just stop trying.

Many women live with ADHD without even realizing it, and the symptoms usually become more apparent postpartum. Oftentimes, ADHD symptoms are mistaken for or lead to anxiety. So let’s talk about it.

ADHD is most commonly associated with children (boys especially), but it can, and often does, persist into adulthood. Many women may have gone undiagnosed because the symptoms tend to manifest differently in females and can be mistaken as stress or hormonal fluctuations. The demands of motherhood can exacerbate these symptoms, which makes it important for moms to be aware of the signs.

As a placenta encapsulation specialist, I spend a lot of time clearing up misinformation and misconceptions. People have all sorts of opinions, from those who are genuinely curious to those who, for whatever reason, are dead set on talking folks out of taking placenta pills. I fully understand that placenta encapsulation isn’t for everyone, but I am fully committed to helping people make informed decisions about how to support themselves postpartum.

Most soon-to-be moms imagine the transition to motherhood as an exciting time filled with sweet baby sounds, cuddles, and snuggles. Unfortunately, expectations don’t always align with reality. As a new mom, you might find yourself dealing with an unexpected surge in anger and irritability. It may lead you to question your “good mom” status. But it’s important to understand that "postpartum rage," is not only a symptom of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, it also serves as an indicator that you need more support.

The time for change is now.

If you’re an expecting or new mom who doesn’t buy into the bullshit, and you want to build a better world for our kids, I invite you to join me in the Fourth Trimester Revolution.

In many developed nations, postpartum care includes comprehensive support for women's health, and this often includes pelvic floor therapy. PFT addresses the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy and childbirth, particularly the stress placed on the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles play a pivotal role in bladder and bowel control, and when weakened or damaged, can lead to issues like urinary incontinence.

Unfortunately, in the US, there's been a historical lack of emphasis on this aspect of maternal health, and honestly, it's infuriating.

It's flipping awesome that there's now a medication with proven efficacy in treating postpartum depression (PPD). However, when we consider the potential benefits of placenta encapsulation in preventing PPD, it's kind of infuriating to see the lack of research in this area.

Let’s consider the reasons behind it.

Placenta encapsulation, one of my specialties, is really not as wild as it seems. It involves taking a new mom's placenta, dehydrating it, grinding it into a powder, and encapsulating it for her own consumption. This age-old practice has been around for centuries but has increased in popularity among mainstream folks over the last decade or two, thanks in part to Kim Kardashian and the power of social media.

Many of us who have tried it swear by the efficacy of our placenta pills. Yet, skeptics scream about its safety and lack of scientific evidence – even though not a single woman or baby has been harmed by it. 

In a world where society often leaves new moms to navigate motherhood alone, many are willing to try anything, especially something created by their own bodies, to enhance their postpartum experience. It's a form of empowerment, giving moms the choice and control over their own well-being.

Society has abandoned us. So I say, we abandon it. F*ck society & its norms. We’ve tried to meet the standards, but where has it gotten us? To start, it’s landed us in a maternal mental health crisis, one in which at least 1 in 5 of us are struggling with anxiety/depression. ONE IN FIVE.

It's okay to not have it all together.

(In fact, it’s quite normal.)

Your worth is non-negotiable. You deserve to live a life where the load is shared equally, where you're supported, and where your partner is as invested in your family's well-being as you are.

Dive into the reality of modern motherhood as I challenge conventional norms and shed light on postpartum anxiety. I argue that it's not just about coping but understanding and taming this beast. With the right support and insights, I empower new parents to navigate this challenging phase with resilience, peace, and a middle finger to societal expectations.

The United States drops the ball when it comes to postpartum care and perinatal mental health and it's time for a change. Here’s why I think the 6-week check-up is a joke.

In a past life, I was a yoga instructor and dedicated yogi. These days, my daily yoga practice often consists of deep breathing while sitting at a red light.

The good news is that you can make yoga a simple and accessible part of your daily “routine” (I use that term lightly when referring to motherhood, because as we know, the best laid plans) even if you’ve never practiced yoga a minute in your life, even with a newborn in tow. And yes, even if your newborn needs to be attached to you at all times.

Yoga can be a game-changer for postpartum moms and babies, with a focus on simplicity, mindfulness, and its benefits for moms with ADHD or sensory issues.

Becoming a mom is mind-blowingly incredible, but when you have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), postpartum life can be uniquely challenging. The added responsibilities and changes can be overwhelming — and don’t even mention the lack of time to recharge. I’m not going to sugarcoat this — ADHD might affect your postpartum experience, and it increases your risk for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs).

I'm still scared every day.

My babies are 13 and 9 now and they are currently on an airplane without me. And I’m f*cking terrified. And I don't mean regular terrified.

I mean full-blown anxiety terrified.

Even with all the therapy and all the work I’ve done. Even with medication and meditation. I am still terrified.

Because I know that babies can die. And I’m sorry, but that’s terrifying.

But the more I learn about my brain and the way it functions, the more pissed off I am that society convinced me that looking someone in the eyes is the only way to communicate what we need to say. I can’t believe I bought into this for so long.

But fuck that. Words written with intention hold just as much power as words coming out of the mouth. It’s time we dismantle the idea that speaking directly is the only "right" way to “legitimately” communicate.

Communication isn't a one-size-fits-all kinda thing, and if you’re like me and prefer to write it out rather than hash it out, I want to give you some permission slips.

I’ve been noticing myself masking up around my own kid and around his friends. I find myself censoring myself so I don't get made fun of and told that I'm embarrassing or weird. And I couldn't figure out why it was upsetting me so much because I get it that all most kids are embarrassed by their parents at some point, but this is just hitting me really hard.

And I figured out why – it’s giving me flashbacks and insight into my life before I wore my own masks. It’s reminding me of what it felt like when I was a kid and began to realize I didn’t fit.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve always been kind of on the fringe, living your life by your rules, but with a bit of self-loathing that you hid from the world.

And then motherhood happened and suddenly, you're grappling with these overwhelming and unfamiliar feelings of being out of control. It's like you're facing a stranger in the mirror every morning and you’re not sure how to deal with her and her big feelings. And the people you’ve known, the people who you’ve taught to see you how you could handle being seen are no longer there. Now there are new people and a new life and it feels like a lot.