'In giving birth to our babies,
we may find that we give birth to new possibilities within ourselves.'
-Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn,
The placenta, or the "Little Mother" is the
beautiful life source that connects your baby to your uterine wall to allow nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and
oxygen through your blood supply.
In non pregnant women, the hypothalamus secretes a stress
fighting hormone called corticotropin- releasing hormone or CRH which in turn
increases the amount of cortisol hormone in our blood. This raises the blood
sugar levels and maintains normal blood pressure which helps us to perform well
under stress (ie. pregnancy, labour and childbirth).
During pregnancy however, it's the placenta that secretes
CRH.
Hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and prolactin are
produced in various locations in a womans body pre pregnancy as well.
During pregnancy however, like CRH, the placenta then
begins to produce these hormones for us.
When we birth the placenta, all of the hormones and
nutrients it has been producing for us over the past 9 months goes with it.
It takes time for our bodies to figure out these hormones
are no longer in the blood stream and to start producing these hormones as it
did before.
By taking the Placenta caps, you replenish your own body as
well as baby's with these hormones and nutrients that otherwise would have been
lost!
How else can it help you?
The placenta is vitamin (B6 & E), mineral and iron
rich. This will help with PPD, anemia as well as:
Aids in hormone balance (especially important for PPD).
Helps with milk supply and helps milk come in
quicker.
Energy levels are restored and maintained.
Aids in better sleep.
Aids in returning the uterus to pre- pregnancy size quicker.
Shortens the time and lessens the amount of bleeding
postpartum.
What are those hormones for, anyway?
Estrogen:
Produced by the ovaries in a non pregnant woman, and by the placenta in a
pregnant woman, estrogen is the primary female sex hormone. With progesterone,
it prepares the uterine lining for the fertilized egg and the uterus to be a
welcome home for your little one for 9 months. Low levels of estrogen are
linked to postpartum depression.
Progesterone:
Produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands in a non pregnant woman, and by the
placenta in a pregnant woman after the 8th week. By term, the placenta will
produce 250mg of progesterone a day. If in a womans cycle, pregnancy does not
occur, progesterone levels will drop and lead to menstruation.
Prolactin:
In a non pregnant woman this hormone provides the body with sexual
gratification. In pregnant women, this hormone stimulates the mammary glands to
produce milk for our babies. Levels of prolactin are high in the third
trimester.
Oxytocin:
Helps uterus contract back to pre-pregnancy size, helps bonding with babes by giving us feelings of love and happiness, helps to facilitate breastmilk ejection reflex or "milk let down"
Thyroid stimulating hormone:
Gives us energy and helps us to recover from stressful events.
Cortisone:
Combats stress, unlocks energy stores, reduces inflammation and pain
lexi@birthroots.net
www.birthroots.net
