When I was pregnant with my second son and my blood pressure became a concern, my midwife put me on an egg-eating regimen.  With a history of pre-eclampsia, we were on a mission to avoid that diagnosis at all costs.  I was advised to eat one egg and drink a half cup of milk every hour for 17 hours per day.  I was to do this for 3 days.

Yes, that’s 51 eggs in three days.  The result?  A blood pressure that was somewhere in the ballpark of 117/78.

What I didn’t know back then was that choline, a main component in eggs and milk, not only has an impact on gestational hypertension, but can also impact the fetus’ health later in life.  By ingesting increased choline during the third trimester of pregnancy, the baby is less at risk for hypertension and diabetes as they age.

A study found that pregnant women ingesting more than 900 milligrams of choline have babies with a decreased concentration of cortisol, a stress hormone.  By having a decreased cortisol level, the child is less likely to suffer from stress related illnesses such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

It looks like eggs should be a staple in any expecting mamas diet, not only for her health, but the health of her baby, too.

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Carmen Calvo, CPES

Congratulations to Michelle Jones on becoming a PBi-Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist!

Michelle is the mother of 4, who is very knowledgeable about natural childbirth.  In addition to helping new mothers with placenta encapsulation, Michelle is a birth and postpartum doula and a Lamaze Childbirth Educator.  Michelle became interested in placenta encapsulation after the birth of her child in 2006.  Hearing other women’s positive postpartum experiences was what inspired her journey to becoming a PES.

I love helping new mother’s navigate though the trying postpartum period. I almost get giddy with excitement when a new mom signs up for encapsulation, as I know that her postpartum will likely be smoother and more pleasant for the entire family. -Michelle Jones

Certification takes a lot of hard work, time, and commitment.  In order to be certified through PBi, a candidate must read and write response papers to research related to placentophagy.  A candidate must also pass a written exam, prepare three placentas using the PBi method, and complete a food safety course to adhere to local and state health regulations.

Michelle, the PBi Network of Specialists congratulates you on your certification and we thank you for helping the women in your community achieve an optimal postpartum experience.

It’s no secret that every pregnancy a woman experiences leaves its impact on her forever.  Experiencing a life growing inside of you and becoming a mother can change you forever.  But did you know that fetal cells from every pregnancy remain in the mother, sometimes even 50 years later?

During pregnancy, fetal cells cross the placental wall and make themselves at home in the mother’s body.  Sometimes some of the cells die off, while others stick around for decades.  Dr. Kirby Johnson of Tufts University has been studying these fetal cells for years, wondering what their purpose was in the mother’s body.

It appears some of the fetal cells can often help in healing, especially in livers, and fight to keep the mother healthy.  Conversely, other fetal cells can attack the mother, making ailments such as arthritis worse.  There are many determining factors into why the cells behave as they do.

What produces these behaviors? Dr. Johnson sighed and said the list of explanations keeps getting longer. It could depend on the disease. It could depend on the type of fetal cell (they can be different). It may depend on the mother’s age, how many conceptions she’s had, or who the father was. (Fathers can be genetically similar to the mother or genetically very different, and that variance seems to matter.) (Source)

This is not where fetal cell swapping ends, either.  The cells from siblings, mothers, and fathers can all be transferred from one individual to another.  An older sibling’s cells can cross through the placenta and into the subsequent fetus.  Similarly, the father’s cells, which make up half the fetus’ DNA, can enter into the mother as well.

The fetal cells from each pregnancy, flowing in a mother’s bloodstream, can be passed on to her successive kids. If we have an older sibling, that older sibling’s cells may be in us. The baby in a large family may harbor the genes of many brothers and sisters. My mother’s cells are in my body, and so are my daughter’s cells, and half my daughter’s DNA comes from her dad. Some of those cells may be in my brain. (http://jenapincott.com/)

Steven O'Connor, M.D.

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Carmen Calvo, CPES

The PBi Network of Specialists would like to extend a warm welcome to Alexis Brown, Placenta Encapsulation Specialist.

Alexis is the mother of a terrific little boy and is the ONLY specialist in North and South Dakota.  Alexis is committed to providing new mothers with her placenta encapsulation services and is willing to travel in order to make that happen.

With an interest in the childbearing year, the women in North and South Dakota are fortunate to have access to the benefits of placenta encapsulation with Alexis Brown, PES.

Thank you Alexis for your hard work!

Orange County, CA has a new Placenta Encapsulation Specialist, Missy Garcia.

Missy is a holistically trained registered nurse and certified lactation educator who enjoys working with women and children.  Missy is a believer in holistic medicine and thinks it is all too often overlooked.

“Many things are overlooked in regards to a more holistic approach, but my belief is if it has worked for thousands of years and our species is still around then that obviously says something.” - Missy Garcia

Missy became interested in placenta encapsulation after the birth of her daughter.  She wanted to encapsulate her daughter’s placenta herself, but unfortunately was unable, resulting in a more difficult postpartum experience.  Missy does not want other women having a slow and painful recovery from childbirth and is excited to be helping the women in Orange County.

Last week we talked about the Ayurvedic method of heating the placenta to revive an unresponsive newborn.  Another Ayurvedic technique that may be able to boost your health is oil pulling.

Oil Pulling is the act of swishing 1 tablespoon of a healthy oil (olive or coconut will do the trick) in your mouth for 20 minutes first thing in the morning.  It is important that you do this prior to eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth.  The oil will collect the toxins from your mouth, which often are what can cause disease.

Oil Pulling has reportedly cured or aided in the treatment of many diseases; Mouth & Gum Disease; Stiff Joints; Allergies; Asthma; High Blood Sugar; Constipation; Migraines; Bronchitis; Eczema; Heart, Kidney, Lung Diseases; Leukemia; Arthritis; Meningitis; Insomnia; Menopause (hormonal issues); Cancer; AIDS; Chronic Infections; Varicose Veins; High Blood Pressure; Diabetes; Polio; Cracked Heels.

“When Dr Karsch examined the gargled milk-white oil under a microscope with 600 magnification, he saw live organisms swimming in it. It’s poisonous, so never swallow it, he warns. These poisons are bacteria-embryos, which, if not eliminated, cause diseases. Apparently, Dr Karsach cured his own chronic blood disease and 15-year-old arthritis.” -www.earthclinic.com

It sounds like oil pulling may be a great way to help you on your journey to achieving wellness.  At the very least, it will whiten your teeth.

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Carmen Calvo, PES

The PBi family would like to extend a very warm welcome to Candice Martirosian, our newest Placenta Encapsulation Specialist (PES).  Candice is the mother of three boys and became extremely passionate about birth after her amazing (and quick!) birth experiences.  Candice feels very strongly about the benefits the placenta can offer a postpartum mother.  Candice believes this is a calling from God, and is extremely honored to be helping pregnant women and their families.

“And now am so pleased to say I can offer my services to pregnant (soon to be postpartum) women, I can reach them, I can touch their lives for the better and be a blessing to them.” -Candice Martirosian

The women in the Fresno, CA community are lucky to have such a passionate and dedicated PES in their area who is so eager to serve them.

Congratulations Candice and welcome to the PBi Network of Specialists!

Vernix Caseosa

Babies are born covered in a thick, white, cheese-like substance called vernix caseosa.  In the hospital it is typical for babies to be bathed immediately to remove the vernix.  However, an immediate postnatal bath may not be the best option for a baby and should be reconsidered.

Vernix Caseosa has many benefits.  Produced during the third trimester, vernix acts as a protective barrier for the baby in utero, and aids in lubrication during the birth process.  This waxy, waterproof substance has great postnatal benefits too.  Vernix Caseosa has antibacterial effects, deterring common pathogens such as group B. Streptococcus, K. pneumoniae, L. monocytogenes, C. albicans, and E. coli. Vernix Caseosa also aids in regulating the baby’s body temperature.

It is recommended that a newborn’s bath be delayed for 24-hours.  Vernix Caseosa is there to keep your baby healthy.  Perhaps hospital staff should let it do its job.

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Carmen Calvo, CPES

Congratulations to Carmen Calvo on becoming a Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist.  Carmen lives in Baltimore, MD with her husband and two sons and is serving the Baltimore, Annapolis, and Eastern Shore communities.

After experiencing pregnancy and birth, Carmen became extremely passionate about birth and out-of-hospital birth options.  However, it wasn’t until her second birth that she experienced the benefits of placenta encapsulation and realized that she wanted to give other women the gift of a happy and balanced postpartum experience.  Carmen recently started her own placenta encapsulation business, The Nurturing Root and is thrilled to be providing placenta encapsulation services to women in her community.

“After my placenta encapsulation, I became a believer in the power of a baby’s placenta.  What a wonderful gift!  I am really looking forward to helping women get the postpartum period that they deserve without the blues, anxiety, and depression.” -Carmen Calvo

Becoming certified takes time and commitment.  In order to be certified through PBi, a candidate must read and write response papers to research related to placentophagy.  A candidate must also pass a written exam, prepare three placentas using the PBi method, and complete a food safety course to adhere to local and state health regulations.

Congratulations Carmen!

Have you considered joining the PBi family?  Register for the training course today!

Are you pregnant?  Find a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist in your area.