The purpose of this course is to inform our Doulas, and through them, the mothers they serve, of the options they have for showing reverence and respect for the placenta, the marvelous organ that nourished their baby during their pregnancy.

In this course, we will teach you about the development of the placenta and how it works. We will be going through it’s functions in great detail, examining each of the important hormones that regulate the pregnancy.

For many women, the thought of this marvelous organ that supported their baby being discarded as “medical waste” after the birth is distasteful. Some have a desire to give it a respectful burial, to use it to make keepsakes of the pregnancy and birth or to give it back to the Earth by using it to plant a placenta tree. All of these are wonderful options that are discussed in this course.

The Madriella Doula Network does not offer a course in Placenta Encapsulation, also known as Maternal placentophagy, the postpartum ingestion of the placenta by the mother. This course is NOT a Certification in Placenta Encapsulation.

This course is reserved for our Professional Members

Prerequisites: Madriella Birth Doula course, Madriella Postpartum Doula course, Professional Development course

Course Requirements:
Textbooks for course (see reading list)
A working Internet connection
A computer or mobile device capable of:
a) Accessing the Internet
b) Uploading a written assignment/digital photo
c) Posting/reading messages in the forum
Completion and certification of the following: (may be done during the course)
a) Blood Borne Pathogens Certification
b) Food Handlers Card

Active Participation in the forum is required

Module 1 Introduction
Unit 1 The Role of the Madriella Doula Network Placenta Specialist  
Unit 2 Development of the Placenta  
Unit 3 The Functions of the Placenta  
Unit 4 Self Advocacy and the Placenta  
Unit 5 Review of the Third Stage of Labor  
Module 2 The Issues with Placentophagy
Unit 1 Important Safety Message  
Unit 2 The Purported Benefits of Placentophagy  
Unit 3 The Possible Risks of Placentophagy  
Unit 4 Group B Streptococcus (GBS)  
Unit 5 Examining a Placenta  
Module 3 The Hormones of the Placenta
Unit 1 The Endocrine Functions of the Placenta  
Unit 2 Hormones in Placentophagy  
Unit 3 Placental opioid enhancing factor (POEF)  
Unit 4 Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)  
Unit 5 Oxytocin  
Unit 6 Progesterone  
Unit 7 Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)  
Unit 8 Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH)  
Unit 9 Human Placental Lactogen (hPL)  
Unit 10 Immunogoblin G (IgG)  
Unit 11 Estrogen  
Module 4 Honoring the Placenta: Rituals, Observations and Art
Unit 1 Historical and Ethnological Traditions  
Unit 2 Burying the Placenta  
Unit 3 Placenta Trees (Actual)  
Unit 4 Placenta Trees (Prints)  
Module 5 Informational Support on Placenta Safety
Unit 1 The Evidence on Placenta Encapsulation.  
Unit 2 Human Placentophagy: Effects of Dehydration and Steaming on Hormones, Metals and Bacteria in Placental Tissue.  
Unit 3 Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Infections  
Unit 4 Placenta ingestion may lower milk supply  
Unit 5 Postpartum Depression (PPD)  
Unit 6 Transportation of the Placenta  
Unit 7 Legal Disclaimers used by Placenta Encapsulationists  
Unit 8 Overview of the Encapsulation Process  
Unit 9 Overview of Placenta Tinctures  
Unit 10 Additional Risk Factors  
Unit 11 Hormones in Placentophagy  
Module 6 Final Exam
Unit 1 Certified Placenta Specialist Final Exam