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 |