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Nikki Welling from Thetford in Norwich, England, recently quit her job as an actress in advertisements to help new moms feel “energised” by collecting their placenta and blending it into a smoothie or capsule.
The 34-year-old suffered from post-natal depression with her first-born, Jensen (6), and was desperate to feel good when she discovered she was pregnant with her second child, Hudson (4), in 2014.
Nikki was willing to try anything to avoid feeling that way again – even if it meant drinking her own placenta.
She loved the concoction of mixed berries and placenta so much she decided to make a living out of it.
“I can honestly say with my hand on my heart that my birth recovery was unbelievable thanks to consuming my placenta. I’d opted for placenta smoothies and capsules,” Nikki said.
“After my first smoothie my milk came in within 30-60 minutes and I felt energised.
“A placenta is jam-packed with hormones, including the corticotropin-releasing hormone, which is linked to stress reduction.
“I felt like it was putting life back into me and gave me a much-needed boost following a C-section.
“I felt exactly how you should feel after a baby – on cloud nine.
“When you’re pregnant, you visualise a happy you with your newborn and nobody prepares you or educates you on how you might feel.
“After Jensen, I had post-natal depression (PND) and I was desperate to feel good the second time around.
“Placenta encapsulation made complete sense to me and I wasn’t grossed out at all by it.
“I felt on top of the world even though I had a caesarean and a 14-month-old baby to care for. I knew I had to spread the word and offer other mommies the opportunity to feel good after a baby.”
Nikki launched Cherished Placentas in 2018 and spends her days travelling between East Anglia and London to collect placentas and returning them in a smoothie or capsule form.
“I absolutely love my job. If you’d told me 10 years ago I’d be doing this I’d have never believed you.
“I’m on call 24/7 as the moms ring me as soon as they’ve given birth and I head over to collect – I’ve had to get up at 2am before.
“But I don’t mind because I know it will help the mom recover.
“Once I’ve collected it in a chiller container, I go back to the unit to rinse and prepare it before cutting it into slides and leaving it to dehydrate,” she said.
“After a few hours, the placenta is either put into a grinder and then made into capsules or a walnut-sized portion is blended with mixed berries, organic banana and spring water to create a delicious smoothie.”
Nikki says the moms are impressed with the placenta smoothies.
“Many women opt for both and their feedback is always incredible.
“The reviews keep me focused and it’s so rewarding to know I’ve helped prevent baby blues, PND and sped up the recovery for mommies.
“When I return with the product, most moms invite me in for a snuggle with their baby, which is a massive perk of the job.
“I’ve found my calling and can’t stress enough the benefits of placenta encapsulation.”
Source: Magazine Features
