Drimoleague's Sinéad knows the unique power of the ‘gift' of placenta

MOTHER nature’s remedies are often overlooked or have just fallen out of favour, but for one West Cork mother of three, when it comes to childbirth, the power of the placenta just cannot be dismissed.

Sinéad Hurley, nee O’Sullivan, from Drimoleague, has seen her Placenta Encapsulation business go from strength to strength, as more and more mothers discover the positive results for themselves.

The placenta – also known as afterbirth – is an organ that connects the developing foetus to the uterine wall and provides oxygen and nutrients to growing babies. It also removes waste products from the baby’s blood.

It is believed to be beneficial if consumed by the mother after the birth of their child.

‘I know the challenges that women face, especially after pregnancy, and as a qualified, registered homeopath I am always interested in natural medicine. A friend of mine has a Placenta Encapsulation business in Cork, so having spoken to her and taken a course with Placenta Remedy Networks who are based in the UK I set up my own business,’ Sinéad total the Southern Star. 

After all, It’s not that far from Drimoleague to Kenmare where Sinéad is now based, with her husband Paul Hurley, who hails from Cork City.

‘I grew up in Breadagh Cross just outside Drimoleague with my mother Eleanor, my father Martin and my two brothers Kevin and Tony,’ Sinéad said.

After attending Mercy Heights Secondary School in Skibbereen, Sinéad went on to study at Skerries Business College and from there to a job with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.

‘After I had my own kids, and trained as a homeopath, I knew that the unique gift, that is the placenta, offers a specially formulated supplement for mothers following the trails our bodies go through after pregnancy,’ Sinéad epxlained.

Expectant mothers contact Sinéad during the second trimester of their pregnancy. ‘At this point I go through the simple hassle-free process. Where possible, I ask mums-to-be to have their birth partner text me just to let me know that labour has commenced. Sometimes this isn’t always possible.  It is extremely important to keep your placenta cool in your cooler bag or have someone store it in a fridge until I can collect. Once your placenta is ready for collection, I can arrange collection with your birthing partner at the appropriate time and place to meet and collect.,’ Sinéad said.

Sinéad will then take the placenta and prepare it for encapsulation.

‘Of course, it is very important that the whole process is conducted in a sterile environment, I prepare the placenta for dehydration and encapsulation. This process takes two to three days, after which I deliver the capsules back to the mother, it’s normally a two to three month supply – depending on the size of the placenta. The results speak for themselves. The placenta capsules help with everything from balancing post-birth hormones to replacing depleted iron and other vitamins and minerals, to warding off post-natal depression,’ Sinéad continued.

However, while much of the response from the medical profession has been positive, Sinéad has encountered some raised eyebrows when it comes to the clear benefits of bringing the placenta back into post-birth healing.

‘I suppose it’s like encouraging new mothers to breast feed. There was a time when this was seen as unnecessary and even outdated in the modern world, but now that’s all changing and the same is happening, slowly but surely, with the benefits of the placenta,’ Sinéad said.

While Sinéad is based in the Kingdom, she has not limited her business to the mothers of Kerry.

‘I’m living in Kenmare, just over the border so to speak, abut I also provide this service to West Cork mothers as well.  After all, I have to look after my own,’ Sinéad joked.

Contact Sinéad at Placenta Encapsulation Kerry on 087 2040200 or log on to www.sineadhurley.com.