Meet MaryNissi: Founder of Positive Birth Corner & Placenta Encapsulation Specialist
by MaryNissi
My name is MaryNissi, and I’m the founder of Positive Birth Corner and host of the Positive Birth Podcast. I was born and raised in Malawi, Africa, and as a Black immigrant mom who experienced a positive hospital birth, I know how significant it is to carry not just a healthy baby, but also a healthy story into parenthood.
For over a decade, I’ve supported families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Today, one of the most unique ways I continue that support is through my work as a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist.
Yes, I’ll admit it, I’m in love with the placenta, because it’s one of the most underrated and incredible organs in the human body.
The Incredible Placenta
The placenta is a temporary yet powerful organ that develops only during pregnancy.
It connects the baby to the uterine wall, delivering oxygen and nutrients while removing waste products. But what makes it truly remarkable is how it protects and supports both parent and baby:
Produces vital hormones that sustain pregnancy.
Acts as an immunological barrier, shielding the baby from infection.
Balances the immune response and fights inflammation to keep the womb environment safe.
Think of the placenta as a protective gatekeeper, delivering life, while defending the baby from harm.
Honoring Cultural Traditions
Growing up in Malawi, I have been connected to the cultural and historical significance of placenta use. Across cultures, the placenta has been honored and treated with deep reverence.
In many families, it is buried under a tree, symbolizing growth, life, and the roots of connection. Across the world, cultures have long honored the placenta as more than medical tissue—it is a bridge between mother and baby, and a symbol of life’s sacredness.
These traditions shaped how I view my work today.
As a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist, I carry this cultural respect into modern birthwork, blending ancestral wisdom with safe, evidence-informed practices.
Why Placenta Support Matters Postpartum
The postpartum period is often called the “fourth trimester.” It’s a time of physical recovery, hormonal shifts, emotional adjustment, and identity transformation.
Many parents are surprised by how intense this stage can feel.
Placenta encapsulation, the practice of gently preparing and dehydrating the placenta into capsules for postpartum use, has become one way families support this transition. While research is still emerging, many parents who choose encapsulation report:
Improved mood and emotional balance
More sustained energy during recovery
Support for milk supply
A sense of closure and gratitude
Beyond the physical, encapsulation can provide a ritual of honoring.
Instead of the placenta being discarded, families can choose to transform it into something meaningful—a way of saying, this organ nourished my baby, and now it can nourish me as I heal.
Nutrients & Compounds Found in Encapsulated Placenta
Iron – Supports energy levels and helps prevent postpartum anemia.
Protein – Essential for tissue repair and overall recovery after childbirth.
Vitamin B6 – Aids in mood regulation and supports healthy brain function.
Vitamin B12 – Important for nerve health and energy production.
Vitamin E – An antioxidant that promotes tissue healing and boosts immune support.
Oxytocin (Hormone) – Encourages bonding, reduces stress, and may support milk letdown.
Choosing Placenta Encapsulation with Care
When families work with me, placenta support is never just about capsules. It’s about continuum of care, honoring the full journey from pregnancy into postpartum. Here’s what that looks like:
Safe collection and preparation of the placenta after birth.
Transparent communication about every step of the process.
Options that fit parents’ needs, encapsulation, tinctures, cord keepsakes, or prints.
Ongoing check-ins during postpartum, so parents feel held and supported.
Every family’s choice is different. Some want encapsulation, others prefer a keepsake ritual, and some simply want education about their options. My role is to ensure it’s always done with safety, respect, and meaning.
Research, Tradition & Every Body’s Uniqueness
Research on placenta encapsulation is still limited. While many new parents report feeling more energy, better mood, and emotional balance, these experiences are mostly personal and anecdotal. Science hasn’t confirmed its benefits yet, but it also hasn’t disproven them. We simply need more studies.
In Western medicine, treatments rely on scientific data, while in African, Indigenous, and Eastern traditions, the placenta has long been honored for its healing and symbolic power. For many, using the placenta is about trusting ancestral wisdom and choosing what feels right for their body.
Every person’s experience is different—what helps one birthing person may not help another. Many families choose encapsulation because it feels natural, empowering, and supportive during recovery.
However, encapsulation should be avoided in cases of infection (like chorioamnionitis), or when the birthing person has HIV or Hepatitis B/C, since these can make the process unsafe.
The Postpartum Journey, Nourished
For centuries, the placenta has been honored as more than an organ: it is the lifeline that sustains new life. Today, through encapsulation and other rituals, families can reclaim that wisdom in a modern way.
In the end, placenta encapsulation is a personal choice, one that blends science, tradition, and intuition.
The most important thing is doing what supports your healing, safely and meaningfully.
If you’re preparing for birth and wondering how to make your postpartum journey feel more supported, grounded, and whole, placenta care may be one path to explore.
Learn more about my Placenta Doula services.
Tune into the Positive Birth Corner Podcast for real stories and inspiration.
Follow @lemonlifedoula for tips, resources, and community.
Because birth isn’t just about the day your baby arrives–it’s about how you step into parenthood, nourished and empowered.