Frequently Asked Questions about Placenta Encapsulation 

What is Placenta Encapsulation?
  • Placenta Encapsulation is a form of placentophagia, the act of consuming placenta  postpartum   for various reasons and benefits (see resources to your right).  The number of women partaking in this practice increases every day.
  • The placenta is dehydrated shortly following the birth, ground into powder, and placed into capsules (resulting in 80-200, depending on the placenta size) for you to consume with ease; no different than swallowing a vitamin or herbal supplement. The capsules are clear, size 0 for easy swallow, and 100% vegetarian (unless you prefer gelatin). They do not include any wheat, preservatives, or GMO materials, and there are no preservatives added during the encapsulation process. The whole process will have your capsules ready within  48-72 hours.

Isn't the placenta considered a waste organ and normally disposed of after birth?
  • Medically, although it is typically thrown out in our country after birth, the placenta is considered a facilitator organ, used to deliver nutrients to the baby and dispose of waste back through the mother's blood supply.  
  • The majority of mammals consume their placentas - mammals from every category whether herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores, prey animals or not. 
  • Throughout history, from ancient Sumeria to Asia,  Oceania, Aboriginal Australia,  Medieval Europe, India, and Africa, the placenta has been revered as sacred which has led to honoured culture practices, various art form depictions, planted under fruit trees and rose bushes, ceremonially buried, and the placenta being the subject of many spiritual works, creation stories, and folklore.  Placenta has also been used in Chinese and Vietnamese medicine for over a thousand years. 

Can I consume my placenta if I am a vegetarian or vegan?
  • This is of course entirely up to you and your value system, however the unique factor of the placenta is that it's the only "meat" which comes from birth and life as opposed to the death of a sentient being. The organ is a product of conception that develops separately out of the baby's cells and implants itself into the mother's uterine wall to transfer nutrients, take over hormone production, and eliminate waste. While it joins two individuals together to sustain the newly created life, it is not a body part that would make placenta consumption an act of cannibalism that would turn a vegetarian into an omnivore. 

How do I proceed if I want to have my placenta encapsulated?
  • Fill out a Contact Form, including your EDD (estimated due date), location and telephone number.  I will respond within 48 hours to confirm receipt of your message.  Once we connect and confirm your interest I  will send you a contract. When you return the signed contract along with your deposit I will book time to do your placenta.  All questions and waiver/liability are to protect you and your health, my other clients, and myself. The more information I receive, the better I can assist you and identify any potential concerns or contraindications that might prevent encapsulation.  

What are my processing options?  
  • You have the choice between the Raw method or Traditional Chinese Medicine method (TCM) method. Both confer different benefits.  Please see my list of resources to help you determine the best method for you! Here is a simplified explanation of the different methods: 

Raw Method Simplified: 
  • Placenta is sliced thin, and placed into the dehydrator. It is dried thoroughly and then ground into powder using a food processor.  The powder is then encapsulated using 0 size capsules, and each capsule is placed into a clean jar and  labelled.    This method is believed to better preserve hormones and nutrients. Some clients say it provides more of an energy boost. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine Method Simplified: 
  • Placenta is rinsed with water, trimmed, and then steamed with organic lemon, ginger, and green chili.  The herbs are not included in the capsules themselves, just pure placenta. Then, it is sliced very thin and placed  into the dehydrator until each piece is completely brittle and dried thoroughly.  It is then ground into powder using a food processor. Next, the powder is encapsulated using 0 size capsules, then placed into a clean jar and  labelled.  This method is believed to be warming and replenishing to the postpartum body and circulatory system, and more supportive of mood.
 
As a client, what is my part in the encapsulation process?
  • Each client is to inform their care providers (OB, midwife, doula, etc) prior to their estimated due date, that they wish to be given the placenta after birthing it rather than it being discarded. A good idea is to include this note in your birth preferences list. I will supply a hospital release form if needed which waives the staff and hospital institution of any liability for whatever purpose the placenta is chosen to be kept. You are best to give a copy to the charge nurse. Keep a copy for yourself just in case your original gets misplaced. 
  • Some hospitals want the placenta removed immediately so you may have to make arrangements with a friend, family member, or your doula to take it home and refrigerate it if I cannot pick it up immediately.  You should discuss this with your provider before your birth.
  • If you are birthing at home or at a birth center, you can ask your midwife to put the placenta in a fridge until I can come and pick it up. 
  • The task of handling the placenta and ensuring it gets to a safe place can be assigned to a partner, midwife, doula, or family member.  It is helpful to put it in a container that will not leak during transport. You can store your placenta in anything you would keep food in. You can use a large, freezer strength ziplock bag or a tupperware-type container. Please do not rinse your placenta or package it with absorbent material. Do not allow ice or water to come into direct contact with it.  At a hospital  they may supply you with a white plastic placenta bucket, but it's best to bring your own packaging to be on the safe side. It's safe to leave it out at room temperature for about two hours - after that it should be kept cool. If it will be a while before it sees a refrigerator you can put ice packs around your packaged placenta and store it in a cooler. You can fill ziplocks or hospital gloves with ice from the ice machine to make cold packs. 
  •  Your placenta should be refrigerated within 2 hours post-birth, and frozen 3 days post-birth.
  • I prefer to receive notification at the start of labour and then once the baby has been born so that I am ready and on call to start the encapsulation process as soon as possible. 

Where do you prepare the placenta?
  • I prepare the placenta in my own home. This is to ensure the designated space, equipment, and disinfecting protocols are up to standard to lower the risk of contamination as well as to enable me to monitor and be present for the entire process. It also allows the family privacy as they are settling in with their new little one shortly after the birth. The only exception to this is in the event a client is STD positive. In that case I may perform the encapsulation in their own home with their own supplies. On top of following national food safety guidelines, I am trained in OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens and completely sanitize my kitchen as well as my separate, designated encapsulation equipment in accordance with Health Canada standards for cleaning medical supplies.

Sanitation and Safety
  • Safety is very important for your health, for the health of the family who comes after you, and for me and my family.
  • I have OHS Canada-compliant training in the control of blood borne pathogens in the workplace. All of my equipment is used exclusively for placenta preparation.  All of my equipment is sanitized to Health Canada standards for semi-critical medical equipment.  I wear non-latex gloves from start to finish.
  • I follow all standard universal precautions, including wearing gloves, and each piece of my equipment (dehydrator, food processor, and encapsulator) is disassembled and sanitized using a 10% bleach solution.  Additionally, I ask my clients to sign a contract stating whether or not they have any known blood-borne illnesses.  

How many capsules will I get?  
  • This all depends on the size of your placenta and the method you choose.  The size of your placenta usually matches the size of your baby (i.e. a large baby will have a larger placenta). Most placentas that I've worked with yield approximately 150 capsules, although some I've worked with have yielded approximately 100 and some over 200.

How many capsules do I take each day?
  • You will receive dosage guidelines with your capsules. They are guidelines, not strict instructions. Your placenta is not a standardized factory product. Each one will have a different proportion of hormones and nutrients, made just for you. You can take more or fewer capsules depending on how you are feeling.
  • A good starting place is one capsule in the evening; graduate to one twice  a day; and then graduate to two capsules twice  day. If you are feeling agitated or having trouble sleeping you can reduce your dosage to one, twice  a day, and/or skip the last dose of the day. After two weeks, if you are doing well and your bleeding has almost stopped, you may wish to cut back to one, twice  a day so that your capsules last longer and you taper gradually off of the hormones. Most people will have best results by continuing to take their capsules until they are gone. Placenta capsules help your body transition from pregnant to not pregnant.

How do I store my capsules?
  • Placenta capsules can be stored in the fridge to maximize their shelf life, although they are fine if left out for a while being they are fully dehydrated.  If you are looking to store them long-term, you should store the capsules in your freezer.  

       
Thank you for trusting me with your beautiful placenta! 

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* Disclaimer:   I am not a licensed medical professional and I am not able to diagnose, treat or prescribe for any health condition. Services and fees are for the preparation and encapsulation of your placenta, not for the sale of the pills.   No specific benefits or effects are promised. It is your responsibility to determine whether using placenta preparations may be of benefit to you.