The placenta that connects a mother to her child gets separated at the time of parturition but creates an inseparable and undefinable bond between them for the whole life."
~Namrata Singh
*Upgraded Umbilical Cord Keepsake into Nursery Mobile
|
Postpartum Bliss~ Sweet N’ Simple with Intuitive Art
|
Postpartum Bliss~ Sweet N' Simple
|
What is the placenta?
The placenta is truly amazing! It is a specialized organ that develops in the uterus and is fully functioning by the 12th week of pregnancy. It’s job is to act as a physical and immunological protective filter between mama and baby. The placenta permits the passage of blood, nutrients, hormones, and steroids necessary for growth and development via the umbilical cord. During labor, the placenta is still being pumped full of bio-available compounds such as oxytocin, estrogen, progesterone, prostaglandin, corticotrophin, thyrotrophin, thyroxine, serotonin, Vitamin B6, copper, iron, selenium, zinc, endorphins, and natural opioids. After labor and delivery of baby, there is a 3rd stage of labor in which the placenta is birthed and still contains all these compounds. I view the placenta as sacred medicine your body creates to help you through the postpartum period. Your body has created the placenta for the baby and YOU. This is something the hospital might not inform you of, but you have the right to it after birth. I would love to help preserve it, however that may look to you.
Placentophagy
Placentophagy is the act of consuming the placenta. It has been practiced in various cultures for centuries around the world. It may be consumed raw, cooked, tinctured, or taken in capsule form. Encapsulation is the most popular form of consumption. Some incredible benefits of consumption are as follows, most mothers have experienced at least 3-4:
- replenishment and regulation of hormones
- alleviated postpartum bleeding
- improved and accelerated healing and recovery
- enhanced uterine involution (uterus returning to pre-pregnancy size)
- reduced maternal postpartum pain
- prevention and treatment of anemia
- improved lactation
- improved quality of sleep
- increased libido
- increased strength and vitality
- accelerated weight loss postpartum
- headache relief and prevention
- hypothyroidism relief and prevention
- facilitated bonding with newborn
| Detailed Benefits of Maternal Postpartum Placenta Consumption.docx |
Placenta Encapsulation Packages
I have a plethora of offerings for such a sacred time in your life ranging from capsules & placental art, to handcrafted herbal creations & heart-warming heat packs. Each package has an opportunity for upgrades if there is an item that interests you but is not included. I want this experience to be tailored to your desires so you can feel pampered, nurtured, and cared for as you should be on your postpartum journey!
Payment plans available upon request.
Payment plans available upon request.
Postpartum Bliss~ The Works
This package includes placenta encapsulation, an umbilical cord keepsake* & print, tincture, salve, herbal massage oil, heart-warming heat pack, herbal bath soak, herbal lip balm ~ $455
Postpartum Bliss~ Happy Medium
This package includes placenta encapsulation, umbilical cord keepsake* & print, tincture, salve, and 2 add-ons of your choice~ $420
Postpartum Bliss~ Sweet N' Simple
This package is simple but still just as magical! It includes placenta encapsulation with an umbilical cord keepsake* & placenta print with intuitive art for you and baby~ $333
Postpartum Bliss~ The Basics
This package includes placenta encapsulation and umbilical cord keepsake* ~ $300
Sliding scale available for this package if needed so that this wonderful service can be available to more families. Please discuss with me if this is the case.
Sliding scale available for this package if needed so that this wonderful service can be available to more families. Please discuss with me if this is the case.
Add-on Options
Herbal Massage Oil $18
Heart-warming Heat Pack $18
Placenta Print~ $33
Herbal & Magnesium Bath Soak $18
Herbal Lip Balm $18
Tincture~ $25
Salve~ $25
Smoothie Cubes~ $25
*Umbilical Cord Dreamcatcher or Mobile (an upgrade from the standard keepsake)~ $25
Heart-warming Heat Pack $18
Placenta Print~ $33
Herbal & Magnesium Bath Soak $18
Herbal Lip Balm $18
Tincture~ $25
Salve~ $25
Smoothie Cubes~ $25
*Umbilical Cord Dreamcatcher or Mobile (an upgrade from the standard keepsake)~ $25
Methods of Preparation
The Gentle (TCM) Method~ the placenta is steamed prior to dehydration and encapsulation. Traditionally, it is steamed with herbs and foods to balance the yin (cold) and yang (cold) energies within the body after childbirth. Lemon is used as antiseptic and to move the placenta through the body, and ginger used as a warming agent. This process yields a smaller amount of capsules as the steam shrinks the placenta. This method may be used if the birthing mother has a caffeine sensitivity, insomnia, hyperthyroidism, anxiety (for a more balancing effect), or if there is any concern of contamination.
The Raw Method~ consists of placing the placenta in a dehydrator without steaming prior to encapsulation. This method holds in more of the energy-boosting hormones & minerals and yields a higher number of capsules. This method is not recommended for a client with caffeine sensitivity, insomnia, hyperthyroidism, or anxiety.
Tincture~ a piece of the placenta is placed in a bottle and covered with a high-proof alcohol for lifetime preservation. Tincture can be used as a hormone therapy supplement through menopause or the biological daughter during puberty.
Salve~ prepared with the dehydrated placenta powder, herbs, oils, beeswax, and essential oils which may be applied topically. Salve can be used to alleviate cracked nipples, diaper rash, c-section scars, hemorrhoids, stretch marks, psoriasis, eczema, and even a hair/face moisturizer.
Smoothie Cubes~ slices of the raw placenta are set aside to be used in smoothies within the first 5 days postpartum. We can discuss how many you would like in our prenatal meeting/placenta pickup. Unused pieces may be frozen, but do lose some of the nutrients as the stem cells crystallize in the freezer.
Placental Art~ after cleaning, I will take a print of the placenta showcasing the Tree of Life, which symbolizes oneness and connection. I also love to make umbilical keepsakes using a piece of the cord, shaping it into a heart or the word “love,” and dehydrating the piece. These make for a beautiful baby room decorations and is a lovely way to honor the placenta.
The Raw Method~ consists of placing the placenta in a dehydrator without steaming prior to encapsulation. This method holds in more of the energy-boosting hormones & minerals and yields a higher number of capsules. This method is not recommended for a client with caffeine sensitivity, insomnia, hyperthyroidism, or anxiety.
Tincture~ a piece of the placenta is placed in a bottle and covered with a high-proof alcohol for lifetime preservation. Tincture can be used as a hormone therapy supplement through menopause or the biological daughter during puberty.
Salve~ prepared with the dehydrated placenta powder, herbs, oils, beeswax, and essential oils which may be applied topically. Salve can be used to alleviate cracked nipples, diaper rash, c-section scars, hemorrhoids, stretch marks, psoriasis, eczema, and even a hair/face moisturizer.
Smoothie Cubes~ slices of the raw placenta are set aside to be used in smoothies within the first 5 days postpartum. We can discuss how many you would like in our prenatal meeting/placenta pickup. Unused pieces may be frozen, but do lose some of the nutrients as the stem cells crystallize in the freezer.
Placental Art~ after cleaning, I will take a print of the placenta showcasing the Tree of Life, which symbolizes oneness and connection. I also love to make umbilical keepsakes using a piece of the cord, shaping it into a heart or the word “love,” and dehydrating the piece. These make for a beautiful baby room decorations and is a lovely way to honor the placenta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the encapsulation process look like?
A: The placenta will be rinsed, inspected, sliced thinly, dehydrated, ground up, and then put into capsules.
Q: How may capsules will I get?
A: Placentas come in all sizes. Most placentas, depending how they are prepared, yield 120-200+ capsules. When prepared with the Gentle TCM method, less capsules are filled due to the shrinking of the placenta caused by steaming. When prepared using the raw method, the yield is higher.
Q: How many capsules do I take?
A: We will do a pre-dosage call to discuss how you've been feeling, your energy levels, what milk production is like, and pain levels to see what dosage would best fit you. The majority of the capsules will be taken within the first 40 days postpartum and will slowly taper off. Some women choose to save about 6 capsules and take 2 per day when the normal menstrual cycle returns.
Q: What if I am already postpartum and have my frozen placenta. Can you still use it?
A: Yes! Just know that due to the crystallization of the stem cells in the freezer, it will be less potent than a fresh placenta.
Q: What if I am on the fence about encapsulation at the time of birth and have not secured an encapsulation specialist?
A: I do take last minute clients. As long as your placenta has been cared for properly, placed on ice or in a fridge or freezer within two hours of delivery, it can still be encapsulated. If you are still on the fence and have not yet made a decision it is always better to take your placenta home and place it in your freezer by day 3. Your placenta can be encapsulated for several months following birth if it was handled properly. Once the hospital removes the placenta from your room, you will not be able to get it back. If you are on the fence, I would love to chat with you and answer any questions that you might have.
Q: Can my placenta still be encapsulated if I have a medicated birth or c section?
A: The answer to both of these is Yes. Medications that are used in labor break down quickly so that there are no lasting affects to the placenta. Be sure that your birthing team knows that you are planning to take your placenta, especially in the case of a C section, so that appropriate care is taken to avoid contamination of the placenta and to have it put on ice following delivery.
Q: When is it unsafe to have your placenta encapsulated?
A: In the case of uterine infection during labor, your placenta will need to be sent to pathology and would be unsafe for encapsulation. Fever during labor signifies possible infection. Many care providers take a case by case approach a to fever in labor to determine if it’s from an infection or another cause such as medication. In the case of a fever, discuss with your care provider to ensure your placenta is safe for consumption. If your provider believes infection may be the cause and wishes to send to pathology for testing, you can request that they send a piece of the placenta and allow you to hold the remainder until the results are known. In this case I request a doctor's note saying it is safe. If results come back saying there is infection, you may choose to have a print created, bury your placenta, have a piece saved for a keepsake, or disposed. If infection is not the cause and the placenta has been kept on ice or in a refrigerator for no longer than three days it is still safe to continue with the encapsulation process at that time. If it will be longer than three days for results, the placenta should be put in the freezer to prevent spoilage.
For the safety of myself or other clients I cannot encapsulate a placenta if mom has HIV or Hep A, B, or C. Some believe it is still safe for the mother to consume her placenta even if she is positive for any of these because she is already carrying it and she could choose to do encapsulation on her own.
Q: Can I encapsulate my placenta if I test positive for Strep B, GBS?
A: Yes, you can still have your placenta encapsulated using Traditional Chinese Method of encapsulation because this method steams the placenta to 160 degrees before dehydrating. A tincture can also still be made for you using the powder after the placenta has been completely processed.
Q: Can I encapsulate if there is meconium present at birth?
A: Yes, when meconium is present at time of birth this does not affect the safety of the placenta. I will need to know that there was meconium so that I can do a pre-wash and soak of the placenta to remove excess bacteria before beginning the encapsulation process.
Q: Can I have a lotus birth and still encapsulate?
A: It is best for the placenta to be placed on ice within two hours of birth if encapsulation is desired. A partial lotus birth can still be attained and the cord can be separated by cutting or burning, depending on the wishes of the parents.
Q: My care provider says my placenta must go to pathology for testing. Can I still encapsulate?
A: If there are complications during the delivery or immediately after the birth sometimes the provider will want to have the placenta tested. Just know you have the right to ask them to remove the sample in front of you so you can keep the remainder of your placenta. It should be stored properly until results come back and then it can be decided how to move forward. If the placenta goes to pathology and it is deemed unsafe for consumption, then we you will be refunded your package price - $125 non-refundable deposit.
Q: What happens if I decide to not encapsulate my placenta after hiring you?
A: If you decide to not encapsulate before 36 weeks, I will refund you your package price minus the $150 non-refundable deposit. If you decide after your birth, there will not be a refund. If your placenta can not be encapsulated due to being sent to pathology, I will refund your package price minus the $125 non-refundable deposit.
Q: When is payment due?
A: Typically the deposit is due at contract signing and the remainder is due by 36 weeks unless another plan is discussed and agreed upon. If you have already given birth or go into labor before 36 weeks, full payment will be due prior to pickup.
A: The placenta will be rinsed, inspected, sliced thinly, dehydrated, ground up, and then put into capsules.
Q: How may capsules will I get?
A: Placentas come in all sizes. Most placentas, depending how they are prepared, yield 120-200+ capsules. When prepared with the Gentle TCM method, less capsules are filled due to the shrinking of the placenta caused by steaming. When prepared using the raw method, the yield is higher.
Q: How many capsules do I take?
A: We will do a pre-dosage call to discuss how you've been feeling, your energy levels, what milk production is like, and pain levels to see what dosage would best fit you. The majority of the capsules will be taken within the first 40 days postpartum and will slowly taper off. Some women choose to save about 6 capsules and take 2 per day when the normal menstrual cycle returns.
Q: What if I am already postpartum and have my frozen placenta. Can you still use it?
A: Yes! Just know that due to the crystallization of the stem cells in the freezer, it will be less potent than a fresh placenta.
Q: What if I am on the fence about encapsulation at the time of birth and have not secured an encapsulation specialist?
A: I do take last minute clients. As long as your placenta has been cared for properly, placed on ice or in a fridge or freezer within two hours of delivery, it can still be encapsulated. If you are still on the fence and have not yet made a decision it is always better to take your placenta home and place it in your freezer by day 3. Your placenta can be encapsulated for several months following birth if it was handled properly. Once the hospital removes the placenta from your room, you will not be able to get it back. If you are on the fence, I would love to chat with you and answer any questions that you might have.
Q: Can my placenta still be encapsulated if I have a medicated birth or c section?
A: The answer to both of these is Yes. Medications that are used in labor break down quickly so that there are no lasting affects to the placenta. Be sure that your birthing team knows that you are planning to take your placenta, especially in the case of a C section, so that appropriate care is taken to avoid contamination of the placenta and to have it put on ice following delivery.
Q: When is it unsafe to have your placenta encapsulated?
A: In the case of uterine infection during labor, your placenta will need to be sent to pathology and would be unsafe for encapsulation. Fever during labor signifies possible infection. Many care providers take a case by case approach a to fever in labor to determine if it’s from an infection or another cause such as medication. In the case of a fever, discuss with your care provider to ensure your placenta is safe for consumption. If your provider believes infection may be the cause and wishes to send to pathology for testing, you can request that they send a piece of the placenta and allow you to hold the remainder until the results are known. In this case I request a doctor's note saying it is safe. If results come back saying there is infection, you may choose to have a print created, bury your placenta, have a piece saved for a keepsake, or disposed. If infection is not the cause and the placenta has been kept on ice or in a refrigerator for no longer than three days it is still safe to continue with the encapsulation process at that time. If it will be longer than three days for results, the placenta should be put in the freezer to prevent spoilage.
For the safety of myself or other clients I cannot encapsulate a placenta if mom has HIV or Hep A, B, or C. Some believe it is still safe for the mother to consume her placenta even if she is positive for any of these because she is already carrying it and she could choose to do encapsulation on her own.
Q: Can I encapsulate my placenta if I test positive for Strep B, GBS?
A: Yes, you can still have your placenta encapsulated using Traditional Chinese Method of encapsulation because this method steams the placenta to 160 degrees before dehydrating. A tincture can also still be made for you using the powder after the placenta has been completely processed.
Q: Can I encapsulate if there is meconium present at birth?
A: Yes, when meconium is present at time of birth this does not affect the safety of the placenta. I will need to know that there was meconium so that I can do a pre-wash and soak of the placenta to remove excess bacteria before beginning the encapsulation process.
Q: Can I have a lotus birth and still encapsulate?
A: It is best for the placenta to be placed on ice within two hours of birth if encapsulation is desired. A partial lotus birth can still be attained and the cord can be separated by cutting or burning, depending on the wishes of the parents.
Q: My care provider says my placenta must go to pathology for testing. Can I still encapsulate?
A: If there are complications during the delivery or immediately after the birth sometimes the provider will want to have the placenta tested. Just know you have the right to ask them to remove the sample in front of you so you can keep the remainder of your placenta. It should be stored properly until results come back and then it can be decided how to move forward. If the placenta goes to pathology and it is deemed unsafe for consumption, then we you will be refunded your package price - $125 non-refundable deposit.
Q: What happens if I decide to not encapsulate my placenta after hiring you?
A: If you decide to not encapsulate before 36 weeks, I will refund you your package price minus the $150 non-refundable deposit. If you decide after your birth, there will not be a refund. If your placenta can not be encapsulated due to being sent to pathology, I will refund your package price minus the $125 non-refundable deposit.
Q: When is payment due?
A: Typically the deposit is due at contract signing and the remainder is due by 36 weeks unless another plan is discussed and agreed upon. If you have already given birth or go into labor before 36 weeks, full payment will be due prior to pickup.
What Mama's are saying about their Encapsulation journey:
‘I had a very informative and wonderful experience with my placenta consumption. Zoë made sure to answer any questions and concerns I had, she was very knowledgeable about the whole process and made it very easy. Her turnaround time was within 48 hours which was so helpful to be able to start dosing so soon. I struggled very hard with PPD after my first two births and I do believe that the capsules helped ease that transition after my third birth. my hormones seemed to level out Much faster and Stay balanced throughout my postpartum this time. I also healed a lot faster and my bleeding subsided rather quickly. (Stopped in about a week.) I had very bad cramping when I came home from the hospital and really started to slow down once I started taking my capsules. I was very wary at first about taking them because I thought it would taste terrible but it’s really not bad at all. You have a little bit of an after taste but nothing terrible. it was very well worth it for all the benefits I received from taking them. Overall I highly recommend this experience if it’s something you have been thinking about. Zoë also made a BEAUTIFUL wind chime with part of my placenta and print that will last forever to preserve this amazing experience.”
~Charley
“Zoe and I learned together on the journey of motherhood and pregnancy. She helped me learn by supporting me with things I would have never known and now can pass on. I didn’t know what I was getting into and how much it takes too make it through 9 months of intense hormones and struggling with sickness every day. Even though we couldn’t fix the problems, she supported me and helped me stay strong through the process. It was truly amazing to have a friend be there and help me advocate for myself, especially as a soft spoken person, and also educated me about the process and the things I did or didn’t want anything to do with during the delivery. She stayed through the whole Birth and even made me a beautiful video of the whole experience to look back on. She’s an amazing person and an awesome friend, and I’m so thankful to have been able to experience this magical journey with her.”
~Britt
“I can definitely feel the energy effect, it helps me during the day get things done around the house while baby boy sleeps. With my daughter, I went through postpartum depression and this time around I have not experienced any feelings of depression. I pretty much stopped bleeding and having pains after a week and a half. Which I was sooo happy about as with my daughter I bled for 4.5 weeks. I decided not to breastfeed for many reasons but one major fear was not being able to produce milk (this was my experience with my first). however, I started to leak after a week of taking my capsules and I was leaking for a while after that. I thought about switching to breastfeeding during this time but decided against it as I will be going back to work full-time. ~Mercedes
“Zoë at Emerald Heart Collective was such a joy to work with! Very professional and I got my capsule and my keepsake of the umbilical cord in a very timely matter. I knew once I had my daughter that I wanted to keep my placenta but didn’t really understand the benefits of doing so, but Zoë definitely explained the benefits to my personal understanding. After I had my daughter I was having troubles with getting my milk to come in, once I started taking my capsules boy oh boy did the milk come! Not only did it help with my supply it helped with my pain, discomfort and my energy. Now the energy isn’t like slamming two Redbulls but it’s definitely a little pick me up. I would highly recommend Emerald Heart Collective to anyone I know who is expecting and wants to keep their placenta. Thank you so much Zoë at Emerald Heart Collective!”
~Elcey
~Charley
“Zoe and I learned together on the journey of motherhood and pregnancy. She helped me learn by supporting me with things I would have never known and now can pass on. I didn’t know what I was getting into and how much it takes too make it through 9 months of intense hormones and struggling with sickness every day. Even though we couldn’t fix the problems, she supported me and helped me stay strong through the process. It was truly amazing to have a friend be there and help me advocate for myself, especially as a soft spoken person, and also educated me about the process and the things I did or didn’t want anything to do with during the delivery. She stayed through the whole Birth and even made me a beautiful video of the whole experience to look back on. She’s an amazing person and an awesome friend, and I’m so thankful to have been able to experience this magical journey with her.”
~Britt
“I can definitely feel the energy effect, it helps me during the day get things done around the house while baby boy sleeps. With my daughter, I went through postpartum depression and this time around I have not experienced any feelings of depression. I pretty much stopped bleeding and having pains after a week and a half. Which I was sooo happy about as with my daughter I bled for 4.5 weeks. I decided not to breastfeed for many reasons but one major fear was not being able to produce milk (this was my experience with my first). however, I started to leak after a week of taking my capsules and I was leaking for a while after that. I thought about switching to breastfeeding during this time but decided against it as I will be going back to work full-time. ~Mercedes
“Zoë at Emerald Heart Collective was such a joy to work with! Very professional and I got my capsule and my keepsake of the umbilical cord in a very timely matter. I knew once I had my daughter that I wanted to keep my placenta but didn’t really understand the benefits of doing so, but Zoë definitely explained the benefits to my personal understanding. After I had my daughter I was having troubles with getting my milk to come in, once I started taking my capsules boy oh boy did the milk come! Not only did it help with my supply it helped with my pain, discomfort and my energy. Now the energy isn’t like slamming two Redbulls but it’s definitely a little pick me up. I would highly recommend Emerald Heart Collective to anyone I know who is expecting and wants to keep their placenta. Thank you so much Zoë at Emerald Heart Collective!”
~Elcey
Summation
I am very passionate about the placenta's value to mama, baby, and others supporting the two through this giant shift! I believe this sacred medicine deserves to be appreciated and celebrated. If you are interested in placentophagy and/or preservation art, I would be honored in helping you achieve your goals. You can find more packaging details under the "Placenta Packages" tab or click the button below.
