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.
