Gentle Spirit Doula​
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​Placenta Encapsulation

Why Should You have Your Placenta Encapsulated? 

Your baby's placenta, contained in capsule form, is believed to:
  • contain your own natural hormones
  • be perfectly made for you

Mothers report the following:
  • balance of their system 
  • replenish depleted iron
  • increase in energy
  • decrease in postnatal bleeding
  • increase milk production
  • happier postpartum period
  • hasten return of uterus to pre-pregnancy state
  • helpful during menopause
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How Does it Work?

It takes two days and is done in your home or mine. I bring all the supplies necessary.
  • 1st Day: 4-6 hours
    • Clean the placenta
    • Steam the placenta
    • Cut up the placenta and put it into dehydrator (you don't have to worry about it)
    • Leave you with a clean/sanitized kitchen
  • 2nd Day: 3-5 hours
    • Grind up dehydrated placenta
    • Place placenta powder into pills
    • Leave you with a bottle of pills and a clean/sanitized kitchen

What Does it Cost?

  • Total cost: $250
  • $85 deposit (non-refundable). This puts you on my calendar and pays for the supplies necessary.
  • A fee of $165 is due once your pills are delivered.
  • Doula clients receive a $25 discount.
  • An additional fee of $5 will be charged if you have twins (for the 2nd placenta).
  • If you live more than 20 miles from me, a gas fee will be added. I charge a gas fee instead of a mileage fee because it is less expensive for the client (mileage reimbursement is $0.54 per mile).
Add-Ons:
  • You can add on a placenta print - $10 (pictures below)
  • You can add on a Placenta Tincture: $35 A placenta tincture is made with grain alcohol and should be diluted. It is great to add to tea or a glass of water.
  • You can add on “Mothers Broth”: $20 Mother’s broth is great to add to tea or smoothies. You can also put into ice cube trays and freeze. It is the water left over after steaming the placenta. There is a lemon, ginger and jalapeño used in the water during steaming. These are taken out before the birth is packaged.
  • If you would like to add on a placenta print, placenta tincture and mother’s broth: $50
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Placenta Print
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Twin Placenta Print
FAQ

Why use a Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialists?

  • Follow strict OSHA guidelines
  • Trained in Food Safety Handling
  • Trained in Blood Borne Pathogens (yearly)
  • Certified in the steamed and dehydrated method of placenta encapsulation
  • Experienced professional
  • Answer your questions
  • Give full postpartum support

If I have a medicated birth or caesarean section can I still use my placenta for encapsulation and/or other placenta remedies?

Yes, you can still use your placenta if you have a caesarean birth as long as your placenta has not been sent to pathology. If you are on any other type of medication during your pregnancy I ask you to seek advice from your consultant before deciding on placenta encapsulation.

What if I am Strep-B positive or have a uterine or placental infection and need antibiotics, will I still be able to use my placenta?

Strep-B, GBS infection is not cause to throw away your placenta. You can still encapsulate. If you have tested positive or are suspected of having a uterine or placental infection, I advise you to not consume your placenta.

What if I give birth prematurely?

Premature births are often associated with problems in pregnancy. As long as your placenta is examined and cleared from any type of abnormality after birth your placenta is suitable for consumption.

How many capsules will my placenta provide?

Normal size placentas usually provide 80-120 capsules. Sometimes placentas are small and provide 60+ and sometimes they are large and provide over 140. The most capsules from a single placenta, I have seen, is 185.

I want to donate my baby’s cord blood. Will I still be able to have my placenta made into capsules?

Yes, you can do both. We advise parents to ensure their midwife or doctor knows you are planning on both consuming your placenta and banking cord blood. The placenta should be put into a separate container from the umbilical cord.

Are there any circumstances when it would not be possible to use the placenta for encapsulation?

Yes, if your placenta has been sent to pathology in hospital for any reason we do not recommend you consume your placenta because it may have been contaminated while in the pathology department.

If you have HIV or Hep A, B or C, you cannot encapsulate your placenta, for the safety of you and others.

I also do not recommend using your placenta for encapsulation if your placenta has not been stored properly after birth. It needs to be refrigerated after birth.

How do I store my placenta safely after birth?

Your placenta should be put into a clean and sterile container (bin or two gallon ziplock bags) within 1-2 hours after birth and stored in a refrigerator or in a hard sided cooler with fresh ice (ice needs to be replaced when starting to melt, otherwise temperatures can rise). Some hospitals provide the container and have a fridge to store the placenta until you go home. Some hospitals do not provide a container or have a fridge. Make sure you check with the hospital you will use to see what their procedures are surrounding placenta release. When you go home you need to put the placenta on ice in a cooler for the ride home, and then into your refrigerator.

​I’ve heard the placenta is full of waste and may contain toxins, is this true?

Your placenta acts as a life supply for your baby during pregnancy and if it were full of toxins this would make a very dangerous organ for your baby to be fed from, therefore it is not possible for the placenta to be ‘full of waste’. The placenta acted as a gateway for nutrient supply to your baby and waste from your baby to be passed back to your body to be filtered through your organs. There are small amounts of heavy metals in the placenta however it is scientifically proven that these levels are no grater than normal levels of heavy metals found in the body and in mothers colostrum and breast milk. Source 1 Source 2

How long can I store my placenta in the fridge or freezer for before using it?

I always advise mothers to make use of their placenta sooner rather than later. However if circumstances arise where this preparation cannot take place within 24-48 hours after birth, placentas are only safe to be stored in the fridge for up to 24-48 hours and must then be transferred to the home freezer. Placentas should be encapsulated within 6 months of being in the freezer. The placenta should be thawed thoroughly in the fridge only for 24-36 hours before encapsulating or making any other remedy.

As soon as I have given birth can I keep my placenta and decide to have it encapsulated later?

Yes, of course, however nature has intended for your placenta to be consumed as soon as possible after birth, so I believe ‘the sooner the better’. I advise you read the storage guidelines above. Keep your placenta below 8 degrees C after birth using ice packs and cooler bag for no longer than 12 hours and transfer the placenta to a safe refrigerator as soon as possible. You can also store your placenta in the freezer for up to 6 months and still benefit from remedies.

Can I still get my placenta encapsulated if there is meconium present in my water?

Yes. Meconium is sterile, it does not contain fecal bacteria that normal stool does. Meconium is dangerous for the infant to inhale, but is otherwise harmless. Additionally, your placenta is thoroughly washed before encapsulation preparation.
​
Where do I store my placenta pills?

In a cabinet or freezer.

If I have twins, can I get both placentas encapsulated?

Yes! I am happy to encapsulate both. I only ask for $5 extra for the second placenta - just to cover the cost of the pills. It also adds about 1 hour to each day.
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Pills, dosage directions and umbilical cord keepsake 
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An umbilical cord keepsake - dehydrated with placenta 
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Placenta Print - color added via PicsArt App. No coloring was placed on the actual placenta.
****This service has not been evaluated by the FDA. Gentle Spirit Doula (Rachel Brown) makes no medical treatment claims, Services provided are not clinical, pharmaceutical, or intended to diagnose, treat or cure any condition. Families who choose to utilize these services take full responsibility for their own health and product usage.****
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© COPYRIGHT 2020. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. - Gentle Spirit Doula
  • Home
  • About Rachel
  • Why Hire a Doula?
  • My Doula Services
  • Childbirth Education Classes
  • Prenatal Coaching
  • Placenta Encapsulation
  • Kind Words
  • Placenta Encapsulation - What Clients are Saying
  • Birth Preferences
  • Contact Me
  • Feeding Your Baby
  • Resources
  • Video Resources
  • Doula Blog