FAQ
How does encapsulation work?
Once you book Placenta Encapsulation with me, I am officially on call for your birth 24/7 including all holidays.
I ask that you contact me once you are officially admitted to the hospital/birth center or your midwife is heading to you. I will pick up your placenta within a few hours of birth or ask that your doula or support person bring it home with them so I may meet them. The placenta needs to be placed on ice or in a refrigerator within 2 hours of birth. There are some hospitals in CT that do not allow the placenta to be released until you are discharged, in that case I will meet you at your home or make plans for pick up. Please talk to your care provider so they are aware you are planning to encapsulate and they can inform you of all procedures and policies.
Will my hospital release my placenta?
What is the difference between raw & steamed preperation?
The non-steamed or raw method skips the steaming process and goes right to slicing and dehydrating. You often will experience more potent capsules as well as receiving a higher quantity of capsules. The steamed method involves lightly steaming the placenta. This method does provide a more gentle dose than with the Non-Steamed method, and often less capsules. It also infuses the placenta with heat. In many cultures new mothers are told to only consume food and drinks that bring warmth to the body to expedite healing.
What is a Placenta Tincture?
What if they take my placenta to pathology?
In the rare case that your physician feels that your placenta needs to go to pathology you can ask that they examine the placenta in the room, or only take a small piece for testing. If for any reason your placenta goes to pathology it will no longer be able to be encapsulated.
More Questions?
The hospitals all have policies that allow for a person to take their healthy placenta home with her for any reason (cultural, religious, nutrition, etc.) However, some hospitals are much more placenta friendly than others. The way to ensure the best placenta release outcome is to be prepared if necessary to continue to request the release of your placenta. Some hospitals may try to convince you not to keep your placenta, or tell you that it needs to be tested in pathology (because they know you cannot keep it once it is sent to pathology). You can simply deny any testing they suggest to the placenta if you wish, and continue to ask for the release of your placenta. It’s also a good idea to not let it out of your sight, and to have your spouse or family member take possession of it immediately after birth to avoid this issue. We have encapsulated placentas from all of our area hospitals, so if you have specific questions/concerns regarding your particular hospital for delivery please contact us and we can discuss. They may require you to sign a standard release form to have it released into your possession.
You should tell your doctor or midwife ahead of time that you plan to take your placenta home, and write it in your birth plan. This way if there is an issue, you can deal with it before you are in labor. I also recommend that you mention your intentions again upon admission and then again once the placenta is birthed. Be friendly and cooperative when discussing your intentions to take home your placenta. You are not required to share with your care team what you intend to do with the placenta if you don't wish, just that you would like to have it after your baby is born & that it is not to be treated with any chemicals.
In addition to your placenta capsules you will also recieve a placenta tincture. Your tincture is truly an added bonus! Placenta tinctures can be used in addition to and long after your capsules are gone, during times of trauma, transition, or emotional distress, postpartum anxiety, premenstrual symptoms, and more. Your placenta tincture is made by tincturing a small amount of the placenta in a high grade, 100 proof alcohol and will be ready for use when your baby is six weeks old. It is recommended to allow the placenta to steep for at least six weeks before use but for maximum benefit we recommend letting it steep for a full 6 months. Shaking it periodically will help it steep thoroughly. The tincture is very shelf-stable if kept sealed and in a cool dark place, such as a cupboard, and will last for many years. It does not need to be refrigerated. If you are interested in having enough placenta tincture to last your lifetime you may add 100 proof high grade alcohol (vodka) to the bottle as the tincture is used, never allowing it to get below 1/2 full, though this may eventually reduce the potency if done too many times. Tincture may be taken by placing it in a small glass of water or juice. Do not take directly on the tongue. Dosage is included on the bottle label, but 7-10 drops is the normal recommended amount to take and may be taken a few times a day if needed. You can fill dropper from the top, to only get steeped liquid. Though many practitioners may mention your tincture being able to be used for your baby as well, it is important to acknowledge that children have a delicate balance of hormones, and your tincture may disrupt this balance. Unless under the care and advice of a licensed medical/naturopathic/homeopathic practitioner it is our recommendation that placenta remedies (including tinctures) should only be used by the mother they were made for.
I am happy to answer any and all questions you may have about your encapsulation process! Please email or text me any questions or concerns you may have and I will try my best to keep this page as updated as possible.