What is Placenta Encapsulation?

Placenta encapsulation is the practice of processing the placenta into capsules so that it can be ingested. The placenta is steamed (raw processing also exists), dehydrated, ground, and placed into pills.

Why…

There are many nutrients, vitamins, and hormones found in the placenta that support healing. Traditionally, the placenta would be taken by the mother and is believed to hold healing properties that aid in recovery.

There is little scientific research on the benefits of placenta encapsulation. The American Pregnancy Association states that among the possible benefits of ingesting the placenta by the mother after birth include:

• Increased release of the hormone oxytocin, which helps the uterus return to normal size and encourages bonding with the infant

• Increase in CRH, a stress-reducing hormone

• A decrease in postpartum depression levels

• Restoration of iron levels in the blood

• Increase in milk production

How…

The process I use to encapsulate the placenta includes steaming the placenta with warming herbs like hot peppers, lemon, & ginger. These foods are blood warming and help increase circulation. They are steamed with the placenta and then removed.

After steaming, the placenta is dehydrated and ground into a fine powder. The powder is then placed into vegan capsules and delivered to you by day 4 postpartum.

I would come pick up the placenta from your place of birth, whether it be your home, a birth center, or hospital. All equipment with contact services are exclusively used for placenta encapsulation and I sanitize with an industrial grade peroxide sanitizer (SaniDate) before beginning. I wear gloves throughout the entire process.

If you have any questions on my methods, please reach out! Click below to inquire more and to book my placenta encapsulation services.

Encapsulation Investment: $425

Includes:

• Picking up your placenta within 48 hours of birth

• Processing the placenta using the steaming Traditional Chinese Medicine practice

• Dehydrating & encapsulating

• Returning the finished capsules to your house within 4 days of receipt

• Bonus Gift for Mama: Sea Salt Cacao Date Balls

Offering services to families in Lincoln, Beatrice, and southeast Nebraska.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do your services work?

Once you have booked and paid for service, I am officially on call for your birth and in most cases will be available to pick up your placenta between the hours of 9:30am and 6pm, including some holidays. The placenta can be stored on ice until I’m able to pick up. If possible, notify me when labor begins and after the birth of your baby, give me a call or text to schedule a pick-up. Once I pick up your placenta, I start processing right away to ensure I can return your placenta within 4 days of birth.

When should I book your services?

Most of my families book me during their third trimester, but the earlier the better so I can get you on my schedule! I only accept one to two bookings a month. Services are not reserved until payment is received.

You use the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) method for encapsulation. What is the difference between the TCM steaming method and the non-steamed/raw method?

In the steaming method for placenta encapsulation, the placenta is lightly steamed with healing herbs such as lemon, ginger, and hot peppers before it is dehydrated and encapsulated. The non-steamed method (also called the raw method) skips the steaming process and starts right at slicing and dehydrating (so the placenta is raw before dehydrating). A person will receive more pills using the raw method, but some women report that the capsules made with raw placenta can cause digestive issues. The method I use, the TCM steaming method is more gentle than raw methods and infuses the placenta with warmth and aids in the capsules digestibility. In TCM, the placenta is used to restore warmth and re-balance after labor. Both methods of encapsulation will benefit the new mother.

Why are your placenta encapsulation services more than others?

One reason my placenta encapsulation services may be more expensive than others is because I use the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) steaming method. The steaming process requires careful preparation and more time compared to simply cutting up the raw placenta. The extra step of gently steaming the placenta adds a layer of food safety and boosts the quality of the final product. Additionally, I’m on call to pick up the placenta promptly after birth, providing personalized care and attention to your needs. Every step of the way, I’m dedicated to honoring your healing journey with the utmost care and expertise.

Can I still encapsulate if I have a c-section or medication during labor?

You absolutely can! Let your nurse know that you want to keep the placenta so it doesn’t go to pathology and ask that they package it up for you. For medicated births, if it is safe to use during pregnancy, then it is safe for placenta encapsulation.

What do I need to take with me to the hospital to be prepared to keep the placenta?

1. A medium-sized hard sided cooler or a styrofoam cooler with you to the hospital to store the placenta with ice until I am able to pick it up. If you don’t have a cooler, take two or three medium sized trash bags. You want the container to be able to hold the size of a large ice cream tub. The Igloo Play cooler or the Igloo Ice Cube cooler seem to work well, but you do not need to buy anything special. If the container that the nurse puts the placenta in does not fit in your cooler, simply ask the nurse to double bag it for you instead. I will bring a cooler to transfer the placenta into at pick up.

2. Two 1-gallon size zip-block bags for ice and/or the placenta. Each hospital packages the placenta differently. Some will place in a round plastic container with a lid. Others will put it in just a plastic bag.

What is proper handling of the placenta after birth?

The placenta should be placed into a bag or container and placed in a refrigerator or put on ice within two to three hours after birth. Properly store the placenta in a cool environment as soon as possible. It is important to do this as early as possible because hospital staff are very busy and may accidentally discard your placenta. Don’t forget to take a cooler with you to the hospital! If you have a birth doula supporting your labor, they are a tremendous help in ensuring the placenta is properly handled. I recommend that either your spouse/partner, birthing partner, family member, or doula is set to be “in charge” of the placenta to ensure it is properly stored and not lost. If you hired a birth doula to support your labor, they are incredible help for this! I can communicate directly with your doula or spouse to ensure they feel confident properly storing the placenta.

Will the hospital release my placenta to me?

The hospital has policies in place that allow a mom to take home her healthy placenta home for any reason such as religious, cultural, or nutritional. Some hospitals are more placenta friendly than others. In my experience, both Lincoln hospitals are placenta friendly. You may be asked to sign a release form for the hospital to release your placenta to you - this is just a standard document issued by the hospital. Having a doula or being well-prepared will also ensures fewer complications in releasing the placenta. Communicate with everyone you talk with that you plan to take your placenta home! This includes your healthcare provider and nurse. Remind everyone after the placenta is birthed that you will be taking it home. If your placenta looks healthy, it does not need to go to pathology. If your placenta is sent to pathology, you will not be able to take it home with you.

When do you begin encapsulation?

I start as soon as possible, but always within 72 hours of birth. Your spouse, partner, midwife/doctor, or doula can call me to let me know the placenta is ready. Some hospitals require that the placenta is removed from the hospital within several hours of birth. If you birth outside of my pick up hours (9:30am - 6pm), then have a family member or friend take it and place in your refrigerator at home and we will schedule a pick up as soon as possible during business hours.

How/when will I receive finished capsules and how many will I receive?

It typically takes between 48 to 72 hours from when I pick up the placenta until I am able to deliver finished capsules to your home. Placentas can range between 1 and 4 lbs in weight. The size of the placenta will determine how many capsules you receive back. Since I use the TCM steaming method to process the placenta, you will receive fewer than the raw method of encapsulation. You should expect to receive between 75 and 125 capsules. I use size 00 for capsules.

Disclaimer: The information provided by Deep Roots Doula Care regarding placenta encapsulation is for educational purposes only. Deep Roots Doula Care is not a medical body and does not claim to treat, cure or relieve any symptoms in pregnancy, birth or post-birth and advises all woman to research these remedies in depth before attempting to make or use these remedies after birth. Deep Roots Doula Care always advises you seek advice from your doctor or midwife if you have any problems with your pregnancy, birth or post-birth recovery.