What is placenta encapsulation? 

It sounds crazy, but our bodies do amazing things and think about how in nature mammals consume their placenta. Placenta encapsulation put simply is the act of gently cleaning the placenta, cutting and dehydrating it until crisp, then grinding it into power and putting it into capsules. The theory is that the hormones and vitamins found in the placenta help moms heal and cope better after pregnancy when hormones get thrown out of balance and there is the stress of healing and taking care of a newborn. Tinctures and salves can also be made with the placenta.  

Some things the placenta can help with postpartum: 

·      Preventing and lessening the risk of postpartum depression or ‘baby blues’ 
·      Replenishing your iron from blood loss during birth and to prevent post birth anemia 
·      Lending you a consistent flow of oxytocin (happy hormone) leaving you feeling good and happy
·      Providing the HPL hormone to help establish early and healthy milk supply 
·      Stabilize hormones post birth 
·      To replenish your B vitamins and energy that were used during the labor and birthing process 
·      Reduce bleeding and aid in the recovery process  
·      Offer natural pain relief from the labor and birth of the baby

Hormones Known to be in the Placenta:
Oxytocin­ The feel good or love hormone. Creates feelings of bonding, pain relief, happiness and elation. 
Cortisone­ This hormone unlocks energy stored in the body and combats stress. (cortisol) 
Interferon­ This hormones stimulates the immune system to fight off infections while the mother is healing from birth.
Prostaglandins­ Acts as an anti-inflammatory. 
Hemoglobin­ Replenishes iron, stimulates iron production in blood. 
Urokinase inhibiting factor and factor XIII­ Lessens bleeding and promotes faster healing. 
Prolactin/HPL­ Stimulates healthy mammary function and milk production.

Research Documents

About Your Encapsulation Specialist

April was trained through Full Circle Placenta Encapsulation (now IPPA). She has certification in OSHA's Blood borne Pathogen and Infection Control as well as a California State Food Handlers License. Unlike many encapsulators, she encapsulates in her private office. This allows her to avoid any potential contamination and uphold the highest standards of cleanliness. 

Placenta Encapsulation FAQ

Will the hospital release the placenta to me? 
We suggest once you have decided that you want to encapsulate your placenta, that you discuss the process with your care provider. This is something you would want to indicate in your birth plan and typically you will have to sign a waiver when you check in to the hospital in order for them to release it to you. Every hospital has slightly different protocol, so make sure to check with your care provider so that you know what to expect.
 
What is proper placenta care & handling for encapsulation? 
We suggest that you take two large freezer bags with you along with a small ice chest. We suggest a small, disposable, styrofoam ice chest (we have them available for purchase if needed) Otherwise a small, hard plastic leak proof ice chest will also work. After the baby is born, the placenta should be packaged and placed on ice in the ice chest within an hour after birth.
 
The placenta can be kept on ice for up to 6 hours (refreshing ice every 2-3 hours); it is recommended that it be transferred to a refrigerator as soon as possible.
 
We suggest that you place a relative, close friend or your doula in charge of handling the placenta for you. They can also contact us to discuss pick up.
 
When do I contact you? 
We request that you contact us when you are in labor, and/or have been admitted to the birthing location. Text is typically the best way to reach us. And then again once the baby has arrived, so we can arrange pick up.
 
We make every attempt to pick up the placenta as quickly as possible, but depending on the time and day there may be up to a 12-hour delay. In the meantime, it is your responsibility to ensure that the placenta is stored properly. Typically, we pick up within a few hours after the birth; for liability reasons we ask that your partner, friend or doula meet us outside the hospital for pick up.
 
When do I get my capsules back? 
We make every attempt to get your capsules to you as quickly as possible post-birth. The dehydration processes itself takes approximately 24 hours. Once the capsules are done and ready for drop off we will contact you to make arrangements.
 
 
What if I am induced/have a medicated birth or have a cesarean section, can I still encapsulate? Yes.
 
I am taking medication, can I still encapsulate? There are many medications that expectant mothers take that will not effect encapsulation, however, it is required that you discuss any medication that you are taking with your specialist and your primary care provider.
 
Why do you request to see a copy of my blood work? This is done to ensure the safety of all of our clients. We need to simply see a copy of your blood work, specifically the STD and HEP sections. We do not keep this information on file.
 
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?If you are Strep-B positive you can still encapsulate your placenta, we recommend the Basic Heated TMC method. If you have an infection during birth and you or baby needs antibiotics, it is not recommended that you encapsulate your placenta.
 
What if I am opting for cord blood banking, can I still encapsulate? YES! Please note they may take the cord, so a cord keepsake would not be an option.
 
What if I am opting for delayed cord clamping, can I still encapsulate? YES!
 
What if they want to take my placenta to pathology? Your placenta should never leave your sight, if your placenta goes to pathology it will be contaminated with chemicals and you will not be able to encapsulate. You can opt out of the placenta being taken to pathology or you can request that they take just a piece of the placenta to pathology and leave you the rest.
 
What if I am vegetarian or vegan? 
Not a problem. We have vegetarian capsules that do not contain animal gelatin.
 
Are herbs included in the finished capsules?
No. Your capsules are 100% your placenta. It is recommended that if a mother needs or desires herbal supplementation that it is done separately, by a trained professional, so that dosages can be maintained.
 
How many capsules will I get? The amount of capsules you receive will vary based on the services and methods that you select and based on the size of your placenta. Generally you will receive between 50-175 capsules.
 
Are there any circumstances when it would not be possible to use the placenta for encapsulation or other placenta remedies?If your placenta is taken to pathology or if you have a uterine or placental infection we will not be able to encapsulate.
 
Will I experience any side effects when taking my placenta capsules?
We cannot guarantee results with placenta capsules or any other placenta remedy.  Because your placenta is made by you the quality and potency of your capsules is unique to your own placenta.  How you react to your placenta will vary. We highly recommend you follow the care instructions provided.  Storing your placenta capsules properly and avoiding taking capsules when ill or with fever, will reduce your chances of experiencing any side effect.  Potential side effects could range from emotional symptoms, stress or anxiety, mild headaches or nausea. These are very rare occurrences, and at this time no negative side effects have been reported from any of my clients, but there is always a possibility.
 
I would like to proceed with encapsulation, what do I do next? Email us with your planned location for birth, estimated due date and city in which you reside. If we are available in your time frame we will send you a link to our clients page to review documents and fill out forms. We require a $50 deposit in order to reserve your due date on our calendar, an invoice will be sent to you. The remaining balance due is collected at the time the capsules are dropped off to you.