Your placenta has nourished your baby for 9 months.  It is time to allow it to nourish you.  The practice of placental encapsulation has been practiced in Chinese medicine for centuries.  While medical research on the ingesting of the placenta is minimal, the testimonies and postpartum hormone research logically supports it (Also we are the only mammals who do not consume the placenta after birth.  Perhaps the rest of the animal kingdom has it right?).  Placenta Bakery has some intriguing information on the hormonal aspect as well as a little clinical research.


Did you know 80% of women report "baby blues" postpartum?  Postpartum depression affects 10-15% of women. However, ALL women experience menopause symptoms.    


Your placenta is nutrient rich, full of your perfectly-crafted-for-you hormones, and can be kept in the freezer for many years; therefore perfect for:

     ~replenishing your depleted system to give you more energy (at any time in your life)
     ~enhancing your milk supply
     ~preventing "baby blues" and postpartum depression
     ~balancing out your hormones
     ~shortening postpartum bleeding
     ~easing menopause transition
     ~strengthening your bond with baby

This area of childbirth can be a squeamish, question filled subject.  If you are at all curious about this services for your birth, we would be excited to talk and answer any questions.  Also, we can help you pick which package will suit your goals and needs.
Packages:
We will pick up your placenta(s) from the birth center, hospital, or your home and drop off the finished product to you. (see below for service area)    

Just Encapsulation Please($150):
   ~the remaining candle that was burned during the handling of your placenta
   ~umbilical cord keepsake
   ~suggested dosage and storage information
   ~'Waiver of Liability' form for hospital if needed
   ~placenta capsules in a glass jar

**My Placenta is Beautiful!($200):**
   ~all of the 'Just Encapsulation Please' package
   ~mother essence tincture in a 9oz glass jar
   ~placenta prints

The Mother Load($250):
   ~all of the above packages (minus mother essence tincture)
   ~a quart of placenta tincture with a starter tincture in a glass dropper bottle

**Our most popular package**
*Discounts apply to families who have already retained my services. 

My Process
We begin by lighting a candle to clear our mind so we can focus positive energy and prayers to the mama and her baby.  We then use either the Traditional Chinese Medicine or Raw Food method, whichever you determine best for your situation.  When we are finished, all surfaces and utensils are properly sterilized.      

Traditional Chinese Medicine Method   
The placenta is lightly steamed with herbs, dried, crushed into powder, and then encapsulated.

Raw food method   
The placenta is dried, crushed into powered and encapsulated forgoing the steaming process.  Avoiding the steaming process, the hormones are the freshest possible without directly eating the placenta.  This can enhance the hormonal benefits and women report higher energy levels.

Before Your Birth
Contact us so we know your due date and can be prepared.  Also, we need get some general information (your address, place of birth, etc.)  Your investment for this service is due at the time of processing.  We do not require a deposit for this service.  However, if we become busy and don't have your due date booked, we may not be able to process your placenta. 

You will want to let your care provider know your intention of taking home the placenta.  If you are asked why, the easiest way is to let the staff know it is for religious purposes.  Some hospitals have a policy of keeping the placenta up to 15 days.  If your care provider is unsure about hospital policy, call the maternity floor to find out their protocol.  If the hospital will not immediately release the placenta to you, make sure the hospital staff freezes it as soon as possible as well as notes on the packaging not to use any chemicals (such as formaldehyde) on it.  If they need to preform an pathology tests, ask if they can use a small piece and leave the rest for you.  Make sure you read through your hospital preregistration and admission paperwork.  There may be something asking you to agree to discarding the afterbirth.  Please let us know if you are having any difficulty or questions with the hospital releasing it.  

Think about what container you want/need to provide post birth to transport your placenta home.  Also, have a cooler with ice or ice packs to keep it chilled during the travel home.  Make sure to go over the place of birth's protocol as well as your wishes with the person who will be transporting the placenta home.  If one of us is attending your birth, we will take it home.  

Delayed Cord Clamping
We highly recommend delayed umbilical cord clamping (unless it is an emergency situation).  Most doctors and some midwives clamp the cord immediately after birth out of habit.  Allowing the cord to stop pulsing before cutting it significantly increases your baby's blood volume as well as giving them all of those healthy stem cells.  Early cord clamping can rob your baby of up half of its blood volume. The placenta is also naturally drained of all of the baby's blood (which makes placenta encapsulation easier for us).  If you choose this, make sure your support team understands the importance.  During the birthing process, in the excitement, it can be a challenge to remember making sure your care provider does (or shall I say doesn't) do this for you. 


                                                                *Please contact me within 24 hours of giving birth*