Placenta Services
Everything You Need to Know
Thank you for considering me to honor your placenta. Please use this page to educate your self more about Placentophagy, Placenta Encapuslation, Lotus Birth and all the other wonderful ways to pay your respect to this sacred organ!
​
I currently offer three (3) placenta packages:
​
Full Placenta Package - Placenta Encapsulation, Placenta Tincture, Placenta Essence, Placenta Salve, Placenta Prints, and Umbilical Cord Keepsake.
​
Half Placenta Package - Placenta Prints, Cord Keepsake, Placenta Burial Pot (for those who do not want to or cannot consume their placenta.)
​
Lotus Birth - Placenta Packing Herbs, bag, and care guide​
​
***Placenta pills are made with size 00 vegan capsules. You can choose between purple carrot or clear.
​
You must request a Placenta Services Consultation with me prior to receiving services.
​
WARNING*** You cannot have your placenta capsulated for consumption if you have a blood-borne virus such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or HIV. You can have capsules made from your placenta if you are given medicine or anesthetics during the birth of your baby, including a Syntometrine injection. If you are taking any prescription medicines other than those used during pregnancy please seek the advice of your doctor before having capsules made from your placenta!
FULL PLACENTA PACK
Placenta Pills, Placenta Tincture, Placenta Salve, Placenta Prints, Placenta Essence (for baby), Umbilical Cord Keepsake and Placenta Care guide.
HALF PLACENTA PACK
Placenta Prints, Cordkeepsake, Placenta Burial Pot,
and Placenta care guide.
LOTUS BIRTH PACK
Placenta Packing herbs, Lotus Birth bag, Placenta Burial pot, and care guide.
About my process
I only use the Traditional Chinese Method in my placenta processing work.
I use ancestral training and knowledge for my Lotus Births.
​
In Chinese medicine the process of labour and birth is believed to leave open, empty space within the body that is considered to be very yin, or cold.
The Chinese believe that after birth, the mother needs to be kept warm and should only eat warm foods and drink warm drinks. A way to promote healing during the postpartum period is to add yang, which is warmth. This effect is produced in placenta encapsulation by the use of steam and warming herbs, creating warming and nourishing capsules.
​
Mothers who have taken TCM capsules have reported a more balanced, healing and warming feeling and noticed a gradual increase in energy. They can be stored for up to six months!
Frequently Asked Questions
​
What can you do with your placenta after birth?
​
SO MANY THINGS! Your placenta can be processed and 'encapsulated', meaning it can be turned in to capsules for you to take in the weeks or months after birth. We can also make some other amazing remedies, such as a tincture, an essence, creams for both mother and baby, balms and homeopathic remedies.
​
What is Placenta Encapsulation?
​
Placenta Encapsulation is the process of turning raw placenta into safe, consumable capsules, similar to herbal supplements. Placenta goes through a verified set of processes in a sanitized and controlled setting, over a number of hours. I use the Traditional Chinese Method (TCM) process which dehydrates the placenta at certain temperatures, ground in to fine powder, then manually filled into vegan capsules.
​
How long does the process take?
​
The process takes between 24-48 hours, depending on the services you choose.
​
How do I keep my placenta after giving birth?
​
If I am not collection your placenta at the time of birth, you can keep it yourself depending on your place of birth. Ensure that your midwife, birthing team and family are aware that you wish to keep your placenta and note this in your birth plan. Discuss your plan to keep your placenta with your midwife during your antenatal appointments. In most cases, unless you are birthing at home, you will need to complete a release form prior to or quickly after giving birth.
​
How do I store my placenta?
​
Your placenta should be double bagged into zip-lock bags and placed into a clean, sterile, leak-proof container as quickly as possible, but definitely within 30 minutes of its birth. This container should then go in to the cooler or cooler bag for no longer than 6 hours. After 6 hours your birth partner, doula or family member should take the placenta home for refrigeration.
​
Your placenta needs to be kept cool to ensure it remains safe to consume. Your placenta should be stored in a refrigerator below 8°C after the cord is cut, however no hospitals and only some birth centers will allow you to use their fridge/freezer. This is why it is important to be prepared with either a cooler bag or cooler Talk to your midwife/OB and add a note to your birth plan to ensure staff know you are keeping your placenta. Further instructions for storing will be provided after booking.
How do I get my placenta to you after I have given birth?
​
I can collect your placenta from your home or the hospital. When you book, I will ask for your due date and contact you before this date to make sure you are prepared. When you go into established labour you should text us, with another text once you have given birth. You (or a family member) can then liaise with us over collection of your placenta depending on what level of collection you have chosen.
​
Are there any reasons the hospital may not allow me to keep my placenta?
​
This can happen most commonly in the hospital setting. The most usual reason is that your hospital, doctor or midwife are not aware that you want it to keep your placenta. Clear communication is therefore essential! But this can also if you had placenta issue during pregnancy, were carrying multiples, or experience a stillbirth in your last pregnancy. You can still keep it, but you will need to be firm about it! However, if there are significant abnormalities of the placenta your healthcare team may send your placenta for further examination. Other conditions, such as signs of infection during labour, may mean that consuming your placenta is not advisable. If you placenta is sent to pathology, encapsulation is not recommended.
What is the dosage for taking placenta pills and tincture?
Most women consume 1-2 capsules three (3) times a day during the first couple of weeks postpartum or until they feel their hormones have returned to normal. You can take 1-2 capsules whenever you feel you may need a little more energy or to boost your milk supply when breastfeeding. Placenta capsules can be taken as needed and there is no single correct dose. You may adjust your dose as you feel right. Listen to your body – it will tell you what it needs!
​
The suggested dosage is 3-7 drops of placenta tincture into a an 16oz glass of water/liquid for the birthing person to drink after the placenta capsules are gone. The suggested dosage of 1-3 drops can be given to a child as needed. It is important to remember a tincture is extremely potent, 1 drop can equal 1 capsule.
​
How many pills will my placenta make?
​
Placentas vary in size so the number of capsules also varies! The number of capsules made Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) placenta capsules the averages is slightly less than other methods, but can be anywhere from 40-140 capsules.
​
How long will my capsules and tincture last?
​
It is very important that TCM placenta capsules are consumed in 6 months. I strongly advise clients to wash their hands before handling their placenta capsules and avoid leaving the jar open.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) capsules can be stored in a cool dry dark cupboard, but not the fridge, for up to 6 months.
​
The shelf of the placenta tincture is endless if stored properly!
​
How do I store my placenta capsules?
​
Placenta capsules can be stored in a cool dry dark cupboard, but not the fridge, for up to 6 months. We strongly advise clients to wash their hands before handling their placenta capsules and avoid leaving the jar open.
​
When should I not take placenta capsules?
​
It is not advised to take your TCM capsules if you have an infection, common cold, flu, fever or an infection such as mastitis. Only once your symptoms have subsided should you start taking your placenta capsules again. We advise you to order Placenta Tincture to complement TCM capsules.
Do not take placenta capsules while you are pregnant because of their hormone levels.
​
If you do experience any side effects stop taking the remedies immediately and inform us and seek medical advice.
Are there any situations that would make it unsafe for me to consume my placenta?
There are a few situations where we would not be able to process your placenta. These are:
​
-
If the placenta is sent to pathology
-
If there is a uterine infection
-
If the placenta is improperly stored
-
If the mother smoked tobacco products during pregnancy
​
Please let us know if you have any specific questions. If you are on medication during your pregnancy we ask you to seek advice from your consultant before deciding on placenta encapsulation.
​
Can I encapsulate if I’m induced, have a Caesarean section or a medicated birth?
​
Encapsulation is still possible if you give birth with an epidural or if you have a Caesarean section. The placenta acts as a filter, filtering out toxins and sending them back to the mother’s liver to be detoxed from the system. If you are on medication during your pregnancy I ask you to seek advice from your consultant before deciding on placenta encapsulation.
​
Can I use my placenta if I have a water birth?
​
Yes, but it is important that the placenta is delivered onto a clean surface (such as a chuck pad or towel) and NOT into the birthing pool.
​
Unfortunately the temperature and condition of the water makes it the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
Chances are once baby is born you will want to be out of the water for proper skin on skin.
​
Your birthing team will also encourage you to step out of the water shortly after birth. It is very difficult to gauge potential blood loss while you're still in the water.
​
What happens if my placenta is stained with meconium?
​
If meconium is present, you can still encapsulate your placenta. Meconium is sterile, does not contain the faecal bacteria that normal stool does and therefore is perfectly fine to encapsulate. Meconium is only dangerous for the baby to inhale, but is otherwise harmless. If your placenta is heavily stained, I will wash it thoroughly before encapsulation preparation. I will advise you once I have checked it. If it is thick with meconium you may only be able to have Traditional Chinese Medicine capsules and not the tincture.
​
Can I delay cord clamping if I am encapsulating my placenta?
​
Delayed cord clamping (waiting up to 10 minutes after delivery to cut the cord, preferably until it has completely stopped pulsing) has been proven to hold lifelong benefits for babies, and is something we encourage all families to research before giving birth. Delaying cord clamping will not have any negative effect on your placenta.
​
What if I am Group B Strep positive (GBS) or have an infection and need antibiotics, will I still be able to use my placenta?
​
Group B Strep is a common bacterium that does not normally pose health risks to the mother. All bacteria in the placenta are killed during the steaming process, and with Group B Strep I only use the Traditional Chinese Medicine method of placenta encapsulation.
​
Rarely, Group B Strep can lead to uterine infection. If you developed a uterine infection or fever during your labour, your placenta would not be considered useful in healing, and is likely to be taken to the pathology lab for testing. Otherwise Group B Strep is not contra-indicated in placenta remedy preparation.
​
Can I have my placenta encapsulated if I am storing cord blood and tissue stem cells?
​
Yes, you can do both.
Can I have my placenta encapsulated if I am diagnosed with pre-eclampsia?
​
Placenta encapsulation is not contra-indicated for mothers with pre-eclampsia. Many women who have had pre-eclampsia have very successfully used placenta capsules. No one fully understands pre-eclampsia or exactly how to prevent it, and although the placenta does seem to play a part, it is not usually unfit for consumption. After the birth, your placenta will be examined for irregularities and problems. Most of the time the placenta is completely fine and you should have no problem encapsulating.
​
Can I have my placenta encapsulated if my baby is premature?
​
Yes, mama of premature babies need all the help they can get bringing in their milk, healing quickly, and balancing post-natal mood. As long as your placenta is examined and cleared for any type of abnormality after birth we are happy to encapsulate it.
​
Are there any people who cannot have capsules made from their placenta?
​
You cannot have capsules made from your placenta if you have a blood-borne virus such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV. You can have capsules made from your placenta if you are given medicine or anaesthetics during the birth of your baby, including a Syntometrine injection. If you are taking any prescription medicines other than those used during pregnancy please seek the advice of your doctor before having capsules made from your placenta.