Placenta Encapsulation

Doula

Birth Keeper

Placenta Specialist Lactation Support

Birth Options Educator

Womb Knowledge Coach

viktoriouswomen@gmail.com

(509)-902-2721
Facebook @viktoriouswomen
Text, Messenger, Call, or Email me to set up an appointment. 

So you’re interested in placenta encapsulation and want to learn more! 

Placenta encapsulation is the process of preparing your placenta after the
baby’s birth. The ingestion of the placenta is known as “placentophagy”. The purpose of placentophagy is to reintroduce beneficial vitamins, minerals, hormones, and other nutrients to help restore a more balanced body function, increase breastmilk production, shorten healing time, increase energy levels, and provide an overall feeling of wellness to aid in the fourth trimester transition between pregnancy and postpartum.

Limitations and Disclaimer
I am not a physician and I am not able to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for
any health condition. Services and fees are for the preparation and encapsulation of your placenta, not for the sale of the pills. Benefits of placentophagy are supported by ongoing research but have not been evaluated by the FDA. Benefits will vary from person to person, and no specific benefits or effects are guaranteed or promised. It is your responsibility to determine whether using placenta preparations may be of benefit to you. Placenta services are not meant to be a replacement for medical advice or prescription medicines. If you are experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression, low milk supply, or other medical concerns please speak to your midwife or other primary health care provider.

Service Description
I am an experienced placenta specialist and have been processing placentas
since 2016.
I will pick up your placenta from your birthing location, carry out the
encapsulation process in my home, and deliver your capsules to you. I do not currently offer encapsulation in the client’s home as I am more able to carefully maintain a properly sanitized environment in the dedicated space in my home that is set up for placenta encapsulation. I have completed training in bloodborne pathogens. I carry out proper cleanliness and preparation precautions to ensure the highest quality of placenta encapsulation possible.

There are two ways I can prepare your placenta.
Traditional Chinese Medicine principles is the most common. The placenta is gently steamed with chili, lemon and ginger, sliced thinly, and dehydrated. When it is completely dry, I powder and encapsulate it.
This is believed to restore the warmth a woman has lost following birth and assisting in her body’s re-balance and immune support. Women’s testimonies say this method provides more calming.

Raw Method is similar, except it skips the steaming. The placenta is sliced thinly and dehydrated. When it is completely dry, I powder and encapsulate it.
Some believe steaming the placenta may diminish some of the nutrients available. They believe the raw method is more valuable. Women’s testimonies say this method provides more energy boost.

*It is important to note that I am not a true Chinese medicine practitioner, so my method of preparation is a commonly accepted interpretation of TCM.

to determine what method you want your placenta encapsulated with, think about your personality and what you would like to gain after your birth: more calm or increased energy etc...

Additional options I offer

Flavored capsules: orange, strawberry, grape, unflavored 

Digital photos of placenta
Dehydrated amniotic sac
2oz Placenta tincture ($25)
Placenta salve  ($20)

Placenta Pick-up arrangements
At this time, I am only doing placenta pickups between 7am and 9pm.
Between these hours you may contact me (call/text/message) at any time for pickup. If it is outside of these hours, proper storage will keep the placenta viable until pickup can be arranged. If I am attending your birth, I will ensure proper storage of your placenta.

Client Responsibility
If I am not attending your birth, it is your responsibility to ensure proper
storage of the placenta until we can make arrangements for pickup. Failure to do so may result in delayed placenta preparation and may cause spoilage of the placenta which could render it unusable for encapsulation. The placenta needs to be properly stored within 3-4 hours after it is birthed. This can be in a bag with ice/ice packs in a cooler (up to 12 hours with ice being replaced), in a refrigerator (up to 4 days), or a freezer (up to 6 months). 

Hospital Birth Considerations
It is your responsibility to discuss release of your placenta from the
hospital. Your placenta must not be treated with alcohol, formalin, or any other preservative. It is usually possible to claim your placenta even after a cesarean birth. Testing positive for GBS is not a contraindication, nor is having meconium in the amniotic fluid.

Contraindications
There may be circumstances under which your placenta cannot be used.
Significant abnormalities of the placenta may necessitate your care provider sending your placenta to pathology for further examination. Other contraindications would be infection during labor (chorioamnionitis), HIV, Hepatitis, Lyme disease, smoking during pregnancy.

Service Area
My service area is focused on Yakima and surrounding areas, anything
further than 30 minutes will include a travel charge dependent on distance. 

Fees
The fee for this service is $180 which includes the preparation and
encapsulation of the placenta, a storage container for the capsules, written instructions for storage and handling, and guidelines for taking your capsules. An umbilical cord keepsake and two placenta prints are also provided if possible. I request a deposit of $60 with the return of our contract before 36 weeks to save your place in my calendar with the remaining balance due before your birth. *I cannot guarantee pickup if full payment has not been received.