-01_edited_edited.png)
Journey Within
Walking Along Side Of You
Placenta Services
Placenta Encapsulation is a centuries-old practice, most often seen in Chinese medicine. In short, it involves the practice of ingesting the placenta after it has been steamed, dehydrated, ground, and placed into pills. Traditionally, this is taken by the birth giver and is believed to impart numerous health benefits. It is frequently taken shortly after giving birth, during the first menstrual period post delivery, or during menopause with the belief that it helps counter some of the symptoms of menopause.
*Reserve your birth date (EDD)
Our encapsulation specialists get booked fast. To reserve your EDD we require a deposit at the time of booking.
​
*Contact your encapsulation specialist as soon as possible after the baby is born, so we can begin processing your placenta within 48 hours or less. We will come to the home, hospital, or birthing center for pickup.
​
*Once we receive your placenta, we begin processing it typically within 48 hrs. Your capsules are then delivered to you within 72 hrs. We will contact you to ensure your encapsulation is prepared and delivered to meet your needs.
​
How do I keep my placenta after giving birth?
​
Ensure that your midwife, birthing team and/or 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 birthing team and family during your antenatal appointments. Hospitals will usually have a place they can store the placenta after it is birthed.
​
How do I store my placenta?
​
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, not all hospitals will allow you to use their fridge/freezer. This is why it is important to be prepared with a cool bag or cooler.
​
If you do not have access to a fridge right away, your placenta should be double bagged into zip-lock bags and placed into a clean 2 litre sterile, leak-proof container as quickly as possible, but definitely within 30 minutes of its birth. This container should then go in to a cooler for no longer than 6 hours. The cooler should be filled with ice packs or two large bags of ice so that you can chill the placenta within 30 minutes of birth. After 6 hours your placenta should be stored in a fridge.
​
The placenta can remain the the fridge for up to 3 days. After that, the placenta must be stored in a freezer. It will stay preserved in the freezer indefinitely.
​
How do I get my placenta to you after I have given birth?
​
We can collect your placenta from your home or the hospital. When you book we will ask for your due date and contact you before this date to make sure you are prepared. When you go into established labor you should text us, with another text once you have given birth. You (or a family member) can then work out a plan with us over the collection of your placenta.
​
Are there any reasons the hospital may not allow me to keep my placenta?
​
This is very rare. 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 labor, may mean that consuming your placenta is not advisable. 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!
​
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 or chorioamnionitis ( an inflammation of the fetal membranes due to bacterial infection)
-
If the placenta is improperly stored (sat out longer than 4-5 hours at room temperature post-birth with no preservation methods.)
-
Placentas that have sat in the refrigerator for more than 4-5 days without being frozen.
-
If the mother smoked during pregnancy or if there was heavy drug usage.
-
Cancer of the placenta, which is called choriocarcinoma.