FAQs about placenta encapsulation

You probably have questions. Some of your questions might be on this page, but please feel free to make contact with any questions.

What are the benefits of placenta encapsulation?
Why in home placenta encapsulation? Why won't you pick up my placenta and process it offsite?
How should I store my placenta?
How soon after birth should I have my placenta encapsulated? Can I freeze my placenta?
How long does the encapsulation process take?

1. What are the benefits of placenta encapsulation?

Common reasons for ingesting placenta include: helping with postpartum depression or "baby blues," increasing your milk supply, helping with hormone balance, lessening fatigue and increasing energy, shortening recovery and postnatal bleeding time and increasing iron levels.

Unfortunately, not a lot of scientific study has been done, but here is a link to a Google Scholar search to placentophagy in humans. I hope more rigorous scientific study is completed in the near future.

2. Why in home placenta encapsulation? Why won't you pick up my placenta and process it offsite?

In home placenta encapsulation is for my safety and yours. It is the only way I can demonstrate that I am only encapsulating your placenta and the safety process I go through with each placenta encapsulation. There are many other people who exclusively do placenta pickups and offsite encapsulations and their services might be a better fit for you if you are unable to have your placenta encapsulated in home.

3. How should I store my placenta?

If you are having a birth center or hospital birth, it is recommended to bring your own large heavy-duty zip lock bags or a food grade container with you. The hospital biohazard bags are NOT recommended. Place the placenta in the refrigerator or bring a small cooler filled with ice. You can decide in your birth plan who the best person to be in charge of the placenta will be.

If you are having a home birth, you can have your placenta placed in any sealed food grade container and put it in the refrigerator. You can decide in your birth plan who the best person to be in charge of the placenta will be.

Having your placenta chilled within the first hour after the birth is ideal, and it is not recommended to leave it at room temperature for more than four hours.

4. How soon after birth should I have my placenta encapsulated? Can I freeze my placenta?

Ideally, encapsulation should happen between 24-48 hours after birth. The placenta can be refrigerated for up to seven days, but it is preferred that refrigerated placentas be encapsulated within four days after your birth.

It is also possible to freeze your placenta and have it encapsulated up to six months after the birth. Put your placenta in double bagged zip lock freezer bags and make sure it is lying as flat as possible.

5. How long does the encapsulation process take?

Preparing and steaming your placenta takes up to two hours, then eight to ten hours for dehydration and one to two hours for encapsulation which equals a maximum of 14 hours. We will coordinate around your schedule since the dehydrator can be left unattended as it has a shut off timer and safety features. You are welcome to observe as much or as little of the process as you want, and I will be available for questions before or after any part of the process.