Placenta Encapsulation

The Benefits of Placenta Capsules

Your placenta is an amazing organ made by your body especially for you and your baby!

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the placenta has been used for thousands of years to correct hormonal imbalances, boost milk production in lactating women, heal infertility and various other health issues. The placenta has amazing abilities during the postpartum period; it can heal, sustain, and strengthen. Many woman have experienced it’s healing properties, including me!

“I am a huge supporter of placenta encapsulation! With my first baby I was so emotional it put a strain on my marriage. With my second baby, my doula Kali encapsulated my placenta and I started on the pills the day after the birth of my baby. I had no postpartum depression this time and was able to take a pill every time I started to feel blue. It was like night and day. Can you imagine having a 22 month old along with new born baby and not having any emotional baggage? It was wonderful! I still take one now and then during my monthly cycle. I think everyone should at least consider it.” – Krista

“Placenta Encapsulation is FREAKING AMAZING, that’s what it is!!! Fewer “baby blues” and postpartum depression, easier hormone adjustment after birth, healthier milk supply, boost of energy, and quicker overall recover to name a few. I was hesitant when I first heard about it, but decided with an active 4 year old and baby #2 on the way that I couldn’t afford the PPD and exhaustion I’d dealt with the first time around. It had to at least be worth a shot, right? I did it with my second and I’ll NEVER go without my placenta pills again!!! I realize it’s not necessarily a “cure all” and each woman will experience varying degrees of help, but for me it was a complete miracle pill! If other women experience even HALF the benefits I did then I think it’s absolutely crazy not to give it a try, especially when Kali is available to do the “dirty work” for you. You give her the placenta and get nice little vitamin-looking pills in return. What’s not to love? ” -Megan

.“I began taking the capsules as you recommended and I am amazed at the difference there has been. I feel great and have energy even with limited sleep. With my two sons I always laughed about being a zombie the first two months, but I honestly can’t say that this time. Thank you so much for providing this service it has been a lifesaver especially being a mom of a 18 month and 3 1/2 year old in addition to our baby! I will highly recommend you to family and friends!” -Megan H

Your Placenta Capsules may help in these ways:

Balance your hormones & increase your energy
Enhance milk supply
Increase iron levels and replace lost vitamins, minerals and protein postpartum

Placenta Capsules have also been believed to:

Give a quicker recovery from birth
Shorten postpartum bleeding
Assist the uterus to return to size
Prevent the “baby blues” or eliminate or lessen Postpartum Depression or other postpartum mood disorders
Be helpful during menopause (If you have any capsules left, you may freeze them indefinitely)

About Mama Matters Placenta Encapsulation Services

What if I live outside your service area? Can you still encapsulate my placenta?
If you are able to drop off the placenta, or if I can pick it up/meet someone with it within 30 miles of Lindale, TX, or if I am serving as your doula/photographer, I can encapsulate it for you. If you are within a reasonable driving distance (no more than 50 miles from Lindale) I can pick the placenta up, but there will be a mileage fee of $0.50/mile each miles past 30 miles. After encapsulation, I can either drop the capsules back off to you (same mileage fee applies) or I can ship the capsules (for $8 extra). If you are in the DFW area, I can refer you to another specialist close to you.

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Why should I choose Mama Matters to encapsulate it for me?
I have researched extensively on the subject of placenta benefits, and I adhere to strict OSHA standards. I am also the most experienced placenta encapsulation specialist in East Texas, with over three years experience and many satisfied clients.

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How much does it cost?
The fee for Placenta Encapsulation is $225 for non-doula clients or $200 for doula clients or birth photography clients* If you arrange someone to drop it off and pick it up from my house, the cost is $210. A $50 deposit is needed by 37 weeks (unless you decide afterward 37 weeks to use this service), and is refundable only if you decide not to encapsulate before I pick up/you drop off the placenta. *Within 30 miles of Lindale, TX

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When do I need to call you to get my placenta?
Please call me as soon after the birth as possible. Ideally, the placenta should be encapsulated within 48 hours after birth, as your body will be at it’s lowest point hormonally around five days postpartum. I will make every effort to come pick up your placenta from you (or you may have someone bring it to me) within 48 hours of the birth.

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How should I handle/store my placenta prior to encapsulation?
As quickly as possible after the birth, the placenta should be placed into a food-grade container(two large freezer ziplock baggies will work if you are at a home or birth center, and many hospitals will place it in a plastic carton for you). The placenta should be then sealed tightly and refrigerated or placed on ice.

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Will the hospital release my placenta to me?
Currently, Texas Law protects your right to keep your placenta! I recommend telling your care-provider (doctor or midwife) ahead of time that you plan to take your placenta home and write it in your birth plan. I also recommend that you mention your intentions again once the placenta is birthed as the moments surrounding a birth is often somewhat hectic. Be friendly and cooperative when discussing your intentions to take home your placenta. You do not need to share with your OB, midwife or hospital staff what you intend to do with the placenta, just that you would like to have it after your baby is born & that it is not to be treated with any chemicals. You do not have to share why you want your placenta if you do not desire, just state calmly and cheerfully that you would like to have it released to you and that you do not wish to have it chemically treated. Some hospitals may require a release of liability waiver to be signed, but others do not.

Once the placenta is packaged the hospital will not accept any responsibility for proper storage of it during your stay.

I recommend that you have someone (spouse/friend/doula) be in charge of the placenta so that it is not lost or damaged. You may bring a cooler with you to keep the placenta in until I can get it or if you forget a cooler, the baby-bath tub in your room will work fine too. The hospital typically will place the placenta into a plastic container then into a few bio-hazard bags, but have two gallon-sized ziplock baggies just in case. A good idea is to take this bag containing the placenta, put in in the cooler, ice it, and keep in in your room until I can either come get it or it is delivered to me. Don’t ask the hospital to store it for you; that is a good way to have your placenta ruined, thrown out, or taken to pathology.

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Will you still encapsulate my placenta if it has been taken to the Pathology lab at the hospital?
It is pretty rare that your placenta must be taken to pathology. If they state that they want to do this, ask if they can do a visual examination in your room or if they can just take a small piece ofd the placenta for testing and leave the rest with you. If the entire placenta goes to pathology, ask if it can be kept refrigerated and that no chemicals such as formaldehyde be used on it. If these chemical solutions are used, I will be unable to encapsulate it.

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What if I am induced/have a medicated birth/have a cesarean section? Can I still encapsulate my placenta?
Absolutely! Encapsulation is still possible if you birth with an epidural, narcotics, or pitocin or if you have a cesarean section.

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When will I receive my placenta capsules?
The process takes about 2 days with a fresh placenta. If the placenta is frozen then the process will take 3 days. I will return to my house for the encapsulation process (you don’t have to be bothered by the mess and the scent), or if you’d rather, I can bring my equipment to your house and do it there. Please allow me about 2-3 days to encapsulate your placenta. Then I will deliver the capsules to you or you can pick them up. You can begin taking the capsules right away for maximum postpartum benefits.

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How should I store my capsules?
I deliver the capsules to you in a sealed jar. I recommended that placenta capsules be refrigerated or frozen for maximum freshness. For long term storage they should be kept in the freezer, bagged inside their container within the middle of the freezer.

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What is the process you use?
I will steam your placenta, dehydrate the placenta, grind it to a powder, and then encapsulated into capsules. I treat your placenta with utmost care and respect.

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Is this safe? What about sanitation?
I thoroughly disinfect the area where I work before , during, and after the process. All of my equipment is disinfected as well. I am careful to observe FDA and OSHA guidelines to ensure total safety everyone involved. I have taken a special OSHA-compliant Bloodborne Pathogens training course in placenta encapsulation. I am also certified in safe food-handling as mandated by the State of Texas.

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How many placenta capsules will I get?
Your placenta will usually make between 80-150 pills (each placenta varies in size).

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What if I am unsure if I desire encapsulation but want to keep the option open after birth?
I highly recommend that every woman keep their placenta just in case you decide you need it encapsulated! I can encapsulate it if it has been properly frozen (double-bagged and protected from freezer-burn) for up to 6 months postpartum.

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What if I am a vegetarian?
Many of my placenta encapsulation clients are vegetarian or vegan; I myself am a life-long vegetarian. If you desire your capsules to be vegetarian capsules (non-gelatin) please let me know when you send in your contract and deposit.

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What other ingredients are in placenta pills?
I do not add herbs or other ingredients to my placenta capsules. I can use vegetarian capsules if you desire to avoid gelatin in the capsules themselves.

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How do I know I will not receive someone else’s placenta?
I only encapsulate one placenta at a time, so this is impossible. There us no chance of cross contamination or getting placentas mixed up.

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Have you personally encapsulated your placenta? How did it help?
I love to share my personal story; it is the reason I decided to start encapsulating placentas as part of my doula services. I had a good homebirth with my first child in 2007. He breastfed well and I had no real problems, except recovery from a 3rd degree tear. However, the “baby blues” lasted longer than the typical 2 or so weeks. Months after he was born, I was still feeling weepy, overwhelmed, and sluggish. I gradually got better, but it was around 9 or 10 months postpartum before I felt normal again. When my 2nd baby was born, I had become a birth doula, and had come to learn about what an amazing organ the placenta was and about it’s healing properties for the postpartum period. My mom and I encapsulated my placenta from my daughter’s birth, and I started taking the capsules right away. What a difference! I rarely felt weepy past the first week. My milk came in perfectly and was abundant. I did not feel overwhelmed or tired in the same way I did after my son’s birth. Even though it was the middle of winter, I did not feel depressed (I typical may have a touch of seasonal affective disorder). I was going back to the gym within weeks as my energy levels were great. As I gradually weaned off of them, if I had a day where I felt “hormonally off” I would just take an extra capsule and almost immediately feel better. After my experience, I was convinced this was an amazing gift our placentas can give us after they nourish our babies – to nourish us!

For more information and to schedule your encapsulation, contact me!

**I am not a doctor. These services (or any of my doula services) are not clinical, pharmaceutical, or intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The information in this entry have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Women who choose to utilize any such services take full responsibility for researching and using the remedies.**