This method of preparing the placenta for encapsulation involves steaming the placenta gently. TCM is believed to have tonifying, healing, and warming properties. If your placenta has been frozen or sent to pathology (in hospital), this is always the method of choice.

This method of preparing the placenta for encapsulation is set for dehydration while still “raw.” This process is thought to be more potent and will usually yield more placenta pills then the TCM Method.

Placenta Tincture is made from a piece of the mother’s own raw placenta after birth, steeping in alcohol making a strong remedy over 6 weeks. It is said that placenta tincture is used for emotional, mental and psychological instability and is believed to be very beneficial for treating PMS and menopause.

A. The supplies used during the encapsulation process are all stainless steel and food-grade plastic. All equipment is washed with hot soapy water and sanitized with a bleach solution. The preparation area is fully cleaned and sanitized with bleach solution prior to and after processing of the placenta. All equipment is thoroughly washed and sanitized prior to storage and again before use.

A. If you are having a hospital birth, ask your nurse to double bag the placenta in a biohazard or ziplock bag. We recommend bringing two of your own ziplock bags. The placenta should be put on ice and refrigerated as soon after birth as possible. Bring a cooler to the hospital for transportation of the placenta out of the hospital. The placenta must be properly refrigerated or frozen until preparation.

A. The process usually takes about 24 hours total, split over 2 days. We have a 48-72 hour turn around for placenta pills, from placenta pick up to pill drop off.

A.  It is helpful to talk with your healthcare provider about your wishes for the placenta before you go into labor. Find out what your hospital’s policy is for the release of placenta. Tell your primary care provider that you plan to have your placenta encapsulated and it should be released right away. This should be noted in your chart and mentioned in your birth vision. You may also need to sign a release/waiver to take home your placenta.

A. The only time the placenta cannot be used in encapsulation is if the doctor feels there are signs of infection of the placenta or uterus, or any other signs that it would need to be looked at by pathology. If your placenta needs to be sent to pathology you may TELL your healthcare provider to remove a small piece of the placenta to be sent to pathology. If there is an infection you will not have your placenta encapsulated. If all tests come back normal we will continue to have the placenta encapsulated. Once the placenta is out of your sight we no longer know how it is being handled or if it is being kept refrigerated. It is not advised to encapsulate your placenta at that point.

A.   Every placenta is a different size and yields a different end result. We use size 00 capsules and the average is about 80 pills.