FAQs

~ Questions ~

Why should I consume my placenta?

During birth, women lose 1/8 – 1/10 of their blood supply. The mammal placenta was made to be consumed and make up for this loss by giving the new mother essential fats, amino acids, vast amounts of iron, and essential hormones, all to aid the body in self recovery after birth.

How many capsules will my placenta make?

Each placenta is different in size and substance, so the amount of capsules it makes can vary from 90 to 150.

How long do I use my capsules?

The first two weeks are the most important and effective time to be taking the placenta. You can taper off after that, or continue to take them at the original dosage. Follow your body’s cues and adjust the dosage accordingly.

Is there any time I should NOT take placenta capsules?

Placenta should not be taken if the body is fighting off a common cold, flu, or infection. If you should get a breast infection (mastitis), the placenta should not be taken until infection is cleared. If symptoms such as chills, fever, sneezing, aches, flushed cheeks, hot palms and feet or night sweats should occur, stop taking the capsules until the body has fought this off. The reason for this is because placenta is extremely tonifying in nature and can cause a pathogen to grow stronger and go deeper into the body.

When does the encapsulation process begin?

The encapsulation process should, ideally, begin within 48 hours after birth. The placenta will, generally, be suitable for consumption for 7 days (refrigerated the entire time). If it is foreseen impossible to begin the process within the first 72 hours after childbirth, the placenta should be frozen within the first 24 hours. Double-bag the placenta in gallon sized ziplock freezer bags. The placenta will be entirely thawed for TCM style encapsulation, which takes about 24 hours in the refrigerator. It does not need to be thawed entirely to make the raw capsules.

What is the difference between a placenta tincture and placenta essence?

The essence uses 50% drinking alcohol and 50% placenta water after the placenta piece has steeped in the water. The tincture isn’t a 50%/50% mixture. Here, the placenta is steeped in drinking alcohol alone.

Do I need to provide any supplies for the process?

No. I provide all the necessary materials for the placenta encapsulation process. All you need to provide is your placenta.

Hospital Release of Placenta

If you are birthing at a hospital, you will find that the rules and regulations regarding the release of a healthy placenta will vary from one institution to another. Some hospitals will release it immediately, without a fuss, and some have protocols about keeping placentas in pathology for anywhere from 5 to 15 days. They do this in case the baby or mother gets sick, at which point they would go back and autopsy the placenta to look for the source of infection or abnormalities. However, the argument can be made that, if the mother and baby are well enough to go home, it should be fine to send the placenta home as well. The following are some suggestions for navigating the system in general, as well as some information on individual hospital policies.

Who and How to Ask

~ Talk to your care providers about your wishes before hand and write them in your birth plan.

~ Hospitals vary in their willingness to give women their placentas. Start by talking with your doctor. You do not need to share with your OB what you intend to do with the placenta, just that you would like to have it after your baby is born. Doctors do not always know the details of hospital policies. Nurses spend the majority of time with patients, and they will be the ones who can best help you with your request. Call the hospital and ask to talk to a charge nurse. Express your desire to have your placenta, and ask about the hospital’s policy for releasing them.

~ Make it very clear that UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOUR PLACENTA BE TREATED WITH THE HARMFUL CHEMICAL FORMALIN OR FORMALDEHYDE! If your placenta will be stored in the pathology department, ask your nurse to clearly write your wishes on the outside of the placenta container so that there is no mix up.

~ When filling out your admission or pre-admission paperwork, pay attention to anything regarding “products of conception,” “care of the afterbirth,” or “products of birth.” By signing this, you are basically signing over your placenta to the hospital. Instead, you may write “I do not consent” on that part of your paperwork.

~ If you run into resistance with the nursing staff, tell them you have a legal document that you are willing to sign, releasing them of any liability should they give the placenta to you. Each hospital should have their own version of a form called the “Consent to Release Products of Conception” (or something similar); the placenta applies under those guidelines, so ask if they would release the placenta were you to sign that form. You can find a sample Hospital Liability Release form on this site http:/shantips.wordpress.com

~ If they still say they will not give you the placenta, state the fact that you have a “profound belief” in the sacred nature of the placenta. You only have to have a profound belief in something to have it fall into the category of a spiritual/religious belief. So, if you have a profound belief that the placenta will help you after childbirth, that counts. Again, you don’t have to say what you will be doing with it – it’s a private matter. A request based on a spiritual belief is more likely to be honored than one based on your desire to ingest it for its purported health benefits, which hospital staff will probably view with skepticism.

~ Enter your negotiations with a spirit of friendly cooperation. Understand that your request may be the very first time the other person has ever heard about someone wanting to take a placenta home. Keep in mind that resistance may just be an initial reaction to something new and unusual, and probably fear-based. Knowledge and preparation help eradicate fear. Have a plan for your initial conversation, call in advance and be willing to cooperate with the hospital policies (some hospitals need to hold the placenta for a number of days before releasing it, for example). Have a plan, a spirit of open communication, and be empowered. You give birth to your placenta just as your baby. You have the right to take them both home.