Placenta Services

Placenta Encapsulation

Encapsulating your placenta may sound strange (bizarre even!) but it can be extremely beneficial to your postpartum well being. It can help balance your hormones, enhance your milk supply and increase your energy. I decided I wanted to be able to provide this amazing service to moms after my best friend experienced severe postpartum depression with her first two pregnancies and then had her placenta encapsulated with her third and experienced no postpartum depression. In fact she experienced the opposite; increased energy and optimism – and if you have had or know anyone with three kids under five, you know what an incredible gift that is! Obviously it’s hard to know with 100% certainty that the capsules were responsible for this shift but it was basically the only thing she did differently. Since then I’ve continued to be convinced through direct experience with many, many birthing families that it is an AMAZING resource: custom made by you, for you!

Benefits:

• Can reduce symptoms of “baby blues” and curb postpartum depression
• Increases milk production
• Increases energy and helps to reduce fatigue
• Natural iron supplement
• Helps the uterus return to normal size and reduce bleeding
• Replenishes nutrients to the body

I completed certification with Full Circle Encapsulation (now called the International Placenta & Postpartum Association or IPPA) in 2014 and have safely and efficiently encapsulated hundreds of placentas. I operate within OSHA standards, have taken and passed a Biologics blood pathogens course and have a current food handlers permit. I require STI blood work from all of the families I work with so you know that my equipment is safe and has never been used with blood containing blood born pathogens. I won’t encapsulate without it; this means if you are a last minute client you must provide test results or you will have to go with someone else. I typically deliver your placenta capsules and tinctures within 48 hours of pick-up; salves require one additional day.

The best time to start encapsulation is within 24-48 hours after birth. If I am already your doula, it’s easy – I just take your placenta with me when I leave your birth and return the capsules within 48 hours. If I am only completing placenta encapsulation for you it’s also easy; you contact me as soon as labor begins to give me heads up. Once baby arrives just text me or give me a call (definitely call between midnight and 8am!) and I will head over to your birth location to pick up your placenta. When everything is ready I will contact you and make arrangements to deliver your products to you wherever you are.

The basic process:

1. Your placenta is placed in a container or double bagged at your birth location and placed into the cooler you provide (see more info on this below) with ice provided by your hospital or birth center.
2. I pick up your placenta, transport it to my workspace and keep it refrigerated until I can begin the process which is usually within a few hours of pickup.
3. I sanitize my workspace and all the equipment completely; all components of my equipment are separately sanitized.
4. I steam your placenta lightly.
5. I slice the placenta into very thin strips and place it on the dehydrating unit.
6. Your placenta is dehydrated until there is zero moisture left (this allows it to be shelf stable without any preservatives).
7. I grind up the thin dehydrated strips into powder.
8. I use a capsule machine to encapsulate your placenta powder into capsules. You can choose between regular and vegetarian capsules.
9. Your capsules are packaged and ready to deliver to you either at your birth location or at home.

Placenta Encapsulation: $280

Placenta Tinctures

A tincture is an alcohol extraction of a compound. A small piece of your placenta is placed in the tincture bottle with alcohol. Over time the alcohol extracts the medicinal components of the placenta through the process of osmosis, resulting in a concentrated medicinal liquid. With a placenta tincture you can keep benefiting from the medicinal qualities of your placenta after you have taken all your capsules. Many women use their tincture during their menstrual cycle and menopause. Your tincture lasts indefinitely and is a great way to continue receiving the benefits of your placenta throughout your life.

Tinctures can be taken several different ways:

• As is, under the tongue
• Mixed in a little water or juice
• Mixed in hot water (this method is good for those who are concerned about any alcohol consumption)

1 4oz tincture: $20
2 4oz tinctures: $35

Placenta Salve

A salve is an ointment or balm which promotes protection or healing of the skin. Your customized placenta salve is made with 100% organic ingredients and is a luxurious way to pamper your postpartum body.

Your salve can be used:

• As a protective and healing nipple cream
• To promote healing of perennial tears or hemorrhoids
• To promote healing of a cesarean incision
• As a diaper rash cream for baby
• As a healing balm for the whole family!

100% Organic Placenta Salve: $45

How do I sign up?

It’s easy! Just fill out the consultation form stating your interest in encapsulation and I will contact you to answer any questions you have and begin the process.

• Request your test results for Hepatitis B and HIV at your next doctor or midwife appointment and either email a copy to me at doulachristal@gmail.com or take a pic and text to me at (760) 586-5887.
  • All Scripps (La Jolla, Encinitas and Mercy) hospitals require you to have Hepatitis C results on file to release the placenta so double check that this test has been performed as well; if it has not, request it. The results must be back before birth.

• Payment can be made via Venmo (@Christal-Quick) or Paypal (doulachristal@gmail.com), deposit of $140 is due to reserve your spot, balance is due when I pick up your placenta. If for some reason we cannot encapsulate I will refund your deposit in full.
• Purchase a small cooler (please no Styrofoam!) of about 9 quarts
  • Click here for an example of the right size cooler
  • The cooler is very rarely exposed to any blood or mess of any kind; if there is a tiny drop or two I will sanitize your cooler thoroughly – your should be able to use it again.
  • Your cooler is returned to you with your placenta products

• Save my number to you and your partner’s phones so it’s easy to contact me when you go into labor (or share my info with your doula).

If you are interested in both doula and encapsulation services packages are available.