Placenta Encapsulation

Placenta encapsulation involves consuming your processed placenta in capsule form. This practice is believed to aid hormone balance, reduce postpartum depression, and boost milk supply.

Package starts at $295

I will thoughtfully handle and professionally prepare your placenta as if it were our own, picking it up at your preferred location (home/birthing location), and hand-delivering your placenta products to your door promptly.

Includes:

Capsules. Size 0 (approx. 2 cm in length), certified vegan/kosher/halal prepared using the method of your choice

Heart-shaped cord Keepsake upon request

*Discounts available for birth clients

Add-ons

Tincture | $30

A small amount of placenta powder is placed in 100-proof vodka and allowed to sit for a minimum of six weeks to create a concentrate. When stored properly the tincture can last for years (3+) and is found to have similar benefits to your placenta capsules. Utilize the benefits during the first postpartum menstrual cycle, menopause, and other significant life events.

*only available as an add-on service

Placenta Art | $25

Remember the beauty of the life-sustaining organ that grew your sweet child with an artistic print captured on watercolor paper. These prints are created tastefully with natural (red/brown) or food-grade coloring (red/pink/blue/green).

*only available as an add-on service

Methods & Process

At Doula Mae Birth Services, cleanliness is taken seriously. Before and after each encapsulation, we thoroughly sanitize our workspace and supplies. To prepare the placenta, we first rinse it under cool water and remove the amnion and cord. Then, we use one of two methods to turn it into capsules: either raw or heated. You can even choose a combination of both methods. After drying the placenta, cord, and amnion, we grind them into a fine powder and fill size zero unflavored vegetarian capsules.

Raw Preparation is when the rinsed placenta is thinly sliced and dried. Heated/Steamed Preparation includes steaming the placenta before slicing and drying. This method also creates a broth, which can be added to tea, taken with honey, or used in cooking.

Disclaimer: Placenta consumption in any form is not intended to treat, relieve, or prevent any symptoms, diseases, or ailments. Beneficial results may vary from person to person.

Frequently Asked Questions

about placenta encapsulation

  • Placenta encapsulation is the practice of ingesting the placenta after it has been processed, dehydrated, ground into a powder, and placed into empty capsules. It is ideal for the birth mother to consume the placenta shortly after giving birth, during a menstrual period, or during menopause. The placenta has numerous health benefits and contains a number of beneficial hormones (all listed below). There are many ways to utilize the powers of your placenta besides the common capsules, such as raw fruit smoothies or natural balms.

    • Prevents or lessens the risk of postpartum depression or “baby blues”

    • Replenishes your iron from blood loss during birth, preventing postpartum anemia

    • Lending you a consistent flow of oxytocin long after your birth euphoria ends

    • Provides the HPL hormone to help establish an early and healthy milk supply

    • Stabilizes your ever-changing post-birth hormones

    • Replenishes your B vitamins and energy that were used during the labor/birth process

    • Oxytocin - The “feel good” or love hormone helps create feelings of bonding, pain relief, happiness, and elation.

    • Cortisone - Unlocks energy stored in the body and helps to combat stress (cortisol).

    • Interferon - Stimulates the immune system to help fight off infections while the mother is healing from birth.

    • Prostaglandins - Acts as an anti-inflammatory.

    • Hemoglobin - Replenishes iron and stimulates iron production in the blood.

    • Urokinase Inhibiting Factor and Factor XIII - Lessens bleeding and promotes faster healing.

    • Prolactin/HPL - Stimulates healthy mammary function and milk production.

    • Placental Opioid-Enhancing Factor (POEF) - Modifies the activity of endogenous opioids enhancing pain reduction naturally.

  • Yes, although the research is limited.

  • Most often I'm asked to process a client’s placenta in my sanitized home workspace. However, if you prefer the encapsulation be done in your home Doula Mae will happily make the arrangements with you.

  • All tools, equipment, and surfaces are cleaned and disinfected before and after use with a 10% bleach solution.

  • The first phase (cleaning/dehydrating) of the encapsulation process typically begins the evening on which your placenta is picked up. The second phase (grinding/encapsulating) begins the next day. To ensure a safe and satisfying encapsulation delivery to the client usually occurs 48-72 hours after pick up.

  • The amount of capsules yielded is dependent on a few things; the size of your placenta, the processing method, and the size pill that you choose. On average a placenta will yield 125 - 200 capsules.

  • Although potency is expected to decrease with time, it has been said that capsules can be kept and used through menopause. If this is something you decided on it is recommended to freeze them in a freezer-safe bag. The standard shelf life of capsules (when properly stored) is two years.

  • Capsules should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark area. If by week 6 postpartum you find you still have quite a few capsules you can freeze them by transferring them into a Ziploc bag. When storing them in the freezer, place them in the back where it is coldest. Please check for signs of moisture if you leave them out longer than an hour, as this can cause spoilage.

  • The suggested dosage will be on your placenta container. It is suggested that you start by taking a higher dose and gradually decrease your dose. You will be able to take your pills as needed and adjust your dose based on your personal needs.

  • Tinctures although most commonly made using raw placenta can also be made using the powder from leftover capsules. It is made by allowing the placenta to ferment in 100-proof alcohol for a minimum of six weeks prior to use. A properly stored tincture has the ability to be kept safely for years after capsules are gone.

    *Feel free to contact Doula Mae if you find you would like to make a tincture with leftover capsules.

Can I still encapsulate my placenta if...

The answer is likely YES! In most scenarios (cesarean birth, meconium present, group b strep positive) you are able to safely encapsulate and consume your placenta. (see below)

Possible Risks or Contradictions

​There are very few risks of placenta encapsulation as long as you are following strict safety and sanitizing protocols, as well as understanding what the contraindications for consumption are. Doula Mae is educated and holds OSHA Blood-borne Pathogens Certificate and Food Handler Safety Certification.

The basic risks of having your placenta encapsulated are:

  • Unsanitary conditions. If the placenta is prepared in a dirty kitchen you run the risk of viral and bacterial contamination.

  • Improper sanitizing techniques. This puts you and your client at risk for cross-contamination, the spreading of bloodborne pathogens, and rancid blood.

  • Pathology. When the placenta is sent to pathology there are always risks associated. There is a chance that the placenta has been contaminated with chemicals, that the equipment used for examination has not been properly sterilized, and even a placenta that was returned does not belong to you.

  • Too little dehydration. If the placenta is not dehydrated at a high enough temperature, or if it was ground and encapsulated prematurely you run the risk of fungus, mold, and bacterial contamination. This can make the mother and breastfeeding baby very ill.

Contraindications of placenta preparation are as follows:

  • Chemically contaminated placentas in pathology, either sanitizing or preserving. Placentas that have sat out longer than 45 hours at room temperature post-birth with no preservation methods.

  • Placentas that have sat in the refrigerator for more than 4 days without being frozen.

  • Placentas that have mucousy or stringy blood

  • Uterine infections or chorioamnionitis

  • Heavy smoking during pregnancy

  • Heavy drug usage

  • Some low-weight, high-binding molecular weight drugs (uncommon, but can be discussed)

  • Cancer of the placenta, which is called choriocarcinoma.

  • Some genetic disorders ​​