Placenta FAQ
What is a placenta?
The placenta is a temporary organ, created during embryonic development, to serve as an interface between mother and baby. It is embedded into and gown on the internal lining of the mother’s uterus. During pregnancy, the placenta is responsible for the exchange of oxygen/carbon dioxide and nutrients/waste between mother and baby.
What do you do with it?
Once the birth is complete the placenta is examined, packed in a bag or container, and refrigerated until processing time. If you are undecided about use, we recommend freezing for long-term preservation.
How is the placenta processed?
The basic encapsulation process is as follows:
The placenta is cleaned in purified water, drained of any excess blood, and any blood clots are removed.
It is sliced into thin strips and placed on dehydrator trays.
It is dehydrated for 18-24 hours, depending on the size.
The dried pieces are ground into a fine powder using a spice mill.
Then empty capsules are filled with dry placenta powered using a pill maker.
What are the benefits? Why do people eat their placenta?
The health benefits of placenta consumption vary from mother to mother. Many women have reported increased energy levels and emotional balance, support with blood building, uterine involution, and milk production.
We believe the placenta is a sacred component of the mother-baby unit and in turn, contains vital life force nourishment for the mother post-birth.
How long does the process take?
In total, the processing, encapsulation, and delivery take about 2-3 days to complete.
Who will be handling my placenta?
Placenta handling and processing are primarily performed by your midwife. Occasionally an assistant may aid in the transportation including pickup and or delivery in the event your midwife is unavailable.
Do I need a cooler to transport it?
If you are planning a hospital or birth center birth, you are responsible for providing a small cooler or cooler bag to transport your placenta after your birth is complete. We recommend bringing 2-gallon size zip lock bags for ice. Ice is usually available as a courtesy in Maternity units.
When do I call for pick up?
We appreciate a heads-up! So please call or text when labor begins so we anticipate the pending pickup. Follow up with a call or text once the placenta is birthed, contained, and ready for pick up.
What does it taste like?
The capsules we use have no artificial colors or flavors. Some mothers have reported a mineral-like aftertaste. We use unflavored, clear, kosher capsules made of cellulose.
If I don’t choose to encapsulate my placenta, what happens to it?
In the home birth setting, we recommended holding on to your placenta at least until you complete the six-week postpartum period. We believe honoring the placenta is a vital part of your pregnancy and birth journey. Many families choose to bury their placenta, returning it to Mother Earth for repurposing, showing their gratitude in the ceremony.
In hospital and birth center settings, the placenta may be regarded as medical waste after birth. Once examined, it may be sent to a laboratory for testing or discarded. Ultimately it will be incinerated as biological waste. Often women are not offered a viewing of their placenta much less allowed time to appreciate its form and function by the attending practitioners.
What are some alternative preparations?
Alternate preparation may include consuming the placenta raw immediately after birth. Small pieces are swallowed whole or added to fruit smoothies. The remainder may be cut into cubes and frozen for future use.
Placenta tinctures are created by steeping a 1-inch piece of raw placenta in grain alcohol for 30 days. This preparation is intended for long-term preservation and medicinal use.
Placenta prints are made with blood or natural dies using the fetal surface, which depicts the tree of life, to mark onto art paper.
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