Please fill in the form below , if you have any queries please contact us directly.
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How do I keep my placenta after giving birth?
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Ensure that your midwife, birthing team and family are aware that you wish to keep your placenta and note this in your birth plan. Discuss your plan to keep your placenta with your midwife during your antenatal appointments.
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How do I store my placenta?
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The easiest way to store your placenta is by purchasing our Placenta Collection Kit, which is designed to keep placenta cool for 12 hours.
Kit includes everything you need to safely store your placenta. Special attention has been paid to the design of the kit to minimise the unfortunate instances of lost placentas in hospitals.
If you decide against the Placenta Collection Kit your placenta should be double bagged into zip-lock bags and placed into a clean 2 litre sterile, leak-proof container as quickly as possible, but definitely within 30 minutes of its birth. This container should then go in to the cool bag for no longer than 6 hours. If your ice packs melt you must buy two large bags of ice so that you can chill the placenta within 30 minutes of birth (send your partner to find a local petrol station or supermarket). After 6 hours your birth partner, doula or family member should take the placenta home for refrigeration.
Your placenta needs to be kept cool to ensure it remains safe to consume. Your placenta should be stored in a refrigerator below 8°C after the cord is cut, however not all hospitals will allow you to use their fridge/freezer. This is why it is important to be prepared with either a cool bag or Placenta Collection Kit option. Talk to your midwife and add a note to your birth plan to ensure staff know you are keeping your placenta.
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How do I get my placenta to you after I have given birth?
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We can collect your placenta from your home or the hospital. When you book we will ask for your due date and contact you before this date to make sure you are prepared. When you go into established labour you should text us, with another text once you have given birth. You (or a family member) can then liaise with us over collection of your placenta depending on what level of collection you have chosen.
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Can I encapsulate if I’m induced, have a Caesarean section or a medicated birth?
Encapsulation is still possible if you give birth with an epidural or if you have a Caesarean section. The placenta acts as a filter, filtering out toxins and sending them back to the mother’s liver to be detoxed from the system. If you are on medication during your pregnancy we ask you to seek advice from your consultant before deciding on placenta encapsulation.
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How do I get my placenta to you after I have given birth?
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We can collect your placenta from your home or the hospital. When you book we will ask for your due date and contact you before this date to make sure you are prepared. When you go into established labour you should text us, with another text once you have given birth. You (or a family member) can then liaise with us over collection of your placenta depending on what level of collection you have chosen.
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Can I delay cord clamping if I am encapsulating my placenta?
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Delayed cord clamping (waiting at least 10 minutes after delivery to cut the cord, preferably until it has completely stopped pulsing) has been proven to hold lifelong benefits for babies, and is something we encourage all families to research before giving birth. Delaying cord clamping will not have any negative effect on your placenta.
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Are there any situations that would make it unsafe for me to consume my placenta?
There are a few situations where we would not be able to process your placenta. These are:
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If the placenta is sent to pathology
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If there is a uterine infection
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If the placenta is improperly stored
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If the mother smoked during pregnancy
Please let us know if you have any specific questions. If you are on medication during your pregnancy we ask you to seek advice from your consultant before deciding on placenta encapsulation.
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What if I am Group B Strep positive (GBS) or have an infection and need antibiotics, will I still be able to use my placenta?
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Group B Strep is a common bacterium that does not normally pose health risks to the mother. All bacteria in the placenta are killed during the steaming process, and with Group B Strep we only use the Traditional Chinese Medicine method of placenta encapsulation.
Rarely, Group B Strep can lead to uterine infection. If you developed a uterine infection or fever during your labour, your placenta would not be considered useful in healing, and is likely to be taken to the pathology lab for testing. Otherwise Group B Strep is not contra-indicated in placenta remedy preparation.
How many pills will my placenta make?
Placentas vary in size so the number of capsules also varies.
The average number of capsules made from the Simple Placenta method is 180.
For Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) placenta capsules the average is 140
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Do placenta pills go bad?
Yes they can. Both types of pills have a best before date and must be consumed accordingly. It is also important to store your pills correctly. Traditional Chinese Medicine capsules should be consumed within 6 months of birth. Simple Capsules will last for 12 weeks. Both types of capsules should be stored in a cool, dry place, but not in the fridge.
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Do I need to do anything once I have booked?
There are some documents you will need to read and print to ensure all your birth team are aware you are keeping your placenta for encapsulation. A link to these documents will be sent to you once your booking form is received. We will guide you through the process of encapsulation so you know exactly what you need to do.
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