What is a placenta?

The placenta is your body’s temporary organ that delivers nutrients and oxygen to the baby during the pregnancy, and it also removes waste for the baby.

What is in a placenta?

Here are some of the hormones and nutrients found in the human placenta:

• Oxytocin - known as the "love hormone," produces feelings of happiness and aids in bonding with your infant

• Human Placental Lactogen (HPL)- prepares the mammary glands for milk production

• Cortisone- releases cortisol to combat stress and increase energy

• Interferon- stimulates the immune system

• Prostaglandins- anti-inflammatory

• Hemoglobin- stimulates iron production

• Prolactin- stimulates milk production

• Urokinase Inhibiting Factor- reduces bleeding

• High levels of nutrients found: Iron, Protein, & Vitamin B6

Are there different ways to encapsulate a placenta?

Yes! There are two common ways to encapsulate.

• Raw Method: The placenta is sliced and placed into the dehydrator raw. The dried placenta is ground and placed into capsules. This typically produces a higher yield and most report these pills are more "energizing".

• TCM Method: Traditional Chinese Method steams the placenta with lemon, ginger, and peppers to help bring "warming" to the postpartum body. After it is steamed, it's sliced and placed into the dehydrator. The dried placenta is ground and placed into capsules. While this method doesn't produce as many pills, many say that the herbal steaming helps with gradual mood regulation in the postpartum period.

At Pacific Placenta, we only use one method for encapsulation - Herbal Steamed Method. HSM is inspired by TCM. We omit any peppers from our steaming process. We firmly believe in encapsulating with this method because it most closely follows a more strict Food Safety process that is approved by the USDA as a safe way to dehydrate meats and organs.

How many pills should I expect?

Every placenta is unique! The number of capsules will depend on the size of your placenta. The average number of capsules is around 70 - 150. You will get fewer capsules if you add on a placenta tincture and/or salve (but you will receive the long-lasting benefits from those!).

If I am GBS positive is it safe to encapsulate?

YES. Testing positive prenatally means colonization, it does not equal infection. Most women who test positive prenatally do not become infected. If you or your baby has an infection during labor or within 24 hours postpartum, your placenta would be considered infected and would not be safe to encapsulate. Here is an excellent source to read more about Group B Strep and placenta encapsulation safety.

If I... is it safe to encapsulate?

• Am wanting an epidural or other pain medication

• Am planning an induction of labor with Pitocin, Cytotec, or other method

• Am having a c-section birth

• Am delaying cord clamping/donating cord blood

• Have had a previous COVID infection during pregnancy

YES it is safe to encapsulate.

When is it NOT safe to encapsulate?

It is not safe to encapsulate with the following conditions:

• A placenta that is taken to Pathology or out of your possession

• A placenta should not be treated with alcohol, formaldehyde, or any other chemical. If your placenta comes into contact with any preservatives/chemicals, it is no longer safe to encapsulate

• Chorioamnionitis or uterine infection

• Neonatal sepsis or neonatal infection

• COVID-19 confirmed or suspected infection at time of labor

• Any maternal fever or infection during labor with unspecified cause

• A placenta that has become spoiled; i.e. foul-smelling, discolored, slimy, etc.

• A placenta that has been consistently exposed to drugs, cannabis, tobacco smoke, or significant/sustained levels of alcohol consumption

• A placenta that has set out longer than 3 hours post birth, without being refrigerated or put on ice

• A placenta that has been in the refrigerator for more than 3 to 4 days without being frozen, or a placenta that has been frozen more than 6 months or shows signs of freezer burn