Question 1

What is the cost to encapsulate my placenta?

Accepted Answer

The cost is $250. This includes a complimentary cord keepsake (dried umbilical cord) and a coloured print. If you live in Hamilton we offer a free pickup from the hospital or birth centres, however if you do not live in Hamilton the cost of a courier ($40) will be added, this includes the cost to return your capsules to you. You are welcome to drop your placenta off to us if you live just outside of Hamilton area and prefer to hand deliver it.

Question 2

How do I get my placenta to you?

Accepted Answer

We offer a free pick up and delivery service to Waikato Hospital, River Ridge and Waterford Birthing Centres in Hamilton.  If you live in Hamilton or surrounding areas, but are not at the hospital or birth centres, you are welcome to drop your placenta off to us in Hamilton, otherwise you will need to courier your placenta.  Instructions will be sent to you once you book in with regard to correct packaging and courier instructions.  The cost of the courier in the North Island is $30 and South Island $40 (This includes the return courier fee).
If you cannot source a suitable chilly/poly box (5 - 8ltr capacity) we have a loan one available.

Question 3

I cant find a suitable chilly/poly box to courier my placenta to you? What can I do?

Accepted Answer

We have a poly box we can loan you and send for the courier fee of $15. Please just let us know.

Question 4

Are you trained? ​ ​

Accepted Answer

Yes. in 2014 I completed my intensive training through Placenta Benefits International (www.placentabenefits.info) and I am now a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist.

Question 5

Can I have delayed cord clamping and still encapsulate?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we encourage delayed cord clamping, it's so important for your baby to receive as much blood from the placenta as possible.

Question 6

Can I still encapsulate if my placenta has been frozen?

Accepted Answer

Yes. there are a few criteria that need to be met in this instance. 1. Was the placenta kept chilled within 4 hours of the birth? 2. Did the placenta then go into the freezer within 3 days? 3. Has it been frozen solid since then? 4. How long as it been in the freezer? (as generally up to 6 months is absolutely fine) Please contact us to discuss the above. 
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Question 7

But isn't the placenta is a filter? Does it store the toxins it filters? Do I end up ingesting them when I consume the capsules?

Accepted Answer

The placenta is a part of an advanced filtering system. Nutrients from the mother get passed to the baby via the placenta, which tries to filter out anything harmful to the baby before letting it get through. The baby passes waste back to the mother through the placenta, which the mother’s body can then remove, just as her body removes all the other waste products in her system. The placenta is not a filter that traps everything that can’t get through, like an air filter. Those waste products and other things that the baby can’t use are generally sent back out to the mother for removal. If the placenta held onto everything, it would be a health hazard after nine months! So, no, the placenta is not filled with toxins by the time the baby is born. That being said, there are some things that do get held by the placenta, such as heavy metals. So if a mother smokes, the heavy metals in the cigarette smoke will build up in the placenta over time, making it questionable whether or not it should be ingested.

Question 8

What if there is Meconium on my placenta?

Accepted Answer

Meconium is the sticky tar-like poo that your baby produces in first few days of life until milk gets into it’s digestive system. Meconium is a sterile substance.  Sometimes, the baby passes meconium for the first time in the womb or as it is born and this may stick to the placenta. If this is the case we clean the placenta thoroughly and the method of encapsulation we use requires the placenta to be steamed during preparation which kills any potential bacteria. 
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Question 9

I want to bury some of my placenta also, can I do a partial encapsulation?"

Accepted Answer

Yes we offer a few options for partial encapsulation:
Encapsulate the entire placenta apart from the cord and sac. This will allow you to get the full amount of capsules from your placenta while still being able to bury a part of your placenta.
Encapsulate say ¾ of your placenta and return ¼ to you or burial. This allows for you to have the cord keepsake (dehydrated cord) to keep rather than bury if you wish.
 
Please advise this on your booking in form or discuss the options with us if these don't suit your needs, we are happy to accommodate. The cost is the same as a full encapsulation regardless of which option is chosen.

Question 10

What method of encapsulation do you use?

Accepted Answer

We use the Traditional Chinese Medicine Method which requires the steaming of the placenta with Ginger and Myrrh prior to dehydration.

Question 11

If I dont live in Hamilton, can you still encapsulate my placenta?"

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can courier your placenta to me.  Once the booking form is completed you will receive instructions about this.

Question 12

If I have an induction, epidural or cesarean section, can I still encapsulate"

Accepted Answer

Yes absolutely. The medications given during these procedures are absolutely safe to still encapsulate

Question 13

What are your hygiene standards like?

Accepted Answer

The health and well-being of our clients and ourselves is of the upmost importance, therefore an extremely high standard of hygiene practice is followed. We have a dedicated "Placenta Room" within our home in which your placenta is carefully and professionally processed. Hospital grade disinfectants and sanitisers are used and strict guidelines are followed. We hold a current Food Safety Certificate and a Bloodborne Pathogens and Infection Control Certificate.

Question 14

I'm on medication during my pregnancy, is it safe to still encapsulate?"

Accepted Answer

We are not medical professional therefore cannot advise either way specifically. We do ask that you discuss this with your care provider. Generally speaking, medications taken during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding are deemed safe with encapsulation, however you must confirm this with your care provider. Please advise of any medical conditions.

Question 15

Will there be an after taste?

Accepted Answer

While most people do not notice an aftertaste, if this is a concern for you, we will use a method known as the Traditional Chinese Medicine method.  We use herbs such as ginger and myrrh to try to eliminate or reduce this after-taste.  Also taking your capsules with meals can help too.

Question 16

Can I still encapsulate my placenta if I am banking cord blood?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Cord blood banking is increasingly common. Your midwife will collect the cord blood immediately after birth leaving the placenta for encapsulation. This does not effect the encapsulation process.

Question 17

Do I need to book or can I just phone when I’ve had the baby?

Accepted Answer

It is important that I know your approximate date of delivery so I don’t book in too many encapsulations. Please complete the booking form on this site so that we can be ready to receive your placenta once you have had your baby. However, should you have already had your baby and would like to have your placenta encapsulated, give me a call as we're sure we will be able to fit you in.

Question 18

When will I get the capsules back?

Accepted Answer

They will be returned to you as soon as possible. The encapsulating process takes about 24 hours and depending where you live it should be with you within 1-4 days.  We endeavour to have it back to you within 24-36 hours of receiving it as ideally you would want to begin taking your capsules as soon after birth as possible.

Question 19

How many capsules will I get?

Accepted Answer

With the average placenta you are likely to get 100-200 capsules. It really depends on the size of your placenta.

Question 20

How many capsules do I take?

Accepted Answer

An information sheet will accompany your capsules with the dosage, amount to take and when and when not to take them.

Question 21

Will my placenta get mixed up with somone elses?

Accepted Answer

Definitely not. We only work with one placenta at a time to ensure your safety.

Question 22

When should I not encapsulate?

Accepted Answer

It is not very often that you cannot encapsulate a placenta, but it is important that the placenta is fresh and refrigerated or frozen to prevent bacteria contamination. Should you develop an infection in labour or postpartum we will need to discuss the reason for the fever with your care provider. There are other situations that may arise that should be made on a case by case basis. Please discuss this with your care provider.

Question 23

I have some capsules left over and I'm pregnant again, can I take my left over capsules while pregnant?"

Accepted Answer

The placenta is designed to help the body recover after birth and composes of hormones which may contract the uterus. To prevent miscarrage or early labour, we highly recommend mothers NOT take placenta capsules while pregnant.

Question 24

What are the complimentary extras? Cord keepsake and print?

Accepted Answer

A cord keepsake is your babys umbilical cord completely dehydrated generally into the shape of a heart. This can be kept forever as a keepsake. The print is a lovely coloured print (made with food colouring) of your placenta onto paper and laminated.

FAQ'S