Are you considering placenta encapsulation? Many families do, but they are not sure how to find or choose the person who they will entrust with the process. We get that, its not like you can just grow another placenta if things go wrong!

So, with that in mind, here are 10 questions that may help as you make the decision about placenta pills. encapsulators and your happy (and safe) postpartum!

1. Do you use bleach and/or OSHA approved cleaning substances during the process as well as before and after each placenta that is processed?

This answer should ALWAYS be a resounding yes.  Essential oils and clorox wipes may be great for general household cleaning, but they do NOT properly sanitize an area for placenta preparation nor do they properly clean any of the tools used in the process.

2. Can I choose the method used for processing as well?

Most encapsulators either offer raw prep or steamed/traditional prep- some may only offer one or the other. This refers to what happens to the placenta prior to dehydration. It will either be cut raw (obviously raw prep) then put on the dehydrator or it will be cut after being steamed until cooked (traditional) before going on the trays. At Great Expectations, we are more than happy to discuss which option is best. We do offer raw and Traditional processing options but in both cases your placenta is always brought to food safe temperatures during the dehydration process. If you are not choosing us for placenta services, you will want to make sure the specialist you are choosing has experience with the method of your choice.

3. Have you taken a bloodborne pathogens class? Do you carry a Food Handler’s license?

Once again, you want someone who says yes to both of these questions.

4. How will my placenta be transported safely to and from where I deliver? How long after my placenta is picked up will my placenta be processed…and where will it be stored until then? 

Your encapsulator should be able to describe in detail how this transport will occur and when and who provides the receptacle for transport from place to place. You will also want to ensure that the placenta is processed quickly, but that if it needs to be stored prior to processing, that it is stored in food safe temperatures and is in a separate refrigerator from other food.

At Great Expectations, if you book our services prior to 38 weeks, we can send you a Transportation Kit that will help your provider pack the placenta safely so that it can be safely transported.  We also partner with a medical courier service so that your placenta can always be picked up quickly when you call our on-call number (833-PLACNTA). Placentas are never stored more than overnight and are stored in a labeled placenta fridge. The courier also labels all the placentas it transports adding an extra layer of security to the process.

5. Can I contact you after I have started taking my pills if I have questions about my pills or postpartum?

You may have more questions about your pills, or you may need some postpartum or even lactation advice. Your encapsulator can help you find the resources you might need during your postpartum such as a lactation consultant or a postpartum therapist.

6. What is your training? Are you certified?

There are several ways to certify, including apprenticeships.  Whatever the answer, you will want to ensure the person your are trusting with your placenta well trained, certified and has accountability of a respected individual or organization backing them up!

7. How many placentas have you processed?

The specialist should be ready to share how long they have been doing this work and an approximate number of placentas they have processed. (FYI…Great Expectations has processed over 2500 as of spring 2021.)

8. What equipment do you use?  Is it disposable and if not, how is it cleaned and stored?

Different encapsulators will use different items, but many use similar items. All will be using a dehydrator and some sort of grinding equipment along with an encapsulating machine. As with the first question concerning the use of cleaning agents, you will want to ensure that any reusable equipment is properly cleaned before and after each placenta and is stored away from pets, food and children. Some encapsulators re-use all their tools, some reuse very little.

Great Expectations uses disposable processing items whenever possible (its not possible to use a disposable dehydrator!) So most things that touch the placenta are thrown away. All personal protection equipment (gloves, apron, etc) are disposable. It is our view that new items are guaranteed to be clean vs. items that are cleaned each time, so we do as much as possible with disposable items. Yes, it costs us a bit more to keep buying things, but we think your safety is worth it.

9. Is there anything that would prevent my placenta from being safe to process or that would prevent you from processing my placenta?

Most infections will render a placenta unsafe for consumption.

Storage outside of food safe guidelines will make a placenta unsafe.

Placenta put in a container with chemicals like formaldehyde are a no go.

Instructions concerning infection are giving on our intake form and contract. Also a placenta must be kept refrigerated or frozen, and be fresh (or recently thawed) when it is processed. If a placenta has not been kept at safe temperatures, it is not safe for processing.

One reason we love when clients order the transport kit is that we know they have a cooler and it reminds everyone to put the placenta in the cooler, get ice and call us. Also, we love our couriers. They are 1000% dependable. They transport all kinds of medical equipment and lab tests…we love that they also know how to safely move placentas.

10. Describe your placenta encapsulation work space. Who else has access to this space?

You should feel comfortable asking about the work space where you placenta will be processed as well as asking about who else might have access to the space and thus have access to your placenta. Obviously children, household food and any animals or pets would be the biggest concern. You may also want to ask again about how the space is cleaned.

Do you have other questions? Hit us up. We love talking about placenta services and having a better postpartum!