Placenta Encapsulation FAQs

Why encapsulate the placenta?

The potential benefits of consuming one’s placenta include increased iron levels, reduced postpartum bleeding, balanced mood, increased energy level and milk supply, and decreased risk of postpartum mood disorders.

What is the evidence?

Unfortunately, we have no large body of evidence proving the benefits of placenta encapsulation. There is a large body of anecdotal evidence, and studies are in progress. We do, however, have evidence that placenta encapsulation is safe when done properly by a professional. Here are some articles that you may find helpful:

Placenta Ingestion Helps Alleviate Pain

Impact of Fatigue on the Development of PPD

Iron Supplements Decrease Fatigue*

Maternal Iron and Postpartum Emotions*

Effects of Placenta Ingestion on PP Iron Status*

17 Hormones in Encapsulated Placenta

14 Trace Minerals in Encapsulated Placenta

Placenta Ingestion Increases Prolactin Levels**

Placenta Ingestion Causes No Harm to Newborns

*The placenta is rich in bio-available iron

**Higher levels of prolactin increases milk production

Simple or steamed preparation?

Steaming prior to dehydration is the traditional method of placenta preparation, and is recommended for GBS+ parents, if meconium is present, and for parents who have a sensitivity to caffeine, anxiety, panic attacks, or insomnia. With the simple method, the placenta is not steamed prior to dehydration. This yields slightly more capsules, and those who choose it report a greater increase in energy over those who choose steamed preparation. With either method, the placenta is dehydrated at 160°F in order to prevent food-borne illness.

What about GBS?

Group Beta Strep is a bacteria you are tested for during pregnancy. It does not harm adults, but can cause life-threatening infections in newborns. Luckily, the standard treatment of IV antibiotics during labor has vastly decreased the incidence and severity of neonatal infections. If you received antibiotics during labor, I am happy to prepare your placenta with the method of your choice. If you did not, we are still able to encapsulate, but the placenta must be encapsulated with the steamed preparation.

What if I have a cesarean?

No problem at all, as long as the placenta is properly stored after delivery.

I don’t want to consume my placenta, what else can I do with it?

The placenta can be used to make prints and a cord keepsake, it can be buried to fertilize the soil for a plant, or donate it to help train HRD dogs serving our area! Contact Marissa for more information about this exciting opportunity with South Carolina K9 Search Team!

Placenta Encapsulation: $225

Includes: transport instructions, encapsulation, storage & consumption instructions, placenta print (if desired), and cord keepsake (if desired)

Flavored Capsules +$5

Although your finished capsules have no flavor and are simply swallowed with water like any other supplement, some clients appreciate the slight flavor provided by flavored capsules for additional peace of mind. Current flavors: strawberry, orange, mint.

Tincture +$10

Placenta tincture is another way to reap the benefits from the placenta after your capsules are gone. Tinctures are primarily used for energy, transition, stress, and hormone stabilization.

Salve +$15

Placenta salve can be used for healed cesarean incisions, hemorrhoids, perineal tearing, burns, diaper rash, eczema, sunburns, and other skin irritations.

Chocolates +$25

Nature's happy pill in chocolate form! 24 chocolates, available in milk or dark chocolate.

Truffles +$35

20-24 rich chocolate truffles infused with placenta powder. Available in Oreo, almond, pecan, hazelnut, raspberry, coconut, or peppermint.

Testimonials

“Marissa encapsulated my placenta and prepared a tincture. Such a great investment!! She came a few hours after I messaged her, and was amazing at explaining the process and gave us a little crash course on how the placenta functions. She is so knowledgeable and personable. She gave us a few colored impressions of the placenta and a cord keepsake. She offers a huge variety of options as well. I was able to choose a flavored capsule to make the pills easier to take, but she also offers chocolates and tinctures (I opted for a tincture in addition to my pills). She stays in touch to make sure the pills are doing their job and you don't need any dosage adjustments, which I very much appreciate! I am a little less than 2 weeks postpartum, and I feel that the pills helped me a ton with recovery and absolutely help with my energy levels, which is great because I have a very active toddler too. I am so satisfied with her services, and really glad I found her!!” -Natalie L.

“I hired Marissa to make my placenta pills. I can't begin to express how happy and comfortable she made us.This was my first time turning my placenta into pills. Marissa walked me through every step and was extremely knowledgeable about the process. I would hire her in a heartbeat if I have another child. She became more then just a doula but a friend. She would do check ups to make sure everything was going smoothly. Marissa goes above and beyond what's expected. She is kind, patient, and welcoming.” -Angelica L.

"[Marissa] is caring and professional and wonderful to work with. She communicates very effectively, always responded to me promptly and answered all of my questions clearly and in language I could easily understand. When she came to my home to encapsulate my placenta, she took great care to sanitize everything and explained every step of her process, and worked diligently to produce a high quality product. She was also very personable and wonderful with both of my children. I would absolutely recommend her to other expectant mothers because she is great to work with and her products are a valuable part of postpartum recovery." - Melissa F.