What is a placenta and how does it function?

The placenta is a remarkable, one-of-a-kind organ. It’s used once during each pregnancy, is expelled after delivery, and then forms anew with every subsequent pregnancy. Through the umbilical cord it supplies the developing baby with blood, nutrients, oxygen, minerals and hormones. The placenta produces all of the baby’s hormones and takes on the majority of the mother’s hormone production as well, which substantially downregulates her hypothalamus. After the placenta is delivered, much of the mother’s hormones leave the body with it, which can lead to sudden shifts in how she feels. She may feel:

• hot

• cold

• shaky

• irritable

• sweating

• sleep disturbances

• elaborate dreams

• postpartum depression (PPD), postpartum anxiety (PPA), Postpartum rage (PPR)
  

What are the benefits of placenta encapsulation?

Though relatively new to Western culture, placenta consumption has been practiced in many societies around the world for centuries. Encapsulation is the contemporary method of preparing the placenta for consumption. As more families seek placenta specialists and new providers with varied skill levels enter the field, placenta encapsulation has become rapidly more common. Reported benefits experienced after encapsulation include (but are not limited to):

• Increased Energy- one of the most commonly reported benefits. The placenta retains nutrients like vitamins, minerals, B6, B12 and iron, consuming it can help support your body’s natural postpartum re-regulation by providing those nutrients.

• Decreased PPD/PPA/PPR- As mentioned earlier, about 80% of women experience postpartum mood concerns—ranging from mild to severe depression, anxiety, or intense irritability. For many clients who’ve faced these issues themselves or seen them in loved ones, the primary reason for placenta encapsulation is to prevent or reduce the severity of PPD, PPA, or PPR.

• Help Fight Infection-Gamma globulin and interferon are two components retained in placenta that help the mother’s body fight infection as she heals from the large wound the placenta leaves in the uterus—about the size of a dinner plate.

• Stimulate Milk Production-Oxytocin and prolactin stimulate milk production. Studies show they significantly speed the onset of a mother’s milk and help her maintain a healthy supply.

• Assist in the Reinstatement of the Uterus- Oxytocin (the “love hormone”) helps the uterus contract and return to its pre-pregnancy size.

• Decrease Instances of Postpartum Hemorrhage- another amazing effect of Oxytocin.

• Decrease in Pain & Swelling-Hormones like prostaglandins, derived from fatty acids, reduce inflammation in the body and alter the pain signals sent to the brain.

• Decreased Stress & Regulate Sleep- A rise in CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone) helps reduce stress and supports deeper, higher-quality sleep.

Are there negative effects with encapsulation?

The most commonly reported unwanted effect is feeling jittery or “shaky,” similar to having had too much caffeine. This can often be resolved by reducing the number of capsules or spacing them out more. Individual responses vary, so you won’t know exactly how the capsules will affect you until you try them.

Some women with underlying health conditions may experience more serious or unpleasant reactions, including new or worsening symptoms of postpartum depression, anxiety, or related mood disorders. If you notice any new or worsening symptoms—or any other concerning side effects—stop taking the capsules and contact your care provider right away.

Though it is rare, mothers who took high doses or progesterone during her pregnancy may experience a reduction in breastmilk production.

Can I encapsulate if I am positive for GBS?

Yes — these conditions do not automatically rule out encapsulation. Please inform our placenta encapsulation specialist if Group B Strep, an STI, or meconium was present at birth. For microbial concerns, I perform a double apple-cider vinegar bath before beginning preparation. I recommend the TCM preparation for clients in these circumstances, though it remains optional.

What prevents me from encapsulating?

The only situation in which I will not encapsulate a placenta is when a confirmed infection is present. Usually this is suspected when a woman has a very high fever during labor that continues after birth. In those cases, the hospital will often send a portion of the placenta to pathology to test for infection.

An infection cannot be confirmed without pathology results. If your care provider says the placenta is infected, I strongly encourage you to request pathology confirmation. Do not allow the entire placenta to be sent to the lab — I cannot guarantee chain of custody or rule out cross-contamination there. Too often a placenta submitted for testing never returns.

If testing is needed, ask the lab tech to take a sample from the mother’s side of the placenta while it’s in your room; that provides more than enough tissue for analysis and keeps the rest of the placenta with you.

How do I properly store my Placenta?

Your placenta must be put on ice or into a refrigerator no more than 4 hours postpartum. Bring the following with you to the hospital:

• 2 one-gallon sized Ziploc baggies*

• a small DISPOSABLE cooler*

• permanent marker to label your cooler and ziplock bags

*For hygiene, a hard-sided cooler cannot be returned to you once it’s used to transport a placenta. Please use a disposable cooler. Dollar Tree carries the right size year-round. Some facilities put the placenta in a plastic tub with a lid; others provide nothing, so bring sealed baggies as a backup.

Double-bag the placenta in the one-gallon Ziploc bags to prevent leaks. Put at least 2 inches of ice in the bottom of a cooler, set the placenta on top, then cover it with another 2 inches of ice. Replace the ice every 4–6 hours or as needed, for up to 72 hours. After 72 hours, remove the placenta from the cooler or refrigerator, place it into the two one-gallon Ziploc bags (if not already), and freeze it deeply — not in the freezer door but toward the back — for up to one year.

Once the placenta is secured (placed in the Ziplocs/container, inside the disposable cooler, packed with ice and in your possession), you or your support person must CALL me (phone call only; not a text) to let me know it’s ready for pickup.

If you are a nationwide shipping client, a placenta collection kit with clear, step-by-step instructions will arrive by mail at about 36 weeks of pregnancy. Please follow the instructions in the kit carefully.

Can I let the hospital store my placenta for me?

I strongly recommend that you keep your placenta with you at all times. Once it leaves your possession, it is often impossible to recover. Some hospitals sell placentas for significant sums, and not all facilities support a parent keeping their placenta for personal use.

Do I tell my doctor I am encapsulating my placenta?

That choice is yours and can depend on your relationship with your care provider. I recommend a simple, confident statement: “Just so you know, I am keeping my placenta.” Stating it as a fact is generally more effective than asking for permission.

When you arrive at the birth site, tell your nurse, “I am keeping my placenta—please add that to my chart.” Getting it documented in your medical record helps prevent mix-ups and makes it less likely the placenta will be misplaced.

If anyone questions you or pushes back, call me right away—I am available by phone 24/7/365 and will support you in advocating for your wishes.

Can I encapsulate a placenta after a lotus birth?

For sanitary reasons, I am unable to encapsulate a placenta after a lotus birth

Do you offer payment plans?

A non-refundable deposit is required when you submit your order form: $75 for local clients or $150 for clients choosing nationwide shipping. After I receive your order form and deposit, I will send an itemized invoice. On the day you deliver, once I’ve confirmed the placenta is secured and ready for transport, the final payment request will be sent through the same platform you used to pay the deposit. I strongly recommend submitting that invoice to your private insurance for possible reimbursement of the encapsulation cost.

Payment plans are available throughout your pregnancy and can be divided into 2, 3, or 4 payments. Any remaining balance is due at the time of delivery. If you’d like, I will set up a payment plan for the remainder of your pregnancy upon request. You will receive payment requests through your preferred payment platform according to the schedule we agree on at the time services are secured. The final request for any remaining balance will be sent on the day of delivery.

We offer a 5% discount to military veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, and Medicaid recipients. Upload your current ID or proof of status in the designated spot on the order form; once verified, your discount code will appear. Enter that code in the coupon box at the end of the form to apply the discount.

If you are a mother facing financial hardship, please contact Kelli Stone directly at (940) 230-6690 to discuss options for obtaining services.

The following payment platforms are most commonly accepted:

• Zelle

• Cash App

• Apple Cash

If you are a local client and would like to pay your remaining balance in cash, notify me at the time you submit your order form.

I can accept credit card payments via the Square app. Please note a $10 processing fee will be added to the total balance owed.

What is your service area?

I’m based in Mountain View, Arkansas. Local service extends up to 100 miles or about a 2-hour drive from Mountain View; addresses beyond that are considered non-local clients. For clients outside of the service radius there are three options I have for you to utilize my services.

1. For an additional mileage fee, I can pick up placentas up to 50 miles beyond my regular service area.

   -1-25 miles outside of service radius= $75.00 additional

   -26-50 miles outside of service radius= $125.00 additional

2. For no additional fee, your support person can meet me within the service radius with the cooler and the placenta.

3. You can utilize the nationwide shipping program.