Your placenta is irreplaceable.

You only get one chance to have it transported, stored, and prepared properly so obviously, you want to trust it to a true professional.

Due to the unregulated nature of our business, caution is import on the part of the consumer. As a dual trained, ProDoula Certified Postpartum Placenta Specialist, I am committed to being a part of the change that raises industry standards and protects new parents and babies when they seek placenta encapsulation services.

I have put together a list of the top 5 things you can ask placenta encapsulators to ensure you’re getting the safest service.

Tell me about your training/certification.

It’s important that your placenta encapsulator was trained in person. There’s a big difference between watching a recorded video of someone instructing something and doing it yourself, with your hands, with your trainer available for questions and pointers. Additionally, for the safety of everyone involved, your placenta encapsulator should have Blood Borne Pathogens Certification and follow food safety guidelines. I highly recommend you seek a ProDoula Placenta Prep trained Postpartum Placenta Specialist.

Where will you encapsulate my placenta?

placenta encapsulation in the client's home

The only answer you should accept is in your home. Why?

You know the capsules you are taking belong to you
There is no room for mix-ups
You won’t be exposed to unfamiliar contamination or allergens
You can be certain your placenta is prepared in a kitchen you’d be comfortable having your food prepared
You’ll have a birth professional at your service in those early days

I’ve heard too many terrible stories to count at this point in my career and most of them could be prevented by ensuring the placenta never leaves the family’s care. Protect yourself, and your baby, by keeping your placenta in your care and control.

How will my placenta be stored and transported?

This is another hard and fast one. To ensure your safety, your placenta must stay in your care and control. Your placenta encapsulator should provide guidelines for storage and transportation, be familiar with hospital/birth center policy and procedure. You and your family should transport the placenta home to be prepared. This, again, prevents mix-ups and ensures your placenta is cared for properly.

What method do you use to prepare my capsules?

It’s important that your placenta is steamed/cooked to a food safe temperature. The potential for bacteria exposure is great (especially in a hospital environment) and you want to know that your capsules are safe to ingest. Further, the placenta should also be dehydrated at a temperature of 160 degrees.

When placenta capsules are prepared using raw preparation methods, the risk for food poisoning is increased. Raw food preparation techniques call for dehydration temperatures of under 120 degrees, while food safety guidelines define the danger zone as 37-140 degrees. To prevent illness, your placenta should be steamed to an internal temperature 160 degrees to kill bacteria, prior to dehydrating at a temperature above 140 degrees.

How do you maintain and sanitize your equipment?

Soaking re-useable equipment in a commercial sanitizing solution or bleach solution is the superior method of sanitization. Your placenta encapsulator should sanitize all re-useable equipment between uses, wear personal protective equipment (including a mask, plastic apron, gloves, and hair covering), and monitor all equipment for signs or wear, replacing immediately.

Placenta encapsulation is safe and has been shown anecdotally to be effective at balancing postpartum moods and milk supply, replenishing nutrients, and improving postpartum recovery. The risks associated with placenta encapsulation are related to improper handling and preparation. With the above information, you’ll be prepared to find a professional Postpartum Placenta Specialist who will ensure you and your baby’s safety is their top priority.

Lacey Park is a leading Canadian expert on placenta encapsulation. A Certified Postpartum Placenta Specialist and owner of Chinook City Doulas, she has committed her career to improving birth and postpartum experiences for the families her agency works with.