Placenta Encapsulation with Megan
Your placenta transformed into a postpartum remedy as unique as you are.
Many people feel that taking their placenta in the form of pills supported their body and mind in the postpartum time.
We don’t have much data around this practice, but anecdotal evidence tells us that potential benefits of placenta encapsulation may include:
elevated mood (this benefit may be especially important to you if you have a history of anxiety, depression, or other mood challenges)
increased milk supply
more energy and less fatigue
faster healing after birth
Read more here or here to learn about the purported benefits of ingesting your placenta.
As a certified placenta specialist with high standards for safety and hygiene practices, it is my privilege to offer this service for people who feel it would be supportive for them. (I’m not here to convince everyone to eat their placenta!)
While not for everyone, this practice can be another way to plan for a positive postpartum experience if it feels right for you!
Rates
Placenta Encapsulation Package: $275
Includes:
Placenta capsules (choice of flavor)
Placenta tincture
Convenient transport kit
Pick up and delivery within our service area
Bonus (if desired):
Complementary art print of your placenta
What the logistics look like:
Reach out. Submit an inquiry form. I’ll let you know if I have availability for your due date, and answer any initial questions you have.
Reserve your spot & pay your deposit. Fill out the registration form, sign the agreement, and submit your non-refundable deposit.
Receive your transport kit. I’ll mail you a convenient transport kit closer to your due date. Included is information about safe storage of your placenta so you can take good care of it before I pick it up after birth.
The big day! Check in with me when you are in labor and after your baby arrives. I will arrange to pick up your placenta. My normal pick-up hours are 9am-7pm.
Placenta pick up & final payment. I will pick up your placenta from your birthplace. Final payment is due at this time - I will email you a convenient invoice you can pay online.
Receive your package. I will drop off your placenta products a few days after picking up your placenta. This will be a quick visit, maybe 5-10 minutes to answer any questions you have. I don’t recommend starting to take your placenta capsules before 5 days postpartum.
Continued support. Reach out if you have any questions about your placenta capsules or tincture. I’m also happy to offer additional resources/referrals as needed to support your postpartum journey.
Service Area
Placenta services include pick-up and delivery service within our Pittsburgh area.
We pick-up and deliver to the following areas of Pittsburgh (shaded on map):
North Hills
East End and eastern suburbs
Downtown
South Hills
West Hills and the airport area
Pickup available at the following birthing facilities:
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
Forbes Hospital
Jefferson Hospital
West Penn Hospital
AHN Wexford Hospital
The Midwife Center
St. Clair Hospital
About the tincture
A tincture made of high-proof alcohol and a little bit of raw placenta will be shelf stable for years to come.
The tincture will take about 6 weeks to fully dissolve so you can begin using it. Some of the uses and anecdotal benefits of a placenta tincture include:
Relieving PMS symptoms
Relieving menstrual cramps and pain
Boosting energy
Promoting calm during times of stress
Reducing menopause symptoms (yes, some people keep their placenta tinctures until menopause!)
If your baby has a uterus, they can use this tincture to help ease puberty symptoms when the time comes
Some people feel that the tincture preparation is more potent than placenta capsules
Remember to swirl your tincture a few times a week to help it dissolve faster!
I also offer a “just the tincture” placenta package option. If you want to skip the capsules and get 2 bottles of tincture instead, this might be for you!
“Just the Tincture” package: $175
Includes everything in the regular package except capsules
Remember: this option can’t be taken immediately after birth because the tincture needs time to “extract.” You can begin taking the tincture after the placenta inside has dissolved, usually around 6 weeks if you swirl it a few times a week during that extraction time.
Placenta Preparation Methods
Dehydrated Only (most popular)
The dehydrated only method means the placenta is dehydrated with medium heat (this is my default preparation method)
Cons:
If you tested positive for Group B Strep or you had a fever during labor, and you did not receive antibiotics during labor, this method is not recommended.
Pros:
More capsules (usually 2+ months’ worth)
Some believe this method yields a higher nutritional content
Steamed & Dehydrated
The steamed and dehydrated method involves steaming the placenta prior to completing the same dehydration process.
Pros:
The steamed method follows Traditional Chinese Medicine principles of using warming energy to balance the loss of heat that comes with the birth and postpartum time.
Clients who are also working with a TCM practitioner (acupuncturist or herbalist) can ask their practitioner for a custom herbal blend that can be added into the steaming process for additional support.
Cons:
Steaming prior to dehydration causes the placenta to lose mass, which means you will receive a lower number of placenta capsules
Must get herbal recommendation from a practitioner if you want to include them (I will not add anything to your placenta unless prescribed by an herbalist or Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner)
Tincture Only
In this preparation method, a raw piece of placenta is placed in high-proof alcohol and will be shelf-stable for years (if stored properly). No capsules are provided.
Cons:
Since the tincture takes about 6 weeks to be ready, you won’t be able to take advantage of it in the immediate postpartum time
The tincture needs to be swirled a few times a week during that approximately 6 week period. I recommend keeping it in a visible place so you remember to do it often.
Tincture needs to be stored properly (away from sunlight and moisture) to ensure shelf-stability
Pros:
If you have trouble swallowing capsules, taking drops of tincture under your tongue may be easier
Some people feel that tincture is a more potent preparation than capsules
Costs less than encapsulating your placenta
Certifications & Training
Your safety is my first priority!
I completed a thorough training apprenticeship with an experienced placenta specialist to learn how to properly handle and encapsulate placentas.
I hold the following safety certifications:
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Certification (repeated every year)
Pennsylvania Food Handler’s Card
Safety and Infection Prevention and Control Certification
I also have years of experience and continuing education as a birth doula and childbirth educator, supporting growing families since 2014.
Safety Practices
I want you to feel completely comfortable entrusting me with your placenta.
How I ensure your protection:
Placentas are prepared in a dedicated space
I have a special space for placenta processing. That space is never shared with food preparation or used for any other purpose.
Cleaning protocols meet or exceed OSHA standards
All materials and surfaces are thoroughly disinfected between clients. Some equipment is single-use and disposed of after being used for one placenta (although I try to limit these out of environmental conscientiousness).
Placentas are always processed at safe temperature
To reach the highest standard of food safety, dehydrated placentas reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees. I use a food-grade meat thermometer to verify each placenta has reached the proper temperature during the dehydrating process.
Only 1 placenta in process at a time
You can rest assured knowing you will receive your own placenta in capsules! I only process one placenta at a time to ensure there is absolutely no chance of a mix-up, and your placenta is labeled from start to finish.
In order to limit the chance of overlap, I take a limited number of clients each month. This helps to ensure that each placenta can be processed in a timely manner. Placentas can be safety refrigerated for 3-4 days after birth before the encapsulation process begins, so we do have a bit of a cushion if needed.
Personal protective equipment is used every time I interact with your placenta
I wear an N-95 face mask, nitrile gloves (never latex), and a protective apron.
FAQs about Pittsburgh placenta encapsulation
How should I store the placenta until you pick it up?
If you are birthing in a hospital or at The Midwife Center, a nurse will place your placenta in a plastic container or bag. We will provide you will a transport kit that includes an insulated tote bag and two gallon-sized bags to fill up with ice. You can place your placenta into the tote bag, add the sealed gallon bags full of ice, and then zip the tote bag closed. The ice will need to be changed every 4-6 hours until pick-up.
What if you are already processing another placenta when I give birth?
We will still coordinate pick-up of your placenta as normal. When I get your placenta to my home, I will keep it refrigerated. It can be safely stored for up to 72 hours after birth. Your placenta will be refrigerated until the first placenta is completed and a full disinfecting process has taken place.
How many capsules will I get?
It depends! Every placenta is different - some are smaller and some are larger, and factors like gestational age or multiples can change things significantly. The average number of capsules in my practice is around 175, but that number has varied from 60 to 200+.
What kind of capsules are available?
By default I use unflavored gelatin capsules. But you can also choose lightly flavored gelatin capsules (I usually have strawberry, orange, and coffee) or unflavored vegan capsules. All capsules are gluten free. If you have any other questions about the capsule options or dietary restrictions, just let me know!
Do the capsules or tincture have an unpleasant taste?
I haven’t personally tasted placenta capsules or tincture, so I can’t speak from experience. Some clients have shared that the capsules taste somewhat similar to dessicated liver supplements. If you are worried about the taste of the capsules, I recommend trying one of the flavored capsule options. They are lightly flavored, but the hint of something more familiar may be helpful for you.
For the tincture I use rum or brandy instead of vodka in hopes to add a more pleasant taste.
How should I take the tincture?
Once your tincture is ready (usually takes around 6 weeks), you can take 8-10 drops per day under your tongue. Some people like to take it all at once each day, others spread it out over 2-3 smaller “doses” during the day. Remember to swirl your tincture frequently in the first 6 weeks or so postpartum to encourage it to dissolve!
What should I do with the placenta print?
Whatever you want! If you want to keep it, I recommend laminating it or spraying it with a fixative to protect it. (And since it is a blood product, you may want to keep it away from any pets just in case.) You could also just take a picture of it and toss the original print. Totally up to you!
Is there any danger of your pets being around my placenta?
No. I have a dedicated space for processing placentas that is completely protected from my pets. All surfaces and materials used in the process are either single-use or thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before each encapsulation so you can be sure there is no risk of contamination.
What if I have an induction or a c-section?
For the most part, the events of your labor and birth won’t affect this process. Inductions and cesarean births in and of themselves do not exclude you from being able to encapsulate your placenta.
What if I tested positive for Group B Strep (GBS)?
If you were GBS positive during pregnancy and you received antibiotics during labor, I can still encapsulate your placenta and you can choose whichever preparation method you’d like. If you were GBS positive during pregnancy but you didn’t receive antibiotics during labor, I can still process your placenta but I ask you to please choose either the Steamed & Dehydrated preparation method or the Tincture-Only preparation.
NOTE: Some hospitals (including Magee) do not allow patients to take home their placenta at all if they are GBS positive, regardless of whether antibiotics were given. In this case, you will not owe the balance of your invoice.
What if I am outside your service area?
I’m happy to provide placenta services for folks outside my service area, as long as you can take care of the transportation. If a loved one can drop off your placenta to my location in Forest Hills on the east side of Pittsburgh and then pick up your finished placenta pills from the same location, no problem. Plus I’ll give you a discount for doing the driving!
Are there any side effects?
Some people do report experiencing side effects when taking placenta pills, usually mild to moderate in severity.
These can include:
Too much energy
Too much milk (oversupply)
Mastitis or clogged ducts (often related to oversupply)
Not enough milk (undersupply)
Burps with an unpleasant taste
Feeling more weepy or moody
Uterine cramping
Headaches
Brain fog
If you start to notice these or any other side effects, you can stop taking the capsules.
And of course, please contact your care provider if you are concerned - I am not a medical professional and no information I provide to you should be construed as medical advice.
Disclaimer
Riverbend Birth’s services have not been evaluated by the FDA. These services are not meant to avoid, treat, or diagnose any symptoms or disease. Clients who choose to use our services assume all risks and benefits to their own health when researching and using the services we offer.
Riverbend Birth is not a medical body and does not claim to treat, cure, or relieve any symptoms during pregnancy, birth, or after birth. We recommend that you seek advice from your doctor, midwife, or other licensed medical professional if you have any health problems or concerns during this time period.