Are you considering placenta encapsulation? Many families do, but they are not sure how to find or choose the person who will do the work of processing their placenta. Here are 10 questions that will help you make a great decision for your happy (and safe) postpartum!
- Do you use bleach or other approved OSHA cleaning substances before, during and after placenta processing?
The answer should ALWAYS be yes. Essential oils or other cleaners that may be great for general household cleaning will not properly sanitize an area for placenta preparation.
- Where will you processing my placenta? Can I choose the method used for processing as well?
There are pros and cons to the various locations for placenta processing and your circumstances and preferences will dictate which is the best choice for you. At Great Expectations, we are more than happy to discuss these pros and cons with you to help you decide which option is best. We do offer raw and Traditional Medicine processing options.Once again, there are pros and cons but the choice is up to you. 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.
- Have you taken a bloodborne pathogens class? Do you carry a Food Handler’s license?
The answer to both these questions should be yes!
- How will my placenta be transported safely to and from where I deliver?
The answer to this question will depend on where your placenta is being processed. Your specialist 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.
At Great Expectations, if you book our services prior to 38 weeks, we will send you a Transportation Kit that will help your provider pack the placenta safely so that it can be safely transported. We partner with a medical courier service so that your placenta can always be picked up quickly when you call our on-call number.
- Can I contact you after I have started taking my pills if I have other questions?
You will want this option in case you have an questions or concerns. Your encapsulator can help you find the resources you might need during your postpartum such as assistance with lactation or a therapist.
- What is your training? Are you certified?
There are several ways to certify and some of the older specialists trained via apprenticeships. Whatever the answer, you will want to ensure the person taking care of your placenta is well trained and certified with the accountability of a certification organization backing them up!
- 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. (We have done around 1300 as we write this in Spring 2018.)
- What equipment do you use? How is it cleaned and how is it stored?
Different specialists use different items. Most will be using a dehydrator and some sort of grinder along with an encapsulating machine. As with the first question about the use of cleaning agents, you will want to know that all equipment is cleaned before and after each placenta and that it is stored somewhere away from pets and children. Great Expectations uses mostly disposable processing items and disposable personal protection equipment because new items are guaranteed to be clean vs. items that are just cleaned each time. Asking about disposable items vs. re-used items might be something you ask about.
- Is there anything that would prevent you from processing my placenta?
There are some infections that occur during labor or postpartum that prevent placenta encapsulation. Instructions conern 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.
- Can you tell me about your placenta encapsulation work space? Who else has access to the work space?
If the specialist is processing in their work space you may feel more comfortable asking about the workspace and finding out who else might have access to the space and thus be close to your placenta. Obviously children, meal prep and pets would be the biggest concerns. Most specialists love to talk about their space, it is a spot where we enjoy spending time!
If you have other questions about placenta services or postpartum, we’d love to help!