Gingerbee Babies
Providing prenatal, birth, and postpartum support in the Central Wisconsin area
Placenta Services
What is Placenta Encapsulation?
Placenta encapsulation is the process of taking a fresh placenta and transforming it into a shelf-stable supplement for the birthing person to ingest. This encapsulation process includes full dehydration of the placenta, powdering the placenta after dehydration, and then putting the powder into capsules for consumption. Placentophagy or the consumption of the placenta is a medical and health practice that has been documented numerous times throughout history and across many countries worldwide.
Powdered placenta has been used in many cultures worldwide for centuries and is rapidly increasing in popularity in the west. The benefits of placenta consumption are both emotional and physical. Mothers report they have had decreased - or even eliminated- occurrences of postpartum mood disorders, increased and enriched milk supply, and in increase in energy levels. Postpartum recovery is reported to be easier and faster with decreased lochia, a decrease in iron deficiency, and decreased insomnia and sleep disorders. Those who have had previous births without placentophagy say they can feel the significant difference in ease of recovery when taking their placenta pills and just feel better overall.
Benefits
Learn more about the healing benefits of your placenta here!
Some of the hormones that give the placenta its healing properties are:
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Oxytocin - reduces stress and supports milk supply
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Prostaglandins - helps to relieve pain and shrink uterus back to original size
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Hemoglobin - replenishes iron which restores energy & prevents anemia
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Urokinase - reduces bleeding & enhances wound healing
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Gamma globin - immune booster to help prevent postpartum infections.
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CRT (corticotropin-releasing hormone) - reduces stress
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TSH - boosts energy & helps to recover from stressful events
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Interferon - stimulates the immune system, protects against infection.
What to expect with Placenta Encapsulation Services
Communication
Placenta Pickup
Processing & Drop Off
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Contact via email, text, or phone about place of birth and answering any questions you may have
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Contract emailed to you & signed
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Payment made in full at time of signing and deposited after the service is complete.
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You decide if placenta processing happens in your kitchen or ours
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Contact me soon after your baby is born
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Put your placenta on ice as soon as possible and keep it in the room with you at all times.
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We will come pick up your placenta from your birth place.
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Placenta is processed with 72 hours of retrieval
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We will bring your placenta capsules, print, tincture, and cord keepsake to wherever you are (home or hospital) after they are completed
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I am always available by email or phone for any questions
You choose the method of Placenta Processing
Traditional Method
Derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine, this method is the oldest and most commonly used today. The placenta is rinsed before being gently steamed with warming ingredients such as ginger, lemon, and jalapeno. In the yin/yang philosophy the raw placenta is considered to be very yin (cold), therefore by steaming the placenta and adding warming elements we are adding yang (hot) energy that will help balance and nourish the postpartum person.
The placenta is then dehydrated and ground up into a fine powder before being placed into capsules. Steaming the placenta also has the benefit of killing any bacteria that may be present on the placenta.
This method can take from 24-48 hours.
Raw Method
Popular with raw foodists, this method is for those who are worried about losing nutrients through the steaming process. Those that have done a raw prep typically report bigger milk supplies, more energy, and less baby blues/depression symptoms. However, the raw prep can be too strong for some people; especially those that suffer anxiety around their menstrual cycle or with pregnancy. If you choose a raw prep method and your baby has meconium during labor we have to switch to the traditional route for safety reasons.
As in the Traditional method, the placenta is washed, then sliced and immediately put in the dehydrator at a low temperature of 116F. The theory behind the raw method is that drying the placenta at a low temperature maintains the integrity of the nutrients.
This method can take from 48-72 hours.
Services Offered & Pricing
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Placenta Encapsulation - $125
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Flavored (non-vegetarian) Capsules - $10
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Placenta Tincture - $15
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Placenta / Herbal Salve - $20
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Complimentary Placenta Print
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Complimentary Cord Keepsake
I'm a Little Safety Obsessed!
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Only one placenta is worked on at a time and I always follow proper refrigeration protocols.
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Safety is important and I am proud in how meticulous my cleanliness practice is.
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My work space and utensils are always disinfected with a hypochlorous acid solution to prevent contamination
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I have a current Food Handlers license from the department of health and am appropriately trained in food safety and contamination prevention.
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I am certified in blood-borne pathogens and infection control
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I have completed training adhering to OSHA standards
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out and ask. It's important to me that your mind is at ease.